After 19 years of public service, independent Richmond city councillor Evelina Halsey-Brandt is hanging up her political gloves.
"After a great deal of consideration I have decided not to seek re-election as a city councillor in the upcoming municipal election in November,” said Halsey-Brandt.
After retiring in February from her job as a nursing unit assistant Halsey-Brandt said she came to realize she wanted a full retirement. She will now focus on her golden years, golfing and travelling with husband (and former mayor) Greg Halsey-Brandt as well as her children and grandchildren.
Eventually, she said, she hopes to continue volunteering in the community.
Her departure means an end to 33 years of Halsey-Brandt representation on Richmond City Council: Greg had been a councillor or mayor, off and on, since 1981 and his ex-spouse Sue Halsey-Brandt also served as a councillor.
Halsey-Brandt, who served as a councillor from 1990 to 1996 and then from 2001 to present, thanked city staff and her political colleagues and listed a number of issues she said she was proud to be a part of.
“The Terra Nova Park, the No. 2 Road Bridge, the Official Community Plan, the Social Development Strategy, the Canada Line, the Richmond Olympic Oval, the Agricultural Viability Strategy, the new City Centre Community Centre, several new child care centres and the Public Art Program are just a few that come to mind as I reflect on the many positive changes that I have had the opportunity to be involved with,” she said.
She said one of the biggest challenges as a councillor was meeting people’s expectations.
“Trying to ensure people understood the parameters of which council had to work. The expectation is, sometimes, that we can do things we don’t have the legal authority to do,” she said, noting federal and provincial downloading has made it even more difficult to find solutions.
She acknowledged the city is growing too fast and defended her positions over the years on various developments being approved.
She said as long as buildings fell within the parameters of the Official Community Plan (which she approved), she let them pass. But when they didn’t, she said she was very vocal in her opposition, such as in the Ironwood area and the Riverport condominium developments.
Halsey-Brandt said the city will continue to need to address housing affordability, however possible.
“I despair for that. My own kids can’t afford to live here,” she said.
She said it’s high time the provincial and federal governments do something about foreign ownership of homes that render them empty, thus deteriorating neighbourhood cohesion.
“If you’re going to buy a residential property and not live there at least six months then I’d like to tax the hell out of you,” she said.
“We’re not willing to face up to (foreign ownership) because we’re too scared of being labeled discriminatory”
She said changing the current structure of council would be a good idea.
“I think term limits are healthy and Richmond ought to have a ward system.
Many places are different and unless you talk to people there and shop there you don’t know what’s going on,” said Halsey-Brandt.
Moving forward, she said more casino revenues ought to be put toward social programs.
“If we have the ability to assist, it’s a moral responsibility to do so. One of the reasons I voted for the casino is I knew the money would come in and we would benefit,” she said.
As one of the more vocal members of the current city council, Halsey-Brandt, this year, has persistently demanded more amenity dollars from Onni Group in order to rezone the Steveston Boardwalk development (Imperial Landing).
She believes the developer will hold out until after the election, to see if there are new councillors that are more “favourable” to its proposals.
“Give me 10 million bucks and you’ll get your retail there. With the (rezoning) uplift you get you’re still gonna make a mint on it,” she said.
Halsey-Brandt said some city councillors need to start giving straight answers to straight questions.
Her departure opens the door for a new city councillor. Four of the seven incumbent candidates have served on council for 15 years.
