Author:  J.Barlow

Citizen Journalist

It’s not easy to pin NDP electoral candidate Gary Holman down for a chat; he’s a very busy, serious, private man. Though he doesn’t talk much about his personal life, there’s much to be learned about him through his ideals and the kind of projects he chooses to pursue.

“I’ve always been interested by politics,” says Gary, “and what it can potentially accomplish.”  Gary declares that he’s “not a visionary”, but, “Once I understand and believe in an achievable project and there are partners to collaborate…” he pauses, “that’s the work I want to be involved in.”

Gary has always affiliated himself with groups, some of which, like the Nisga’a Tribal Council, have made huge differences, especially in protecting green space. Among other things Gary served as Chair of the Islands Trust Advisory Planning Commission, and on the boards of the Salt Spring Island Conservancy and The Land Conservancy of BC. “I’ve always seen green space as being so precious, especially in this area,” says Gary.

As a consulting economist, a local politician and activist, Gary has a history of working on initiatives both personally and professionally, where the goal was consensus, not winner-take-all. It’s always the process that excites him. “I’m drawn to projects that involve groups of people; to that kind of collaboration among individuals trying to accomplish big things… [to] how we can all work together to make this happen.”

He’s aware that some of what he considers successes were disappointing to idealists who wanted more. But Gary the realist knows that compromises are sometimes a necessary evil and not everyone will like you or thank you for it.

“I know politicians are not highly regarded, and with some justification… But I feel that it can be a higher calling…” And for Gary it truly is a calling; one that provides an opportunity to make a difference every day. But “I’m not an environmentalist,” he insists. “I’m a conservationist who sees the world through the eyes of an economist… I understand the need to conserve scarce resources and the value of the unique amenities [of] this very special place.”

Though some see Gary as reserved, just say “public bus service” and watch him light up.

“It’s strange,” Gary muses, “the way things seem to unfold according to their own kind of timing. From 2001 – 2008 (while Gary was Salt Spring’s CRD Director) the Liberals had frozen funding for additional transit services.”

And then came the thaw.

Knowing Gary’s passion for a public bus service on Salt Spring, BC Transit gave him the heads-up that funding might become available and suggested a feasibility study which Gary oversaw.

While patience and perseverance are not the stuff of swashbuckling adventure, they are often the stuff of success.  Gary remembers the work and the long hours,collaborating with Don Amos, then-Mayor of Sidney and Chair of the Greater Victoria Transit Commission.

And then came the waiting.

“It was a matter of lining up our ducks and getting in the queue and then biding our time and making sure that we were ready...”  And ready they were.

It’s not easy to be patient. But just because nothing is seen to be happening doesn’t mean nothing is happening. Hard work and patience finally paid off when the first transit service ever came to Salt Spring on January 7, 2008 in the form of two 20-passenger mini-buses.

Earning the Canadian Urban Transit Association’s award as the “best transit start-up in Canada in a small, rural community”, ridership has since quintupled from projected levels in the feasibility study.   After five years it has the highest ridership of any similarly-sized community in BC. The volunteer Transportation Commission has also undertaken the construction of sidewalks, bike lanes, and other creative initiatives to reduce automobile dependency on the island.

But Gary’s not the kind of guy to just leave it there. “I would love to work on improving public transit on the peninsula.”

A modest man, (“I have much to be modest about,” he jokes) Gary’s also not the kind of guy to claim all the credit. He points out that on Salt Spring, most services are managed by experienced, dedicated volunteers, often with women in leadership roles.  “The women here are very powerful. The conservancies are often driven by women. I’m surrounded by women. They get things done.” He chuckles softly. “Perhaps I should just leave it there.”

It’s a smart man who knows when to leave it there.