Mawhinney looks back to this previous year in Area C, and looking a head to 2024

Roy L Hales/ Cortes Currents - Robyn Mawhinney has learned a lot since she was elected Regional Director almost 14 months ago. As we enter into yet another new year, she gave her reflections 2023 and what is ahead for Area C in the coming months.

“I’m really pleased that there are new avenues for having community voices heard and included in decision making,” she began.

“Area C now has an Advisory Planning Commission, with nine members. They represent diverse geographies across Area C, from Read Island to Granite Bay and across Quadra Island, and demographics, and as well different business interests. I really appreciate that folks were willing to step up and volunteer for a role like this.”  

“There is an Outer Islands Fire Brigade steering committee, with three members each from Sonora Island and Read Island.”

“The Surge Narrows Revitalization Project Committee had a meeting with SRD staff and myself.”

“Having local residents directly involved in providing input on these projects and communicating with SRD staff will support better outcomes, outcomes which will benefit the residents. So I'm really pleased that there are new and improved avenues for community consultation and inclusion.”  
“One of my goals has been relationship building through clear communication. Every two weeks, I write a director's report which is published locally and also shared with email subscribers. I've had a fair amount of positive feedback on it, and I feel like my consistent reporting could go in the achievement column if you're making columns for these kinds of things.”

CC: What have been the challenges this past year?

Robyn Mawhinney: “Something I have definitely learned, and been learning in the last year is what some staff have referred to as the speed of government. Many of the projects that I've been working on are still in progress.”

“You asked me about the challenges, and I think sometimes that challenges are opportunities in disguise. There's been a lot of learning, stepping into the role of director, learning the details of how all the processes work, and building relationships with colleagues, staff, other electeds, and constituents.”

“I think it's interesting when I talk to staff who have been in their roles for decades and they say they are still consistently learning because there are so many situations that are unique and require novel considerations.”

“There's lots of things in progress.”

“I'm not sure 2024 is going to resolve housing, but it's definitely a key issue for Area C, the regional district and our country.”