Q & A with city council candidates: is Revelstoke’s cultural fabric being changed by tourism-related growth and development?

The Revelstoke Mountaineer’s question and answer series with city council candidates covers a wide-variety of issues that are likely to be central to the upcoming municipal election on Oct. 20, 2018. The series features verbatim answers written by the candidates themselves. The questions were created by the Mountaineer’s civic affairs reporter Melissa Jameson and former Revelstoke Review editor Alex Cooper.

In this second edition of the Mountaineer’s question and answer series with city council candidates we asked council candidates to consider the following:

Do you feel the cultural fabric of Revelstoke is being changed by tourism-related growth and development? What concerns do you have around this? Do you see a way for Revelstoke to move forward while maintaining a historical connection to our more “blue collar” roots (e.g. railroad, forestry sectors as economic drivers)?

The following are the responses from the candidates who got back to us prior to our publication deadline.

Steve Kent (candidate for council)

Steve Kent is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Keri Knapp.

When I moved to Revelstoke in 2002, I felt more welcomed here than in any other community I have ever lived in. People who were then strangers helped me unload my belongings and many folks called out “Welcome to Revelstoke” as they walked or cycled by. There was even a bagpipe festival in town, so I was “piped in” (sort of).

While much of Revelstoke’s charm comes from its history and connection to its blue collar roots, the town has changed significantly and irrevocably with the development of the ski resort. We are now a recognized tourist destination that draws people from all over the world to experience the beauty and recreational opportunities offered by our community. Although this is definitely a cultural shift, I don’t see it as a cause for concern so much as an adventure to be embraced.

As we move forward, change is inevitable. I hope we maintain the “Welcome to Revelstoke” approach that I experienced 16 years ago.

Tony Morabito is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Tony Morabito.

Tony Morabito (candidate for council)

Certainly the cultural fabric of Revelstoke is being changed as it has many times in the past 66 years that I have lived in Revelstoke, just this time it is happening much more quickly. Besides the detractions the positive aspects are that the community is filling up with many young energetic people of diverse ethnic groups some of which are making Revelstoke their home and adding to the community’s character. I particularly enjoy hearing the different accents and seeing young women pushing baby buggies because there in lies the future of this community. I like to believe there is room in for industry,recreation and tourism to co-exist and certainly would not favour one industry over the other. I’d like to draw your attention to the Intergrated Forest Management Model instituted by BCTS on mt McPherson where Logging,Mountain biking,Nordic skiing as well as Hiking,Fishing and Mushroom picking co-exist.

Steven Cross (candidate for council)

Steve Cross is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Steve Cross.

This question implies that our traditional industries are no longer important and I don’t see it that way. My conviction is we need our forestry, hydro and rail to become stronger while also growing our tourism, our start-ups in tech, our streetfront and home-based businesses too. Revelstoke deserves a greater destiny than to become a copy of other resort towns. The culture of Revelstoke can remain diverse and truly mountain authentic if we act to ensure it does.

This relates to our OCP which has two parts – philosophy laying out our core values – who we are and what we want to be – and technical laying out land use and priorities. The first is our values based decision-making model while the second is our strategic plan for making it happen.

Talking with people I get the sense that the values part is as true as ever but that the technical part is badly out of date, out of touch, and needing urgent attention to be useful. This is essential work for the next council to provide governance on for without that we just have development rather than the development we truly want. The implications for culture and destiny are huge.

Nicole Cherlet (candidate for council)

Nicole Cherlet is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Nicole Cherlet.

The cultural fabric of all communities is changing right now; we don’t get to turn off that tap.

Revelstoke, with its incredible scenery and balanced economy, is uniquely poised to show how tourism can be a healthy part of a thriving community. Forestry, Railroad as well as Hydro, Parks, and a host of other businesses that service residents more so than tourists, are the backbone of Revelstoke.

My store rides that line; I sell housewares, mostly to customers who live within a few hours drive. People from all over the world still wander through and pick up little things, so we get to chat. They appreciate the authenticity of our city, especially when compared to other destination resorts that don’t have that same balance of industry.

I believe the bigger challenge facing our Cultural Fabric is getting people to participate and connect in their own community. Our societies are suffering due to lack of volunteers. Our events and downtown shops appeal to the tourists, but there are some residents who “haven’t been downtown in 5 years”.

I invite you all to join us downtown for Luna; a cultural experience that is uniquely Revelstoke. Let’s get to know each other again.

