Sandy Bojechko
Council · Castlegar
Castlegar 40 yrs
About
I have lived in Castlegar for 40 years and have raised my family here. I am a timekeeper for the Castlegar Rebels and volunteer when available for other organizations. I have served one term on Castlegar City council and look forward to another term.
Policy commitments
Buildings
We all want healthy, affordable, and comfortable homes. These policies will help to lower energy bills, cut pollution, and improve indoor air quality.
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Support electrification of new buildings.
Supportive
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Incentivize electric heat pumps and air filtration systems.
Supportive
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Implement a 'right to cool' bylaw to protect tenants during extreme heat events.
Supportive
Climate Justice
Our community is already experiencing the harmful impacts of climate change caused by fossil fuel pollution, and taxpayers are on the hook to upgrade and repair critical infrastructure.
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Enact a moratorium on AI data centres to protect our energy and water resources.
Supportive
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Collaborate with Indigenous peoples as partners in the stewardship of the land, air, and water, and work towards reconciliation.
Supportive
Ecosystems
The air we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat all rely on healthy ecosystems. Nature can also help protect our community from extreme weather by controlling floods, protecting shorelines, and cooling neighbourhoods. Access to nature improves the health and well-being of residents, and supports biodiversity.
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Protect and restore ecosystems, which are essential to human survival, health, and economic well-being.
Supportive
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Expand and protect tree canopy, parks, and green infrastructure to cool neighbourhoods, clean air, and manage stormwater.
Supportive
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Create connected urban greenways for people and wildlife.
Supportive
Land Use
We envision vibrant, walkable communities that protect nature and improve food security.
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Upgrade critical infrastructure for heat, fire, flood, and storm resilience.
Supportive
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Increase food security by supporting local agriculture and community gardens.
Supportive
Transport
Connecting neighbourhoods through public transit and active transportation networks will cut pollution, improve public health, and make our communities more affordable (and fun!).
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Deliver reliable, frequent, affordable local transit.
Supportive
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Advocate to improve regional public transit between communities.
Supportive
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Build bike and roll networks that are safe for everyone.
Supportive
Watersheds
Climate change, increasing populations, and overconsumption threaten our water security. Healthy watersheds and forests are critical to support clean drinking water, stormwater management, climate resilience, and biodiversity for future generations.
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Implement water conservation plans and educate the public to conserve drinking water.
Supportive
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Protect and restore watersheds as vital municipal infrastructure.
Supportive
Zero Waste
Zero waste policies reduce pollution, keep waste out of landfills, build resilient local economies, and safeguard public health by shifting society away from a disposable culture toward a sustainable circular economy.
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Support the development of a circular economy to eliminate waste and improve resilience.
Supportive
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Implement bylaws to eliminate waste from new buildings, renovation, and demolition projects and to use existing buildings as efficiently as possible.
Supportive
✓ Supportive
~ Neutral
× Opposed
– No response
Climate action
How have you contributed to climate action in your community through advocacy, past work, advisory committees, volunteer work, and/or reducing your personal carbon footprint?
I support climate action in volunteering and through past work. I have advocated at the council table to reuse and recycle. At times this has fallen on deaf ears but I am making my voice heard. The example would be that when a building is demolished, we should be able to reuse some of the materials rather than sending them to the landfill. This information needs to be put in the Request for Proposal when we are listing it. Rather than landfill, perhaps the demolishing company could offer the materials to residents to reduce costs to the resident for using it in another build. I did offer this but was told that it is too expensive. This mindset needs to change. There shouldn't be a cost to demolishers to give away materials but this seems to be a systemic problem, not only a City issue. This is only one example of many where change is needed. I recycle and promote it to as many people as I can. I try to teach by example. Start small and it becomes a habit. I drive only when necessary and will make as few trips as possible and complete errands in one trip. I use a motorcycle rather than 4 wheel vehicle when possible or a bicycle. If possible, I walk, rather than drive.
Questions for Castlegar
In January 2021, Castlegar adopted the West Kootenay 100% Renewable Energy Plan. How will you prioritize actions, including timelines, to implement the plan and ensure that they move forward this term?
Castlegar has adopted this plan along with other communities. Our target date is to achieve 100% renewable energy use no later than 2050. The Plan covers Electricity, Waste Management, Transportation, Heating and Cooling. The City has electric vehicle charging stations and promote electrifying personal and commercial vehicles. The goal is to shift travel options toward active transit and public options but right now, our public transit is inadequate to be able to fully move this forward. We have adopted composting organics and curbside organics programs in order to divert local waste. The landfill has a life expectancy and if we continue to add organics, not only will that increase the gases, it will shorten the life expectancy of our landfill. We have adopted the Step Code and adopted a voluntary standard for retrofitting older buildings. In short, the Step Code does not dictate the materials that are used in new builds but rather the desired outcome for energy performance which involves many details including insulation, windows, mechanical systems and heating efficiency. Castlegar follows the Provincial Standard and have a By-law to address any questions. I will continue to advocate for the renewable energy plan.
