Thank you for reading this multitude of candidate information to find out who you will vote for on Nov. 19.
My family and I moved to the Creston area from the Fraser Valley, over 15 years ago. My children have been basically raised in this valley.
My life has been one of service — helping, volunteering, caring, fighting against injustices and trying daily to add value to people’s lives. This is who I am and why I am running. There is very little in this community I haven’t volunteered for, for example: several boards and societies, the arts, drama and music community (including charity fundraisers), minor hockey and Creston Valley Thunder Cats (four years singing the anthems), public education and home school community, church life and community networking.
Besides adding value through volunteering, I have also co-owned two businesses in this community, and am presently working on a business degree. This bachelor of commerce degree in management studies covers many things — international business, marketing, economics, accounting, human resources, French language studies and much more. It makes good economic sense to have this type of business education and experience in the mix, especially when making any budget decisions. I am willing to keep asking questions until something makes sense.
I am good at research. Something my research has shown is that of all taxes collected, 50 per cent go to the federal government, 43 per cent go to the provincial government and only seven per cent go to the municipalities. Yet, more services keep getting put on the backs of municipal governments. I would like to help work on restructuring this.
My life has been one of service. It is who I am, why I am running and what I will do in the next three years if I am honoured enough to be voted in as town councillor.
Rhonda Barter is seeking election to Creston town council.
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The Advance asked each candidate for Creston town council and mayor, Regional District of Central Kootenay director and School District No. 8 (Kootenay Lake) trustee — as well as acclaimed directors Garry Jackman (Area A) and Larry Binks (Area C) — to submit about 300 words to describe their goals, background, qualifications, concerns — whatever mattered to them. Of the 27 candidates, only two, Jackman and Creston town council candidate Louis Mihaly, chose not to make a submission.