Elect Michael Charrois on Nov.19th for a Better North Vancouver

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Soccer community is constantly searching for field space – Michael Replies

We are blessed here in North Vancouver with a mild climate that allows us to get out and enjoy outdoor recreation activities throughout the year. Eddy, my SPCA rescue dog, and I get out to enjoy the hiking trails everyday, rain or shine. In my youth, before show biz, I participated in many team sports including soccer, flag football, hockey and baseball, organized and disorganized, at home, community leagues and school. I particularly like soccer as a recreational sport because the simple equipment (a ball and maybe special shoes) makes it an affordable, egalitarian past time. Besides the obvious health benefits of sports activities we also learn social skills from games, kids develop motor skills and we all have fun when participating in recreational- and who can argue with having more fun in our lives? It is very important that the City protect park space and retain green spaces for the enjoyment of all. Although the climate is mild here it is also wet and if you’ve ever walked across a field of grass, you know how soggy they can get here and that’s why it’s inportant to have artificial turf fields here. I favour having artificial turf playing fields attached to school yards so children can play there during the day and the school district and user groups could pitch in with some maintenance.

Michael Charrois

Dear Michael

The North Shore Girls Soccer Club and North Vancouver Football Club would like to thank you for volunteering your time to participate in the 2011 civic election. We would  like to provide you with the opportunity to express your views on the issue of sports fields in North Vancouver City and District.

The NSGSC and NVFC membership will be invited by e-mail, prior to the upcoming civic/school board elections, to review your responses to the questions below.  The questions are being distributed to all nominated candidates for both the City and District of North Vancouver Councils, and the North Vancouver School Board and the responses will be posted on a to be announced website.

The North Shore Girls Soccer Club and North Vancouver Football Club represent approximately 7,500 families in North Vancouver who are involved in the game of soccer. The soccer community is constantly searching for field space  to practice and play games. 

Development of off-leash dog parks – Michael Replies

Dixie-

Thanks for the questions. Full disclosure- I have an SPCA rescue dog, a border collie cross named Eddy and we use the North Van off-leash parks almost every day. I guess that makes my opinion less than objective, but I support the off-leash dog park at that waterfront park and throughout the City of North Vancouver. Again, full disclosure- I live next to the art park on west 1st and of all the options you suggest, I am in favour of changing the designation of this park to leashed dogs only.

All the best-

Michael Charrois

Dear Candidate

In local elections voters have the luxury to vote for candidates who support the specific issue most critical to them.    In this election I am particularly concerned with the development of the off-leash dog park on the waterfront in front of Spa Utopia and extending west to the Canal.   This has been a matter of discussion and debate in the council and the voters pro and con on the existing Council have been identified.

If you had been able to vote, what would your decision have been?  Are you pro or con combining an off leash dog park with the Spirit Trail and the bike lanes running from the road and parking area to the canal break?

As well, the Jack Loucks Park area is posted,” no dogs “.  However dog owners do walk their dogs there regularly, on leash, and pickup after them.   Are you in favour of changing the designation of this park to leashed dogs only, policing it more aggressively or continuing to ignore the number of owners who do walk their dogs there daily?

Thank you, Dixie McIlwraith, City of North Vancouver

Michael replies to the Alliance for Arts and Culture candidate survey

Click to read Michael's answers- PDF