Occupation: Owner/Manager/Contractor
Why are you running for public office?
My family moved to Lake Cowichan 18 years ago, and it’s home. I feel we have a lot of room to make improvements.
The last few years I have also lived and worked in other countries of the world and have acquired the knowledge for developing and moving a town forward by the sights and experiences abroad.
I believe it is time to move our town forward and I want the opportunity of using my ideas and experience to enhance and put to use all that I have learned and seen thus far.
With the cooperation of new ideas and experience of the other elected members of council, I know we can make the calculated leaps forward to make Lake Cowichan a place for our people to live and flourish.
What are your top 3 issues and how do you plan to tackle these issues, if elected?
1. Spending as outlined in the answer below of managing taxes and spending.
2. Communication–We need to have more transparent and better communication with everyone. I will be able to spend many hours a week working in the town office to see and hear what people need to say. We need to make better use of social media, internet, message boards as well as more public forums/Q&A sessions, to a minimum of four times each year.
3. Representation/Relationships–I feel elected officials need to establish working relationships with individuals and groups both within our community and other areas to help bring new industries, businesses and money into town. One of the major reasons I am running for mayor is to take the mayor’s rightful seat on the CVRD, in order to make sure that our voice is heard so we will be getting what we deserve from our place in the regional district.
How do you plan to manage taxes and spending?
We need to plan with purpose. By doing this, spending should be kept to the important items. (Knowing what the needs are as opposed to the wants) The correct mix of paying off debt and saving is essential with a well-planned budget.
Having spent the last number of years working in finance I have the knowledge to make this a viable achievement.
What do you think it takes to lead Lake Cowichan?
Our town needs a leader that has vision, charisma, values, intelligence and a calm but determined attitude. I believe that I have all of these and can use them to the benefit of the town.
Describe your leadership or co-working style.
Over the years I have had countless opportunities to work on a number of different teams and for the past decade I have had many opportunities to manage or lead them.
I pride myself in knowing that I have always been able to make different teams work even in unlikely situations. I especially look forward to working with a diverse group of people on the council.
How many council meetings have you attended in the last six months ?
2 Council Meetings and 1 Public Q&A
Is there anything else you’d like to add?
I feel that I am ready to take on this assignment and anxious to make a difference by working hard to implement the council’s ideas for positive changes in Lake Cowichan.
It is time and I feel that I am the person to make a difference of change for a better future for our community.