Rhonda Barter, Bill Hutchinson, Jared LeBlanc, Tom Mann and incumbent Ron Toyota are running for Creston mayor in the Nov. 15 municipal election.
What experience do you have that would make an effective mayor?
A mayor should be a leader, with the necessary competencies (skills and education) to productively lead. Too often, leaders get into many political positions because of status not education, and, therefore, leadership is not productive. I have the necessary education in abundance (and am continuously educating) to lead. Also, I have the necessary experience of being in many leadership positions, whether by legitimate power or by simply asking the right questions to problem solve, which often eventually puts me in a leadership role. And, my life’s agenda is right: it is to add value to today’s people and future generations, not with self-serving components.
What is your top priority for the next town council?
Top priority: Turning the economy around in Creston — making Creston a sustainable economy, so that when our young people move away to get further education, after completing their education, it would be a sound economic decision to move back here; also, eventually making Creston an educational destination, especially in regards to agricultural degrees. Three goals I have for the next town council to fulfill the goal of improving Creston’s economy are:
•Making Creston the agricultural/sustainable food capital of Canada. Town council needs to market Creston as such. The demand for healthy food is ever increasing;
•Lowering residential taxes. Dissecting and analyzing town financials, making it more cost efficient; and
•Filling those empty business buildings.
Should the Creston Valley have a single, locally managed form of government?
It is something worth exploring and researching. Analyses need to be done of how it would benefit or take away the service to the Creston Valley citizens — both today’s citizens and future citizens.
How many council/committee meetings have you attended in 2014?
Attending council/committee meetings does not give credence to qualifying someone as a council member. Council is ultimately a board running a business and I have vast experience in running both! I have attended one meeting in 2014 — the budget presentation — but I have attended several over the years. It has been my observation in attending these meetings that quality decision-making and problem solving were lacking, because there is a fear of asking pertinent questions. Or, maybe, not knowing the correct questions to ask — especially about finances? Moreover, I have thoroughly read and analyzed most of the town’s documentation.
For a profile on Rhonda Barter, click here.