Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
The future of Abbotsford depends on you!
VOTE
NOV. 15
For full voting information visit abbynews.com
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Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
election!20 14
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
In addition to providing a brief personal profile, and listing their key issues, The News asked council and mayoral candidates to respond to the following questions:
Daniel (Dan) Bue
1. What’s your plan to deal with homelessness in Abbotsford? 2. Are changes required in local municipal spending? If so, what are they and how would you address them? 3. How would you make city hall more accountable and transparent? See abbynews.com/municipalelection for answers to Question 3. •
*Indicates incumbent candidate.
•
School board candidates were asked to list two key issues, and indicate how they would deal with those.
•
See Wednesday’s edition for in-depth interviews with mayoralty candidate incumbent Bruce Banman, and challenger Henry Braun.
www.abbynews.com/municipalelection
of Sikh / Christian Initiative, Past director of Abbotsford Downtown Business Assoc’n, Past director of Alpha Family Services, 5 years on the leadership team of The Life Centre KEY ISSUES:
EDUCATION:
BA (sociology & economics, MA (counselling) OCCUPATION:
Clinical Counsellor, Parttime Professor, Former business owner RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Director of MEI, Co-chair of Christian Leaders’ Action Team, Co-chair
• Homelessness • Protecting our environment, which relates to transportation issues. • Job creation Q&A:
1. Getting the key players to the table & encouraging the attitude of “How do we make this work?” We likely need to start with some low barrier housing, with counselling for their addictions and mental health needs. Some of the clients might also need some skills training to prepare them for re-entry. There should also be the opportunity for them to progress into more permanent housing through this process. Some examples of how this is already working are the Salvation Army’s Centre of Hope in our own city, and the Gateway of Hope in Langley. 2. This year, I am happy to see that we had a zero tax increase which is a first time in many years. I think that City hall should commit to not having tax increases exceed the rate of inflation.
NOV
interacting with every department in the city • Six years (two terms) on City Council • Traffic Safety Committee • Abbotsford Youth Commission • Abbotsford Parks, Recreation and Culture
1. I believe we should facilitate discussion with subject matter experts, considering proven methods from other jurisdictions to create a ‘made in Abbotsford; FOR Abbotsford’ solution 2. I would ensure that priorities are aligned at City Hall so that the budget envelope matches the priority and that we are realistic when considering a balance of new infrastructure investments and maintaining existing. We need to stay within our means, with Council leading by example.
Rick Barkwell
College, industry related
Barkman
• Mission Abbotsford Transit Committee • Active in Mayor’s Homeless Task Force COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
• Volunteer in cold weather shelter • Thirty-seven years in community sports as official, coach or player • Northview Community Church member • Community connected
I will continue my full-time efforts on behalf of all Abbotsford residents, and will remain available, accessible & accountable. BE IN TOUCH! Email: barktoyou@shaw.ca Home: 604.859.7319 Cell: 604.557.8654 AUTHORIZED BY FINANCIAL AGENT: barktoyou@shaw.ca
Q&A:
EDUCATION:
RE-ELECT Les FOR COUNCIL • Forty years with the City of Abbotsford • Thirty-four years working public works
• Creating a business friendly approach to assist existing business and attract much investment • Leveraging the many assets of Abbotsford to the benefit of current and future generations • Establish / strengthen relationships with senior government, industry, business and post-secondary to develop practical solutions to priority issues.
Sandy Blue
VOT. 1E5
EXPERIENCE
KEY ISSUES:
OCCUPATION:
Financial Advisor, Raymond James PARTY AFFILIATION:
AbbotsfordFIRST EDUCATION:
Management Certificate – Administrative Management (BCIT); Ec.D (University of Waterloo); CEcD (International Economic Development Council) OCCUPATION:
Manager Strategic Economic Initiatives, City of Maple Ridge RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Commissioner - Abbotsford Police Board; vice-president – Abbotsford Police Foundation
RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford/McMillan COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary, AMHA, Campus of Care KEY ISSUES:
• Job creation/retention • Business attraction • Development Q&A:
1. Work with the new coordinator to liaise with local charities and service groups as well as provincial counterparts to move quickly to get low-barrier housing open. Ensure that the at-risk persons are monitored and kept in a safe
environment to assist with their reintegration into the community. 2. Spending should be held to approved budgets only. In situations of emergency should be the only reason to go over budget- in any department of city hallwe can’t rob one to pay for another. Debt reduction should be increased yearly as much as possible while holding expenses in check. This low interest environment will not last and we need to pay down our debt quickly.