Jackie Rhind (candidate for council)

Jackie Rhind is running for a spot on Revestoke city council. Photo: Jackie Rhind

I do think that the cultural fabric of Revelstoke is being changed by tourism-related growth and development but I don’t think it’s all bad. This shift is inevitable so we can’t just shut down or resist this change, instead we have to focus on responsible growth. Yes, our town’s identity is changing from its roots in forestry and railroad and of course it is important to remember and retain that history but now more than ever, people travel from all over the world to enjoy our world-class mountains and I don’t think that’s a bad thing for Revelstoke to be known for. The biggest problem I see with this shift is that with more people visiting from out of town, businesses and real estate can tend to focus too much on the tourists making it unaffordable for the people living and working here. If I am elected, my focus will be on increasing the supply of affordable housing, community initiatives that give cost incentives to locals (think two-tiered tourist payment system) and making sure Revelstoke enjoys responsible growth that doesn’t undermine our greatest asset: our people.

Gary Starling (candidate for council)

Gary Starling is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Gary Starling.

I do feel that the cultural fabric of Revelstoke is changing. Of course, the ski hill development is the biggest driver in this. I am concerned that we are becoming a non-inclusive society. Our seniors are faced with high housing prices and few housing options. Our youth are struggling to find footing in Revelstoke often because of the high cost of living, especially housing.

Revelstoke does enjoy the good fortune of having a very diverse economy. The forestry sector and the railway are the two biggest industries and provides many high income jobs. As well, many small businesses have set up shop here. The tourist sector has ballooned since RMR came online in 2007. It’s a vibrant economy.

Once again, the key, I believe, to ensure we maintain a vibrant and all-inclusive society is to address the housing issue head on.

We must find balance within our budget to ensure that our tax dollars are spent in a responsible way. As well, we need to find balance in our taxation so that it is fair and equitable to residence, developers, business and all of those who choose to call Revelstoke home.

Cody Younker (candidate for council)

Cody Younker is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Cody Younker.

I grew up in the Township of Langley a few minutes down the road from the fort established by Hudson’s Bay on the banks of the Fraser river. Fort Langley to this day has never lost her cultural roots.

I believe no matter who is new to the area or who is visiting will absorb or be absorbed into the cultural fabric as long as it is celebrated and nurtured. Our children are key to moving forward.

Local history lessons in both elementary and secondary that include genuine interactions from pioneers of Revelstokes past and future. Women and men that are the heart of Revelstoke.

I remember every moment of Fort Langley days, cranberry festival, bannock lessons and so much more. That inclusion and connection to culture is probably why I have bonded with Revelstoke so quickly. I won’t have concerns as long as history and culture are genuine and not used for token tourism fundraisers.

Peter Humphreys (candidate for council)

Peter Humprheys is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Peter Humphreys.

I am possibly the only candidate actively employed in the industrial sector, so I live these issues daily. The most pressing concern should not be in losing the cultural fabric but in losing the industrial sector altogether. It has the same affordability issues as the rest of our town. CP Rail graduates new classes of employees only to lose large numbers of them because they can’t afford to live here. Forestry contractors have idle equipment because they can’t find operators. Local forestry is seeing more and more contractors, employees and trucks from out of town. Many just come for the day or stay during the week and return home on the weekends. Just like other business sectors, some of them are forced to live in shacks, trailers, unsafe houses and couches.

A top priority must be to increase the supply of housing. Increasing the supply and controlling the loss of existing housing to vacation rentals will lower the cost and will help keep our well-paying blue-collar jobs. Controlling spending and lowering the tax burden is a way that local government can contribute to keeping and attracting workers.

Aaron Orlando (candidate for council)

Current city councillor Aaron Orlando is looking to get re-elected to council. Photo: Aaron Orlando.

The cultural fabric of Revelstoke has always changed, influenced by economic drivers such as hydro dam construction, or the cyclical forestry economy. This time the driver is the growing tourism industry, driven by the development of RMR. It’s important the city continues to support cultural institutions like the Revelstoke Museum, RPAC, RVAC and the many cultural programs supported of the city, but trying to influence the general cultural tide is outside the municipality’s bailiwick. What the city must do is assess, plan and act on issues within its influence. The current lack of affordable housing, for example. Where will blue-collar workers — in forestry or tourism — live if wages can’t pay mortgages or rent? We need to act more urgently on this issue. Another example is growing a more diverse economy. The city-owned Revelstoke Community Forest Corporation plays a significant role in supporting a diverse forestry sector. We need to continue this support. Another important initiative is anticipating the sustainable jobs of the future, and I’ve been happy to be a part of the Technology Advisory Committee, Mountain Colab and StartUp Revelstoke, which all seek to foster well-paying, knowledge-based businesses and jobs for the next generation.

