Castlegar News sent the following questions to each city council candidate. Candidates were given 100 words maximum per question. Answers appear as they were submitted, unless they were shortened for being over the 100-word limit.
There are seven candidates running for six seats: Darcy Bell, Brian Bogle, Sandy Bojechko, Shirley Falstead, Sue Heaton-Sherstibitoff, Cherryl MacLeod and Florio Vassilakakis.
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I am proud to put my name forward for Castlegar City Council in 2022. It is not taken lightly. Castlegar is a beautiful place to live with lots of potential for sustainable growth. Adopting the 100% Renewable Energy Plan is a great initiative.
I believe in giving back to my community and do so as: Past Secretary Heritage Credit Union Board of Directors, Treasurer of Castlegar Rota Villa Society (a 40-unit senior housing facility), volunteer with the Castlegar Red Cross Help Equipment Loan Program and Emergency Management Program. I am also a past member of a Co-operative Health Center and Safe Shelter for Women Board.
As a member of the Heritage Credit Union Board I presented a motion to donate $5000 to the Ukraine Humanitarian Crisis Appeal, which passed unanimously.
What is the biggest issue you see facing the city and how would you address it.
Affordable housing is the biggest issue in Castlegar and area. There are agencies such as BC Housing, BC Non Profit Housing and other experts that we need to connect with.
What are your top three city priorities?
My priorities are affordable housing in Castlegar, better access to health care and improved transit.
I sit on the Rota Villa Board, a 40-unit affordable senior housing complex. We are currently full and have an extensive waiting list. We are undertaking a one-million-dollar upgrade to put in heat pumps. It’s a big project. We worked with BC Non Profit and Columbia Basin Trust…its about partnerships.
I believe Castlegar needs a 24-hr urgent care center. We could extend the hours, open a walk-in clinic and recruit doctors and nurses…but where would we house them?
How do you think the city could address the housing shortage?
How do we get affordable housing? It is by looking at what other communities are doing, exploring partnerships with community organizations and non-profits. We can talk to other cities, the Canadian Federation of Municipalities, Provincial and Federal Governments, easing development costs, changing zoning, laneway housing, allowing suites in single family homes, and building low rise apartments. Creating housing is one of the biggest economic drivers in all communities.
What type of development would you like to see in our community, and what steps would you take to attract it?
I have over twenty years experience as a practitioner and consultant specializing in economic development. I have worked with communities in developing tourism strategies, attracting industry and identifying opportunities. I think that all development must be through the lens of global warming.
I support the goals of the Castlegar and District Economic Development Strategy but all development needs housing.
What skills or experience do you have that would make you a good councilor?
I have owned several businesses, a farm, a market garden, and Spruce River Research, a company specializing in Economic Development and Environmental Risk Management. I was responsible for the general operations, budgeting, and marketing and commercial environmental assessments on service stations, malls and retail outlets for banks and credit unions.
Council needs experience in reading financial statements, developing and reading business plans and risk management, all skills I have.
Why should local residents vote for you?
Castlegar City Council is responsible to the citizens of Castlegar and must make decisions to use our resources wisely. Several Council decisions call into question the ability to make decisions that benefit our community such as selling a park/playground and closing an important access road. Council must have the capacity to evaluate benefits & opportunities as well as major risks and challenges. I believe my experience and skills will build that capacity.
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