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​​​Trustee Information

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To contact the board of trustees by email: corporateofficer@gabriolafire.ca

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​​Together with the Fire Chief, the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District trustees provide long-range planning and oversight for our fire department.

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Trustees are elected for a three year term at the GFPID annual general meeting. Three-year terms are staggered, usually with two or three positions voted on each year.  

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Who can be a trustee?

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To be eligible to vote, or to be a candidate for trustee, a person must be eighteen years of age, a Canadian citizen, an owner of land in the improvement district and a BC resident for the previous six months.

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What powers do the trustees have?

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The improvement district’s Letters Patent, applicable sections of the Local Government Act, and other applicable provincial statutes outline the powers that can be exercised by the board of trustees. These powers include the ability to enact and enforce its regulations and charges, to assess and collect taxes, to acquire, hold and dispose of lands, to borrow money and to expropriate lands required to carry out its functions. The board of trustees exercise these powers through the passage of resolutions and bylaws. For more information: Information about BC Improvement Districts BC Improvement District Manual (pdf) and Improvement District Trustee Handbook (pdf).

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The Letters Patent of the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District states:

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The object of the Improvement District shall be the provision of fire protection and the acquisition, maintenance and operation of works, buildings and equipment for the purpose and all matters incidental thereto. For more information: GFPID Letters Patent (pdf)

 

Trustees:
 

Wayne Mercier (Chair)​

Erik Johnson​

John Moeller​

Diana Moher​

Ray Appel

Oliver Bussler

Dave Chorneyko

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Trustee Bios:

 

Wayne Mercier bio to go here.

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Erik Johnson is a Toronto born resident of British Columbia since 1971. An avid horseman and a fan of rural life,  Erik has lived on Gabriola since 1990, with a secondary home in Nashville Tn. for fifteen of those years. He is a Red Seal Carpenter who was been in the trade 55 years as a curved staircase and high end finishing carpentry specialist for most of those years. He also has background as a framing carpenter, as a layout man and working foreman, and on occasion project superintendent/manager/historic restoration moulding design and install specialist.  Erik has pursued a parallel path since high school as a working musician, songwriter, arranger and Nashville recording artist. He has had numerous songs on the radio as an act, and has had success as the author of Jim Byrnes Juno winning hit “That River”. Several of his songs have been used in motion pictures. Erik is also the co-writer of “Vicksburg Call” and “Silver Cup”, the title tracks to hit albums by  blues great David Gogo. Semi-semi retired from carpenter, Erik is still writing and recording, while studying Black Gospel arranging and working as the lead guitarist for Canadiana band Snake Island Railroad.

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John Moeller  is a long time Gabriola resident and entrepreneur. He has lived in the community for over 25 years and has been a GFPID Trustee since 2017. John has a background in finance and business development and would like to see the Fire Department continue to run efficiently and cost effectively.

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Diana Moher  has been a resident of Gabriola since 1986. Earned their BA and worked as a paralegal in Edmonton for 12 years and in the Nanaimo school district for 31. They had various first aid tickets, training in SARS and Emergency Prep. They've participated in numerous community boards over the years; in addition to the Fire Hall they currently sit on Community Hall Board.

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Ray Appel  a retired educator and school administrator, has a background in teacher education, school administration, an d university teaching. After completing a Master's degree and beginning a PhD, he went on to become a Vice Principal at both elementary and middle school levels. Having had a home here on Gabriola Island for the last twenty years, he remains active through music, painting, and theatre, and is honoured to serve as a trustee for the Gabriola Fire Department, valuing commitment to the community.

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Oliver Bussler brings over two decades of public service and senior management experience to his role as Trustee. He began his professional journey with the Canadian Armed Forces, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Commerce, followed by a Master of Science in Agricultural Economics. His career spans leadership roles in both government and large organizations, where he has developed expertise in organizational oversight, fiscal responsibility, and strategic planning. He has a strong interest in community resilience and evidence-based decision-making. Oliver is deeply engaged in the Gabriola Island community. He served for five years as a firefighter with the Gabriola Volunteer Fire Department and currently works as a Primary Care Paramedic with BC Emergency Health Services. His work in emergency health care reflects his ongoing dedication to community safety and public service. In addition to his professional responsibilities, Oliver is an instructor in Environmental Economics at Royal Roads University, where he integrates policy, sustainability, and economic analysis in his teaching. Oliver's diverse background and hands-on experience in emergency response, public health, and governance make him valuable contributor to the leadership of the Gabriola Fire Protection Improvement District.

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Dave Chorneyko brings 16 years of experience as a structural firefighter, with eight years serving on Gabriola Island and eight years with the City of Kimberley. He holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering and has spent two decades working in heavy industry. Outside of his professional career, David has a lifelong passion for hiking and gardening. Recently, he launched a Naturalist Walk on Gabriola. During his time on Gabriola, David has also contributed to both the Commons and PHC.​​