Re-vote Time for Cherry Creek

With only a four-vote difference in the last election, two new candidates are shaking things up

February 9, 2023
VanIsle.News Staff

It’s round two of elections, this time four candidates are in the ring

It’s already election season again for Cherry Creek, sheesh.

In the October election, only a four-vote difference was counted between the two Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District Candidates (Area F) of the time, Darren DeLuca and Mike Sparrow.

It was a very slim lead for Sparrow, which resulted in a recount. Now, because of a few incorrectly filled-out voter registrations, there is a by-election.

This time around though, two new candidates have stepped up, and they’re some interesting (and familiar) faces to see.

So without further ado, here’s your Cherry Creek by-election roundup.

Darren DeLuca

He’s back, and he’s still a rule-breaker. Or, rule dissolver should we say? DeLuca markets himself as a strong leader, and his campaign has a few primary focuses.

The first and most heavily emphasized one is, to Review Cherry Creek By-Laws.

He has stated repeatedly during his campaign that he is against the overregulation of residents.

“I do not support overly prescriptive rules and regulations that bog down the administration, delay approvals or interfere with the peaceful enjoyment of your property,” he said in a Facebook posting.

His priority if elected will be to steward the ACRD By-Law review and “ensure that the policies and procedures of the ACRD are as efficient and streamlined as possible.”

Besides his down-with-the-system rhetoric, Deluca also hopes to advocate for better healthcare, and get the new fire hall funded and the aquatic center built.

He describes his overall campaign with the slogan ” Clean and green, low taxes, small government. Keep it Rural!”

Facebook: Darren DeLuca for Cherry Creek Director
Email: dfdeluca@shaw.ca
Phone : (250) 724-1533

Jen Smith

Smith ran in the School District Trustee Elections earlier this year.

She ran for a seat in the Alberni School District originally, she just missed it, but she’s back for a chance at Regional Districts instead.

She’s a former paralegal and social worker who’s spent time working with kids and families with non-profits and Aboriginal delegated agencies.

Since having kids, Smith continued to advocate for children, working as a PAC member at John Howitt Elementary and volunteering her time with Mamas for Mamas a Port Alberni organization.

“I am a wife and mother of two young children who are just starting their education at John Howitt Elementary. We moved to Port Alberni in 2019 and have finally found a place we call home. We love it here! We are at the beginning stages of starting up a business here in Port Alberni and have settled in for the long term,” she said in her introduction on Facebook.

Smith has not yet announced official campaign goals, but you can keep updated on her election page or by meeting with her in person.

Smith has said she’ll be at the ACRD Financial Plan open house February 13th at the Cherry Creek Community Hall.

Facebook: Jen Smith For Regional Director
Email: jen.corrigal@gmail.com

Mike Sparrow

Sparrow led the polls by four votes in the last election, this time round he’s hoping to grow that number.

The former Fire Chief of 27 years, Sparrow is running his campaign on the premise of having open lines of communication, really listening and being a true voice for residents.

He also put some focus on the bylaw review, saying that he has real experience making by-laws and will bring that to the table.

“In my role as your representative, I will make sure that the bylaws reflect the interests of the residents of Cherry Creek, in their rural lifestyle and open spaces,” he said.

Sparrow said fiscal responsibility is another cornerstone of his campaign, and that should he be elected he’ll be focusing on acquiring funding for the Water Board to help them to create a new fire hall.

He also prioritized getting residents access to Maplehurst park.

With most other topics, Sparrow promised to carefully listen and be an instrument to accomplish residents’ wishes.

Facebook: Mike Sparrow for Regional Director

Tom Verbrugge

Another familiar face, Verbrugge, ran for mayor of the City of Port Alberni, narrowly losing to incumbent Sharie Minions.

Verbrugge has been an Alberni resident his entire life and has just started pursuing politics this year.

“I think we need to be more fiscally responsible,” he told Alberni Valley News of his prior campaign. “I felt the only way to do this was to get involved.”

Verbrugge got his start in the logging industry in 1969 planting trees for MacMillan Bloedel, and years later he opened the Christmas tree farm “Tom’s Trees” on Airport Road. He has been operating his tree farm ever since.

Verbrugge ran a very ‘on the streets not the web’ campaign for most of the last election, and that hasn’t changed yet. You’ll likely see him campaigning in person, but online info is hard to find.

His former election page can be found here.