Communication is key. We need a Council that engages people in a positive, proactive way rather than waiting to hear from them when they're unhappy.
The people of North Cowichan have a wealth of experience, insight and creativity -- and a vested interest in making this the best possible place to live. Our ideas need to be taken seriously.
I know local politics -- having served two terms on the Cowichan School Board helping to manage a $ 42 million budget.
Since holding office, I've built a career facilitating personal and professional development workshops, retreats and teleseminars.
My ancestors helped settle this island and my children can’t afford to make their lives here. There’s something wrong with that in my mind. We must focus our best energies on building what I call 'real economic health' -- a broad-based, resilient local economy.
We need to attract and keep companies, large and small that pay liveable wages -- and municipal taxes.
To encourage local food security, and promote local industries that process and re-process our natural resources. We can't just ship raw logs and fish -- or the profits from our labor -- overseas.
Every decision has to balance growth with keeping taxes affordable - to balance the rights of future generations with the needs of today.
Of all the places in Canada to live, North Cowichan is one of the most desirable. If anyone can draw innovative green businesses, and entrepreneurs who want to be long-term contributors, it's us.
We can create a broad-based, resilient, inclusive economy that helps us all flourish -- with a wide variety of liveable-wage jobs, affordable housing, local food security and fair taxes invested wisely.
Working together, we really can make this the best place possible place to live.
I intend to help that happen. Join me.
If you think I'm a worthy candidate, please consider passing my website on to your network for their consideration. Please get out and vote for the candidates that inspire you.
Thank you.