Former Metchosin councillor tosses hat into electoral race again

Goldstream News Gazette
Former Metchosin councillor tosses hat into electoral race again

By Charla Huber - Goldstream News Gazette

Published: July 10, 2008 1:00 PM
Updated: July 10, 2008 5:31 PM

Former Metchosin councillor Ed Cooper is joining the roster of Metchosin residents keen to get back on council.

First elected to council in 2002, Cooper was the chair of highways and public works committee for three years and if re-elected he would like to regain that responsibility and hopefully hire a roads co-ordinator for the District.

“I liked being on council and getting things done, on budget and on time,” Cooper said. “My No. 1 concern is money. (Council) has to be prudent with someone else’s money.”

Other than dealing with the roads Cooper said he is supportive of secondary suites and “totally opposed” to amalgamating Metchosin and East Sooke.

“When things get bigger, there are more responsibilities and more responsibilities cost more money,” Cooper said.

Cooper ran for re-election in 2005 and was defeated, but not discouraged. Immediately after that election he decided to run again.

“I have been door knocking everyday,” Cooper said. “I discuss all kinds of things with people from amalgamation, secondary suites and the current council.”

Cooper’s door-knocking campaign is not always a solo one. On Mondays he is accompanied by Karen Watson, who is running for mayor.

The pair were on council together from 2002-2005 and Cooper is hoping he can serve Metchosin residents alongside Watson again.

“I think she was a good mayor and her last time on council she didn’t have the support she needed from her council,” Cooper said.

“She is honest and up front and tough but fair.”

Since January Cooper has been driving around the West Shore in his white pickup truck proudly displaying his election sign Elect Ed J. Cooper for Metchosin Council.

Metchosin has been home to Cooper for the past 50 years. He raised his five children in the community and ran his business, Sooke Hills Smoke Chips, for 25 years. He provided smoker chips and barbecue wood chips in Canada, th U.S. and as far away as Japan.

Cooper sold the business two years ago. Now retired he is ready to devote his time to the residents of Metchosin, he said.

“I think Metchosin is a great place and I don’t want to see it change.”

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