As a recently returned resident of Clearwater, I have had the good fortune to get to know many wonderful people in this beautiful area over the past three years.
Backtracking a bit, it has been about 13 years since I first read Nelson Mandela’s autobiography, which began my interest in the machinations and ethics of politics. During the course of my studies at TRU, political science became one of my concentrations for my Bachelor’s degree in the Humanities, of which I am in my final semester. It is in this capacity that I offer my candidacy for councilor to the community.
Speaking of community, my involvement to date in Clearwater includes volunteering for the Partner Assisted Learning program as well as grounds-keeping and maintenance for Yellowhead Museum. In previous communities I’ve resided in I have been a member of a volunteer fire department and employed by a local water utility, with BCWAA small water system certification.
The way I see wholesome development by any B.C. municipality is through resident-led planning, culture, commerce and industry. From what I’ve read, the proper place of the B.C. municipal government in economic affairs is to consider things like licenses and permits, planning and zoning, and affects on infrastructure to set tax rates in keeping with federal and provincial laws, and, most appropriately, the Official Community Charter.
While the municipal government is an invaluable source of information for prospective and current residents, visitors, and businesses, I believe that taxpayers are best served by a municipality sticks to effectively dispatching its legislated functions, thereby allowing ample room for a resident-directed community.