Raji Buttar
EDUCATION:
MBA OCCUPATION:
Co-owner, Arisoko Luxury Travel Inc. RESIDENCY: Abbotsford KEY ISSUES
• Homelessness • Unemployment • Property Taxes Q&A:
1. We need to show more understanding and compassion. Sometimes it is forgotten that homelessness is not just a housing issue. Homelessness is just one issue amongst many others including drug addiction and mental health. We need to take a deeper look and address the serious complexity of this issue. There are other countries and cities dealing with this same issue in a positive and effective way; why can’t we? Abbotsford should learn from these cities and countries so we can adopt some of their ideas. 2. Changes in spending are required in our municipal government. Economic development efforts in Abbotsford need to focus on sustainable long term growth. In turn, this will generate the financial resources Abbotsford needs in order to lower property taxes for residents and improve various existing infrastructures. The growth of the business sector
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
20 election! 14
COUNCIL CANDIDATES will lead to job creation and subsequently, a decrease in unemployment and higher household incomes. Economic prosperity will allow Abbotsford residents to enjoy a better quality of life.
ness as seen dealt by the food bank. Dignity Village is a good interim idea - although many questions still need to be answered. This step I feel will need a good exit strategy to a permanent location. This strategy needs to be expedited.Â
Lyle Caldwell
2. Spending is governed by the Municipal Act. Prescribed and large expenditures should go to public referendum. Electronic on-line townhall meetings to be held to engage all the public, not just special interest groups.
EDUCATION:
High school, certified mechanic, management trainingÂ
James W. Breckenridge
OCCUPATION:
Retired, part-time Ducks Unlimited POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Campaign manager for two local elections RESIDENCY: Abbotsford EDUCATION:
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Abbotsford Rotary, Ducks Unlimited, Food Bank, Abbotsford Hospice Society, Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce, Abbotsford Arts Council, MSA Museum, Canada Day Parade, Operation Red Nose, Abbotsford International Airshow. Abbotsford Agrifair KEY ISSUES:
• Fiscal prudence. • Good paying jobs, strong economy. • Open and participatory government, restore trust and integrity. Q&A:
1. This is one of the hardest challenges facing the newly elected mayor and council. The homeless need compassion and respect. The homeless need acceptance, understanding but firm-
Bachelor of Commerce University of Saskatchewan Chartered Accountant OCCUPATION:
Emergency shelter worker, advocate, writer, consultant RESIDENCY:
Blueridge/Ridgeview KEY ISSUES:
• Fiscally sustainable, responsible budgeting and planning • Social issues (affordable housing, homelessness, poverty, hunger, living wage, employment); • Changing the way the city does business in order to attract business Q&A:
1. Start on the issue there is no fast easy neat way to deal with homelessness which is why
Your Voice Matters ELECT
Paul
REDEKOPP Abbotsford City Council www.PaulRedekopp.ca
Authorized by Financial Agent Gerry Lamb g_lamb@telus.net
Lethbridge’s plan refers to ‘ending homelessness in 10 years’. Avoiding the issue does nothing but allow the problem to grow worse. Focusing on the end goal of helping people become healthy (mentally and physically) enough to remain housed and take up their lives. There are many cities and programs that provide best practices for us to choose from. Prioritize spending/investment/ focus based on whether a support or service is necessary to the end goal of healthy people. There are many services/supports it would be nice to have, but the fiscal reality is we cannot have everything we wish for and we must spend our money on supports and services that will produce a longterm reduction in the number of homeless. 2. Sustainability has to be a major consideration in the finances and budgeting. The economy and its direction, the budgets/finances of the provincial and federal governments (providers of funding) have a major effect on sustainability and the options a city has available to make its finances sustainable. There are a growing number of examples of the severe consequences of governments not focusing on the sustainability of their finances.
Vince Dimanno
PARTY AFFILIATION:
AbbotsfordFIRST EDUCATION:
SFU, Kwantlen College OCCUPATION:
Web and software developer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Candidate for council in 2011
Dept during the YMCA briefing). To re-fund our DCC account, and to pay for our infrastructure deficit, we need to focus on planning that includes densification. This will help us grow while taking advantage of existing infrastructure.
ture shows, blood donation and Abbotsford Sikh parade. Â KEY ISSUES:
• Business development • Safety ( youth at risk) • Affordable homes. (homelessness) Q&A:
1. Work with provincial level (BC housing). Consider every option available such as not profit originationsÂ
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Daljit Sidhu
Abbotsford Ratepayers Association, Abbyfest Multicultural Society, Crohns and Colitis Foundation (volunteer)
2. No answer.
*Les Barkman
KEY ISSUES:
• Debt, including infrastructure deficit • Homelessness and social issues • Economic development
EDUCATION: OCCUPATION:
Vice-chair union.Â
of
credit
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
1. Firstly, to admit that it cannot be solved with a single solution. Secondly, to facilitate collaboration between all the service providers in the city. 250 service providers exist and all the resources are there to have a great impact on our social issues. We must treat all involved with respect and this includes engaging the homeless about their needs instead of simply imposing our plan upon them. This thinking has resulted in a litany of court cases and a tent city that is no solution.
Participated in previous city council elections. Â
Patricia Ross x The Clear Choice for Council
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Volunteer, community sports tournaments, cul-
EDUCATION:
Lakehead University OCCUPATION:
Full-time City Councillor POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Two terms as Abbotsford city councillor RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
Lower Property Taxes
Q&A:
1. Take all information from Mayor’s task force. My four years of research, working in cold weather shelter, spending time on the street listening to people, take the data and make a decision that will change people’s lives.
