Former Parksville mayoral candidate Rick Honaizer’s process hearing in provincial court Monday wasn’t exactly a success, but he was encouraged by the judge’s comments.
“The judge was encouraging, at least he didn’t discourage me,” Honaizer chuckled after the brief court appearance in Nanaimo.
“He said it is possible, it’s a matter of doing the proper research, it’s just a matter of formalities.”
“Is this all the information you have?” Judge D. Cowling asked in the informal initial hearing as he read through Honaizer’s one page submission.
“I do have other letters and pictures and stuff...” he said while the judge read.
“Have you done any legal research?” asked the judge, to which Honaizer began explaining his charge.
He is charging that there’s a conspiracy involving Parksville mayor Chris Burger, chief administrative officer Fred Manson “and other unknown conspirators.”
Honaizer is alleging they are not enforcing bylaws around waterfront access and residency terms at the Surfside RV Resort.
“I just want the court to enforce the bylaws,” Honaizer concluded.
“No, what you want is a very specific charge,” Justice Cowling said, explaining that he didn’t have sufficient information.
“You’re just throwing an extremely wide net,” he continued, but sounded encouraging when he said Honaizer should keep the charge simple and do more research through the court’s law library and whatever legal advice he can get.
The judge specified that referencing activities between 1990 and 2011 was too broad and he should focus on just the last year.
Honaizer said he is still eager to pursue it and he will consult a lawyer, do more research and re-apply to the court as soon as he’s ready.
“If people want to donate to a good cause, this would be a good one,” Honaizer said. “I’m doing this to help the legitimate businesses in town.”
Manson has told The News the city only has leverage on things like beach access or fences when a property owner applies for a zoning or development application or change, which hasn’t come up.
In terms of Honaizer’s complaint that Surfside and the city don’t enforce the 180-day stay rule, Manson said it’s a matter of what council wants to enforce and they have never made it a priority or provided resources to enforce it.