Penny A.P. Anderson, Kevin Boehmer, Evelyn Bradford, Jen Comer, Arnold DeBoon, Jim Elford, Daniel Guerts, Lon Hansen, Myrna Johnson, Joe Snopek, Karen Unruh, Ed Vondracek and incumbent Joanna Wilson are running for Creston town council in the Nov. 15 municipal election.
What experience do you have that would make you an effective councillor?
I spent my teenage years in Cranbrook, my husband (Skip) grew up in Riondel, and we raised our family in Balfour. Moving to Creston was like “coming home”. I have served nine years as school board trustee (Nelson), four years as representative to Nelson and Area Health Council, three years (one as chair) with Kootenay Boundary Community Health Services Society and three years (two as chair) on the Balfour Recreation Commission. While living on Vancouver Island, I volunteered at SOS, a Parksville organization dedicated to providing community services; volunteer literacy tutor training, coaching math to new immigrants; three years as board member with ElderCollege operated through Vancouver Island University. During my working career, I was employed as an accountant/bookkeeper with CGA firms in Nelson and Qualicum Beach.
What is your top priority for the next town council?
Vibrancy. We have to be more proactive about maintaining and increasing use of local business — possibly through tax incentives — enticing new business into town and encouraging more local shopping. While many businesses have been renovated, there is still a lot of work required to either replace or upgrade others. I envision a busy downtown core with many boutique-type shops to appeal to locals and visitors alike. Likewise, the Creston Valley Mall has to be encouraged to fill the vacant spaces for additional shopping or professional services for residents and tourists. These steps alone would increase the tax base, provide more employment opportunities and possibly keep more of our younger residents living locally.
Should the Creston Valley have a single, locally managed form of government?
Possibly, but this would take a lot of work, and agreement not only from residents in Creston and those in surrounding communities, but also from the Regional District of Central Kootenay. We would have to explore the issue of taxation (does the regional district want to lose some of its tax base?) and the issue of providing services. Creston and outlying areas already share some services (the volunteer fire departments support each other) and residents from outlying areas use Creston amenities (recreation centre, library, hospital). It is a question that is worth exploring.
How many council/committee meetings have you attended in 2014?
Three. We need more open debate, and the audience has to be able to hear the discussion.