Meet the Mayor & Council

View Royal Town Council is composed of a Mayor and four (4) Councillors:

(Left to right: Councillor David Screech, Councillor John Rogers,
Mayor Graham Hill, Councillor Ron Mattson, Councillor Heidi Rast)

Mayor Graham Hill

Graham Hill became the third Mayor of the Town of View Royal on Dec. 2, 2002. Operating with an open door policy, the Mayor works purposefully to ensure that Council is open and listening to resident-based interests and concerns. Graham also works to raise the profile and awareness of View Royal interests throughout the region and at the Capital Regional District.

Born in Staffordshire, England, Graham trained as a metallurgist and moved to Canada to work at his profession in the laboratories of Cominco. An industrial accident led to a career change and for the next 35 years, he held senior positions in computing in the private sector and in the provincial and federal governments. He has been a systems consultant, manager and executive for many public service organizations including the RCMP, Revenue Canada and Public Works Canada. In the British Columbia government he was a director of information systems for the Ministry of Forests, Ministry of Small Business, Tourism and Culture, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Fisheries. He has owned a busy consulting practice and worked in the coal and steel industry.

A respected leader and innovator, Graham has lived in different regions of BC and Canada, and has been on the boards of the several charitable and sports organizations including junior and senior hockey leagues. Professionally, he has been the recipient of numerous technical and business awards. He was a member of the steering committee of the first View Royal Official Community Plan. His outside interests include a passion for projects at his retirement property on the Sunshine Coast where large trees, big water and working a mountainside offer all the challenges and pleasures that one could want. His credo in all that he does is to "make a lasting difference".

Graham and his family have lived in View Royal for more than two decades.

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Mayor Hill can be contacted at:

296 Eltham Road, Victoria BC V9B 1J9
Email:mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca
Residence Phone: 250-479-5065
Cell Phone: 250-882-5663

or

c/o View Royal Town Hall
45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Phone Messages: 250-479-6800
Fax Messages: 250-727-9551

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Councillor Ron Mattson

Councillor Mattson served as View Royal Councillor from 1990 to 2005 and recently came out of retirement to be elected for a 6th term.

As a member of Council's Committee of the Whole, Ron chairs the Public Works and Transportation divions of the Committee.  Previously Ron served as Chair for the Planning and Zoning Committee and as a trustee on the Greater Victoria Library Board.

Ron has lived in View Royal with his wife, Linda, and daughter, Sarah, since 1978. He has worked for the provincial government since 1984 and is now employed as the Project Manager for the Alzheimer's Drug Therapy Initiative. Ron has over 25 years of experience in Project and Program Management, and Policy Analysis. His education includes a Master of Public Administration, a Bachelor of Science in Agriculture, and certification as a Professional Project Manager.

Ron is an active cyclist and has commuted to work daily for the past 2 years. Aside from spending time with his family, Ron's hobbies include wood-working (a member of the Island Woodturners Guild), cycling, hiking, and home maintenance.

Ron's objectives for returning to Council include reducing the financial burden Council has on the Town's residents and improving the quality of life in View Royal through initiatives to build a healthy and sustainable community. To this end, Ron encourages input from the community: "I encourage residents to come to me with their suggestions and concerns."

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Councillor Mattson can be contacted at:

Email:mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca
Residence Phone: 250-479-7754

or

c/o View Royal Town Hall
45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Phone Messages: 250-479-6800
Fax Messages: 250-727-9551

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Councillor Heidi Rast

Councillor Rast has served as View Royal Councillor since December 2008.

Currently Heidi chairs the Protective Services and Community Services divisions of the Committee of the Whole and is a representative on Community Policing, Victoria Family Court & Youth Justice Committee. Heidi has served as the Council Liaison for View Royal's Sustainability Task Force. On the regional level, she represents the Town as a Director on the board for Capital Region Emergency Telecommunications Inc (CREST).

In her personal life, Heidi has a Bachelor of Science Degree from the University of Lethbridge, majoring in Biology. After graduating in 1999, she moved to the Victoria area to work for the Federal Government where she is currently employed as a Research Technician.

In 2005, Heidi and her husband decided to move to View Royal primarily because of the liveability of the community. For them, View Royal offers a range of opportunities to enjoy their hobbies which include gardening, hiking, cycling and reading.

Heidi ran on a platform as a "Community Representative" and works hard to be a representative for the entire community of View Royal.

"View Royal is a great place to live," says Heidi, "and I will work hard to ensure that the Town is a liveable and viable community."

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Councillor Rast can be contacted at:

Email: mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca
Residence Phone: 250-385-4139
Website: http://heidirast4vr.wordpress.com

or

c/o View Royal Town Hall
45 View Royal Avenue
Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Phone Messages: 250-479-6800
Fax Messages: 250-727-9551

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Councillor John Rogers

Councillor Rogers has served as View Royal Councillor since 1996.

As a member of Council's Committee of the Whole, John chairs the Planning and Development division of the Committee of the Whole. John has been View Royal's Council representative on both the Regional Water Supply Commission and the Juan de Fuca Water Distribution Commission since 1996. He sits on a variety of other local and regional committees such as the CRD Climate Change, Regional Affordable Housing Committee, Esquimalt Harbour Advisory Committee, View Royal Archives, and Friends of Cole Island.

John has lived in View Royal for 41 years. He and wife, Maureen, and daughter, Emily, have lived on Prince Robert Drive since 1986. He earned a Bachelor's of Science from degree the University of Victoria. Before retiring in 2010, he had worked as a Systems Analyst for the Solicitor General (20 years) and a Probation Officer (15 years). He was awarded the Corrections Exemplary Services Award in 1998. Aside from spending time with his family, John's hobbies include walking, kayaking and gardening.

"I am proud of our community," John says, "I am a team player who thoroughly researches the issues before Council. I am readily available to listen and to consider any resident's suggestions and concerns."

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Councillor Rogers can be contacted at:

525 Prince Robert Drive, Victoria BC V9B 1C9
Email: mayorandcouncil@viewroyal.ca
Residence Phone: 250-727-7736

or

c/o View Royal Town Hall
45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Phone Messages: 250-479-6800
Fax Messages: 250-727-9551

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Councillor David Screech

David Screech was first elected to View Royal Council in 2002. Presently David serves as a Greater Victoria Public Library trustee, View Royal's representative on the CRD Arts committee, a board member of the West Shore Parks & Recreation Society, and is the Town's alternate CRD Director. David is also the chair of View Royal's Parks, Recreation, & Environment Standing Committee.

The owner of a successful and long standing Victoria area business, he brings his business experience to his work with Council. A long time Victoria area resident David, along with his wife Jean, and their family moved to North View Royal in 1998. Prior to being elected to Council he was active in the community as a director of the View Royal Community Association, a member of the Parks Advisory Committee, and president of the Friends of Knockan Hill Park Society.

David originally ran for Council on a platform of 'residents first' and firmly believes in this slogan. He welcomes any communication from View Royal residents or businesses.

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Councillor Screech can be contacted at:

1256 Burnside Road West, Victoria BC V8Z 1N8
Email: davidscreech@shaw.ca
Residence Phone: 250-479-1782

or

c/o View Royal Town Hall
45 View Royal Avenue, Victoria BC V9B 1A6
Phone Messages: 250-479-6800
Fax Messages: 250-727-9551

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