On Thursday November 3, 2011, Crofton hosted what appears to be the final official all candidate's meeting in North Cowichan.
The format was creative, but the size of the crowd and the venue created challenges and many -- candidates and residents alike --were unable to hear each other during the small group sessions. That portion of the meeting was cut short and I had only had a chance to answer two questions in that format.
Though I had the opportunity to speak on questions from the floor in the plenary session, I made a commitment to post my answers to the carefully crafted group questions here on the blog, and so over the next few days, I will roll them out.
Question 5
If elected to the North Cowichan Council, what would you do to improve and enhance living conditions, both developmentally and environmentally, for the residents of Crofton and how would you work to achieve this?
Crofton is a special community in a beautiful setting in the community of communities, known as North Cowichan. Residents are very community minded and involved and have accomplished so much. They are positive and ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard for their town. I understand Crofton has goals for future access to the waterfront, a desire to preserve the beautiful views you enjoy and a need for more affordable housing for seniors and families. I'd like to see transportation to Crofton improve as the region can support it. I'd like to see community gardens as one way to address local food security and continued community building.
I'm also supportive of the revitalization process for Crofton with input from residents as to what they truly want, and hope it includes more liveable wage jobs so that residents of Crofton can live, work and play there. We have to work hard on this, as every community from Victoria to Powell River wants to do the same, so competition is stiff. We have so much to offer in North Cowichan, if anyone can attract businesses that want to invest in a community, it should be us.
I like Jon Lefebure's idea of a Crofton Local Area (made in Crofton) Plan that becomes an attachment to the Official Community Plan.
The format was creative, but the size of the crowd and the venue created challenges and many -- candidates and residents alike --were unable to hear each other during the small group sessions. That portion of the meeting was cut short and I had only had a chance to answer two questions in that format.
Though I had the opportunity to speak on questions from the floor in the plenary session, I made a commitment to post my answers to the carefully crafted group questions here on the blog, and so over the next few days, I will roll them out.
Question 5
If elected to the North Cowichan Council, what would you do to improve and enhance living conditions, both developmentally and environmentally, for the residents of Crofton and how would you work to achieve this?
The greatest asset I bring is my ability to listen. The people of Crofton have a vested interest in their community and have proven they are dedicated, innovative and energetic.
Crofton is a special community in a beautiful setting in the community of communities, known as North Cowichan. Residents are very community minded and involved and have accomplished so much. They are positive and ready to roll up their sleeves and work hard for their town. I understand Crofton has goals for future access to the waterfront, a desire to preserve the beautiful views you enjoy and a need for more affordable housing for seniors and families. I'd like to see transportation to Crofton improve as the region can support it. I'd like to see community gardens as one way to address local food security and continued community building.
I'm also supportive of the revitalization process for Crofton with input from residents as to what they truly want, and hope it includes more liveable wage jobs so that residents of Crofton can live, work and play there. We have to work hard on this, as every community from Victoria to Powell River wants to do the same, so competition is stiff. We have so much to offer in North Cowichan, if anyone can attract businesses that want to invest in a community, it should be us.
I like Jon Lefebure's idea of a Crofton Local Area (made in Crofton) Plan that becomes an attachment to the Official Community Plan.
In addition, since nothing works in isolation, I will work on other plans the municipality has to continue to enhance Crofton as a community.
For instance, North Cowichan is poised to make a decision on the Chemainus revitalization plan. I support the revitalization of Chemainus, but feel concern about one aspect of the plan. North Cowichan is considering a partnership with St. Joseph's school around the desired Chemainus Community Centre. I feel if any partnership with a school was to take place, it should be with a school the public already owns.
As a board member of the Chemainus/Crofton Community Schools Association, I know how important the programs we offer to the community are. We offer educational and support programs from birth to elderhood, knowing how important life long learning is, and I am not in favor of anything that would take away from our ability to continue to offer these programs at any of our three community schools.
If elected to North Cowichan council, I will work with Crofton to help your visions for your community become real.
~ K
RSS Feed
