Prince George goes to the polls Nov. 19 to determine who will be their municipal leaders for the next three years.
In an effort to better inform the community on the 24 candidates running for a seat on Prince George municipal council, The Citizen sent out a form to all hopefuls with a series of questions that we hope will reveal their histories, priorities, qualifications and personalities.
Here are what they had to say.
Occupation(s) (past and/or present): I was executive officer of the BC Northern Real Estate Board from August 1986 to October 2011. Prior to that I was a realtor, including sales, owner, manager, instructor.
Community involvement and contributions: I was on the advisory planning commission and co-chair of the Prince George long range economic development plan. I have been on the Initiatives Prince George Board, Community Futures, junior achievement steering committee, Northern Medical program trust mayor's fundraising committee, Kiwanis, Festival of Trees (gingerbread display). I am currently on the finance and lending committee of Community Futures, the community advisory panel of FMC, and the UNBC Northern Land Use Institute grants committee.
Other pertinent qualifications: I have a UBC diploma in urban land economics. I have taught courses on governance, including the business the next generation classes at CNC.
Why are you running for council? I now have the time to work full time for the people of Prince George. I have the education, the background, the knowledge, time and ability to carry out the duties of council member.
What can you uniquely bring to the city? Almost every decision made by council affects property values. My education and personal experience doing some small developments (in another city) give me a unique perspective when looking at bylaw and rezoning changes. I have been responsible for preparing the annual operating and capital budgets for the real estate board for the past 25 years, and know how to look for cost savings so fees could be kept under control.
What are your most pressing issues?
Making criminal activity unacceptable in all neighbourhoods in our city.
Working respectfully with the other council members so that all points of view are heard, but once the vote has been taken, we all work together to see a successful outcome.
When an investor is looking to develop we must ensure that we are welcoming and working with them to see a mutually advantageous outcome.
As all private and many public organizations have had to trim expenses while providing the same or better services, we must insist that our city does the same.
Infrastructure - as our sewers, water systems, roads, lighting systems and other basic services are aging, we must be replacing and repairing on an ongoing basis
How do you propose to address those issues?
Work with our neighbourhoods to grow the Block Watch system.
Making sure that all council members start on the same page - making Prince George the true northern capital.
Working with the administration to see how we can change the culture to "yes" when a new proposal comes forward.
Work with the other council members and staff to get expenses under control.
What do you hope to accomplish in your three-year term should you be elected? Taxes not increased beyond inflation. Council members working together with respectful debate on issues, but supporting the majority decision. Reduction in the number of properties used for illegal grow ops and crack houses.
