Candidate for the Offices of Councillor and Islands Trustee
Terry Cotter, BSc.
Terryrc567@gmail.com, 778-847-3243
I’m hoping to return to Council.
Many people will know my wife Sue and I from our 13 years of ownership at the Bowen Island Pub, and Liquor Store, from 1992 – 2005.
I believed my business was supposed to be an in-person community-building engine. Other pub owners thought I was nuts putting in so much time. As I came to know people, I received requests to help projects outside our walls. I loved it.
In 1993 – 95 I became Coordinator for the Bowfest event. I recruited so many fabulous volunteers to revive the festival, and the musical bookings were the annual focus of anticipation.
Find more career, community, and government background at www.HeartsLegacy.ca/Terry.
I love soccer. When I moved here, I reserved gym time with the rec center, and I placed Undercurrent ads to attract players to join me. I played basketball by myself for the first 2 weeks.
Three years later we started turning away indoor soccer registrations, and I was inviting Vancouver men’s teams to come play on the school field. I remember Bob’s pre-game routine with soil and shovel in his wheelbarrow; filling holes kids had made in the field.
Shiela called to ask, if she helped me out, would I coach some kids after school once a week? 30 kids showed up.
Now, thanks to John Reid, Burns Jennings, and others, the community has that little patch of soccer turf in use every day, by kids, and by co-ed adult leagues. The momentum led to the Bowen Island Football Club. I love to think about it.
There is a theme here. I hope you spotted it. If we want something to happen, we need to get out there and participate.
In 1998, as President of the Chamber, I was appointed by my peers to become Chair of the 14-member Governance Restructure Study Committee that led to the Municipality in 1999. I became elected to Council in 2002-05.
In those years my peers appointed me to represent them at various inter-government negotiation and policy tables. It was an intense but enjoyable period here, at Victoria, and at the Metro Vancouver Board.
Why am I running?
Since the day I moved back, conversations always seem to return to this Council topic.
This place hijacked my heart, and my dedication many years ago. Even when we were away, we were always still connected to the people and the place.
I had a hand in that municipal change, and I still feel responsibility. I still feel the optimism and hope that we had then. To be proactive and pragmatic. To create win/win solutions for the betterment of the community.
I want to help our team stay on that track. I’m never entrenched or captured. I’m persuadable if I measure a beneficial community balance, and where there isn’t I will send it back.
That’s the way we thought it could be. Help me do that for you.