Matteus Clement is running for re-election to Cobble Hill area director.
As the Cobble Hill director, I door knocked, consulted and acted on what I heard. Now we have music in the park, a farmers market, a village plan, and a beautiful central park.
I helped the local businesses form a merchants group and worked with them on a village plan. Now, businesses have painted their buildings, bringing a new vibrancy to the village. Highway signage is next on the list.
I have also brought the province to the table in our Cobble Hill Aquifer Taskforce which is now testing wells in the area again and bringing the hammer down on those contaminating our water.
I increased the director’s communication budget so that I could advertise in the paper and online to let people know what was happening in Cobble Hill. Dozens of videos, articles and advertisements to be open about the steps I was taking. Almost 20 community meetings to share what I had heard and how we were going to do it.
I pushed for two huge changes at the CVRD: STOP fake fiscal rollovers and a developer’s handbook.
Before in our budget, we would take any surplus funds at the end of the year and just roll it into the next year to keep taxes artificially low. This purely political move was reckless because when there was an emergency or something broke, we had no money in the bank and taxes would see a big spike.
The developer’s handbook was completed in October 2018. It lays out in simple terms different development permits and how to do it. This will help staff receive complete applications, help mom and pop with first time developments and save the CVRD thousands of dollars in staff time.
I see sidewalks, seniors housing, more businesses and more community events in our future.
www.matteusclement.com, 250-715-6874