Joan Hansen is one of the Delta council candidates running in this month's civic election. Here are her responses to a questionnaire from the Optimist:
1. Bio – Tell readers a bit about yourself and why you are running for office.
Joan Hansen has lived for 35 years in Tsawwassen working as a Doctor of Optometry. She has been active in her Optometry profession by serving as president of both the BC and Canadian Associations. Locally Joan served 6 years on the Delta police Board, as well as Tsawwassen BIA, Rotary, Reach, Kinsmen Foundation, and Chamber. She’s ready for Delta Council.
2. Most pressing issue – What issue are you most passionate about and what action will you take on it?
Most pressing issue here in Delta at this time is the lack of family doctors. I hear this regularly in my Optometry exam room. Many local GPs have retired in the last 5 years or so, and younger ones have not moved in to replace them. Delta also has an ageing population that actually needs more than average health care coverage. I vow to find innovative ways and means to attract new medical doctors here to care for Delta’s citizens.
3. Housing – Delta’s housing stock, developed largely in the 1960s and 1970s, is under pressure. What are your plans to ensure there are affordable housing options and what will you do to protect the integrity of existing neighbourhoods?
Housing. I will listen to innovative ideas for ways to change our house stock from large lot/large home single family homes to smaller footprint and smaller house size entry level and seniors "age in place" stock. Let's try to keep our valuable seniors and our young people both here in Delta - both groups have much to offer to us a community.
4. Marijuana – The legalization of marijuana in Canada has created a number of issues for local government. Do you have concerns over where cannabis could be grown and where it could be sold in Delta?
Cannabis - I hope to see Cannabis crops under glass and inside warehouses as it currently is, leaving our farmland to grow food. Options for sale will have to follow provincial rules, and be debated by the community and council.
5. Lobby for bridge/crossing – The City of Delta has been an outspoken advocate for a new Fraser River crossing, specifically the 10-lane bridge approved by the former Liberal government. Would your administration continue to advocate for the bridge or do you support a different approach?
Tunnel fix - I just want the bottleneck fixed as soon as possible and with an option that preserves the maximum farm land. I envision the new option containing much improved public transit options to allow delta citizens, and all others, to more often "leave the car at home."
6. Casino – Delta council’s approval of Gateway’s casino proposal was not without controversy. With construction poised to begin soon, what do you plan to do with casino revenues and what measures do you plan to take to ensure a casino isn’t a negative impact on the community?
Casino revenues should be directed to improving our supply of family physicians. Also it could be used to improve recreational resources. Tourism could also be a beneficiary. Keeping the negative impact out will require increasing the police presence - new officers.