The Castlegar area is vulnerable to many climate-related risks (e.g., wildfire, drought, smoke, flooding, heat, local supply chains). How will you address these risks to increase our community’s resilience?
Castlegar addresses risks through infrastructure assessments, floodplain mapping and adaptation strategies. We had an open house for citizens who wanted to learn about floodplain mapping and were able to achieve a grant for the project. We assessed geohazards and updated the mapping for 6 of our upland catchments. This project was initiated in order for us to understand where the risks are so that we can have a plan in place. We have the Fire Smart program which will help save homes and it is a free program with incentives. The City has implemented a Community Wildfire Protection Plan to lower wildfire vulnerability. Our Fire Smart program has seen 3 neighbourhoods achieve national recognition. This is a good start. With respect to heat and smoke, there isn't much that can be done other than to stay indoors and there are 3 air quality and cooling shelters that can be activated for people to go to get more comfortable. Although the City has these programs in place, they are a living document and will need to be updated when there is change in the climate. With respect to drought, the City has a water meter program which not only tracks useage but also leaks. Just as most communities, we also have water use restrictions when necessary.
What ideas do you have to decrease reliance on personal gas vehicles and improve how people get around the city using low emission transportation methods (e.g., walking, biking, carpooling, bus/transit, EV)?
Castlegar has Electric Vehicle charging stations but could install more across workplaces and new housing developments. The municipality could upgrade our fleet vehicles to electric or hybrid models when they are being replaced. Within the City, we have transit, although it does need improvements to several communities but most areas are accessible by bicycle or walking and we do have "Park and Ride" for carpooling. It would be nice to have a local bus service specific for short charters ie to get to the complex or Health center for lab work, etc. and return for pick up later so that more people can use one vehicle. If there was a regular schedule, people could plan their appointments, physical activity, socialization, etc.
How would you approach land use and housing policies to ensure that people of all income levels—including low-income residents—have access to safe, affordable homes that are also resilient to a changing climate?
Castlegar is part of the BC Energy Step Code. All new builds should be equipped with air conditioning and heat; perhaps heat pumps should be encouraged. When a multi-unit complex is built, it should include subsidized housing, fixed income housing, low income housing and market housing so that all levels of income are considered and not discriminated against. When land use is considered, proper housing policies should also be considered so that all citizens' needs are addressed. We currently have a shelter for the unhoused and BC Housing is building a new development to assist in helping unhoused people have a place to go so that services can be established and eventually find housing for those needing it. When building housing, safety must be considered, not only for public safety but also safety from the elements. Transit needs to be considered so that citizens without transportation are able to attend for necessities, socialization, entertainment, etc.
The Our Way to 2033 Community Plan includes many goals for enhancing and protecting Castlegar’s natural environment. How will you help advance those, including community partnerships, to help protect and restore our parks and natural areas?
Our parks and natural areas are very important to our community. We work, play and live here and it nice to be able to go outside into nature without having to drive for hours. We are involved and support Communities in Bloom and I am very proud of the work that is being done to beautify our City. We have many community partnerships that support this plan and in order to continue the advancement of this, we need a better vision. Some of our parks need serious upgrading. As far as natural environment, we need to support the restoration of the ecosystem, manage the invasive species and reduce human/wildlife conflict. We are already supporting the control of weeds and invasive species through the Central Kootenay Invasive Species Society. We partner with CKISS to host community events, create educational materials and help with identifying harmful plants. We protect sensitive areas by safeguarding steep slopes, floodplains and local watersheds from disruptive development. We are involved with the Bear Smart initiative by storing garbage and waste inside and promoting picking fruit so that we don't attract bears into the community.
How will you foster collaboration and open dialogue with your fellow councillors and the community to make sure you are forming policy that best represents the full community’s needs, including seniors, newcomers, youth, renters, low income residents?
My goal is to always consider the citizens of our City. I invite people to call or email me anytime with ideas and comments and have good conversation with many people. I attend the City open houses where citizens can attend to speak with me. The Trade Fair promotes a lot of very interesting conversations and I am so grateful that citizens trust me with their concerns. When citizens discuss an issue with me, I have open discussions with my fellow councillors to discuss the issues/ideas. During the discussions with the other councillors, we share ideas and opinions and sometimes troubleshoot issues so that when a policy is formed, it will best represent the community's needs. We currently have a very good council where we have good, respectful debates and communication and everyone is heard. I am there for the citizens and am able to advocate for their views. Not all citizens have the same needs but we need to be able to advocate for all groups. For instance, not all information can be 'on-line' because not everyone has access to the internet. Some people don't have family in the area and need to know where they can socialize. Newcomers need to know what the City has to offer and need to be able to access resources that maybe a long term resident doesn't need. I will advocate for all as I have done in the past 4 years.
If you wish to clarify or add information you may use this space.
I am an active steward in recycling, reducing waste and participate in climate action as a citizen and at the council table, I advocate for the citizens of our City. The new waste program has been difficult for a few people and I think we can do better. I welcome all questions. Thank you for reading my responses.
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