Michael Brooks-Hill (candidate for council)

Michael Brooks-Hill is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Michael Brooks-Hill.

Revelstoke is changing, it is true. But then, that has always been the case. However the change is becoming more rapid, not just because of the growth of tourism and the demographic shift to young people eager to embrace the outdoor lifestyle, but also because of the introduction of new technologies. Airbnb has had a large effect on our neighbourhoods, as well as the type of homes people build. Revelstoke’s roots lie in forestry, the railroad, and construction booms associated with the dams. Our geographic isolation has led to a tight-knit community that is independent and self-reliant; while coming together to work for the common good. Fostering these industries as we move forward, while encouraging the positive aspects of new technologies and technology workers is vital to maintaining the character and integrity of our community. The key to retaining our culture is by encouraging those who come here to embrace Revelstoke, rather than those who come to exploit it.

Tim Palmer (candidate for council)

Tim Palmer is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council.

In 2011, as part of my MBA studies, I conducted a community survey focused on best practices for small communities facing transition towards a more tourism-based economy. Overwhelming feedback from residents revealed their values to support Revelstoke as a community built and supported by diverse economic foundations. Revelstoke’s strong economy includes:

Forest Resources
Wood Manufacturing

-Downie Mill

-Several small mills and wood specialty products

-BC Forestry

-Support industries

Transportation

-CP Rail

-Trans-Canada Highway Service and support

Power Generation

-BC Hydro

-Micro generation

-Community Energy Corporation

Tourism

National Parks

-Mountain Biking

-Diverse Water Sports

-Hiking and Climbing

-RMR and Downhill skiing

Snowmobiling

-Backcountry, Heli and Cat Skiing

-Retail and Support businesses

-International business and technology

Revelstoke is a unique community built upon our strong diverse historical roots ranging from logging to skiing. Today we are more than a ski town. It is important to not focus on one part of our economic base at the expense of others. It is the Council’s duty to recognize this legacy and make decisions to ensure Revelstoke grow stronger.

Gary Sulz (candidate for mayor)

Gary Sulz is running for mayor in the upcoming Oct. 20 election. Photo: Gary Sulz.

I feel that the cultural fabric is being changed or in better terms enhanced by the tourism related growth. Revelstoke has experienced growth-related change several times over its history; to name two: the railroad expansion west at the turn of the 20 th century and the influx of people coming to work; and in the mid 20 th century with the growth of the forest sector. So, you see, change and growth are part of our cultural fabric. We require safe and affordable housing and that may manifest in many different forms. We need to maintain and grow our infrastructure to allow for this growth and finding that balance is key to a better community. Even though growth may move differently than in the past, railroad and forestry sectors still employ large numbers of our residents and continue to be economic drivers in our community. We must strive to maintain and even enhance what we already have as we move forward.

Rob Elliot (candidate for council)

Rob Elliot is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Rob Elliot.

It seems every generation waxes poetic about their past. Communities rally around their history to unite and celebrate the contributions of their predecessors. Our railway and forestry heritage suggests determination, toughness and uncomplicated focus. These traits characterize Revelstoke well but not completely. Our town has survived because of its willingness to adapt. Our leaders and citizens have looked forward when economic conditions threatened. RC Forest Corporation, our city’s Economic Development position, Community Futures support, tax concessions at the local mill and ski hill development are (or were)examples Revelstoke looking to the horizon and taking action.

Revelstoke has been changed by tourism growth and development. Revelstoke also has a history of dramatic changes: growth, development and decline. The eras associated with the hydro dam and highway builds quickly come to mind. Today railway and forestry are key players in our economy but who knows what the next ten to fifteen years will bring. Diversifying seems an obvious avenue to follow.

People are discovering Revelstoke due to choices our community made years ago regarding tourism. Opening the door let the world discover not only recreational abundance but the quality of life available in our town. Good or bad, lifestyle has become Revelstoke’s newest industry; tourism is the marketing department.

See our previous Q&A with Revelstoke city council candidates here.