VOTE NOV. 15
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Lyle
Caldwell For Council www.positiveaction.com
• Controlled Spending • Progressive Thinking • Jobs for Today and Tomorrow
Working for a better quality of life for Abbotsford.
re-electpatriciaross.ca Authorized by Christine Eden financial agent reden@uniserve.com
• Homelessness • Spending tax dollars, but provide quality services • Property taxation - B.C. Assessment needs to review qualifications for different classifications
VOTE
Safer Community Fiscal Responsibility
KEY ISSUES:
2. Spending changes must happen as the needs of the city change.
London university
Q&A:
2. Local governments must return to priority spending. For example, we cannot grow without infrastructure and we have a huge infrastructure deficit. Combined with our existing debt, non-priority spending left our city with only $14 million in the bank last year (as reported to council by the Finance
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*Bill MacGregor
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
funds to the Reserves/ Savings Account.
Tim Felger
EDUCATION:
Doctorate in Educational Leadership
EDUCATION:
OCCUPATION:
Ohio State University
Public Servant
OCCUPATION:
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Unknown
Two terms On Abbotsford city council
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
RESIDENCY:
Drug War Suvivors
Sumas Mountain
KEY ISSUES:
KEY ISSUES:
• Transportation • Homelessness • Government Employees performing criminal acts.
• Jobs • Continued Fiscal Restraint • Resolution of the Homeless Issue
Q&A:
Q&A:
1. No answer.
1. This issue is now before the courts and I am hopeful and of the opinion that it’s satisfactory resolution will be reached in the not too distant future given the excellent work done by the Task Force.
2. Lower the bus fare to $1.00 because the buses ride around empty and the goal should be to maximize ridership, not a fare price. It will actually cost the city nothing to lower the rates because ridership will increase and we will make more at a dollar than $2.25 for a ticket price.
2. The simplicity of the answer to this question is a universal principle that we have both long and short term plans for. We spend on our needs and save for our wants all while operating a zero based budget. i.e. One that does not lead into debt and assigns
Cut the police budget by $10,000,000 a year in 2 years. Their budget is over $50,000,000 a year and growing and Canada is becoming a police state with the drug war.
I would change the uniforms and cars back to Blue and White instead of the Black and stop the drug arrest.
I would sell the Hockey Area, because city government should not be in the hockey business.
Pass bylaws so all police officers on patrol had to wear body cameras.
*Moe Gill
Institute Harm Reduction Programs in the city to deal with the Drug Addicted Homeless and make at least 5 camps for the homeless. One for families with children, one for economic homeless men and woman and several for the drug addicted. I would lobby the Provincial government to increase the welfare payment for housing, so the Homeless will be able to afford an apartment in Vancouver and not migrate to Abbotsford. Cut the pay for all management positions in city government and policing, because no government official should make more than $100,000 a year anyway. Stop payments and tax credits to the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association, because they are a waste of tax payer money and it is just government welfare for the business community. I would allow Marijuana to be sold in the city and tax it at 3% and the revenue to go to the city government.
Re-Elect
MOE GILL For Council Moe Gill was born in Punjab, India, arrived in Canada in 1955, and moved to Abbotsford in 1975. Moe has served on Abbotsford Council since 1996. Moe Gill has served on committees: Traffic Safety Advisory Committee; Matsqui Dyking, Drainage and Irrigation Committee; AgriFair Board; Fraser Valley Regional District Board; Glen Valley Dyking District Committee; Local Court of Revisions for Frontage Tax; Parcel Tax Review Panel and numerous other local committees
and other agreements. It is not so much that changes in spending need to occur, rather, it is that more funding from provincial and federal levels of government for infrastructure and other needs ought to be effectively pursued.
Brenda Falk
EDUCATION:
Mission High School OCCUPATION:
Farmer and City Councilor POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Seventeen Council
years
on
PARTY AFFILIATION:
AbbotsfordFirst EDUCATION:
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Numerous committees, boards and Rotary KEY ISSUES:
• Public safety, policing and fire services resources. • Homelessness • Abbotsford’s economic performance. Q&A:
1. The homeless in Abbotsford have not had their needs properly addressed. I believe that we need to not marginalize them further than they have already been. It was and is unacceptable to not recognize that there are a mixture of reasons people are homeless (poverty, mental illness etc). We need to coordinate the government and community resources to provide physical and social solutions. 2. Municipal spending is allocated through the budget. Recent budgets have held spending in line. Certain annual and multi-year spending is locked in by contracts
Fashion Design UFV, Landscape Design-Horticulture Kwantlen College OCCUPATION:
Self-employed farmer and business woman POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Member of the Agriculture Advisory Committee, as well as Economic Development Advisory Committee, a member of the Mayor’s Task Force for Economic Development RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Co- Creator of the ‘Passport to Christmas’ and the Abbotsford and Regional ‘Circle Farm Tour’. KEY ISSUES:
• Sustainable economic development • Infrastructure deficit • Homeless Issue Q&A:
1. Abbotsford has a tremendous amount of resources already available within the community. We must show leadership and allow B.C. Housing and Fraser
Recent Involvement in many organizations, including: Fraser Valley Cole Crop Growers Association; Fraser Valley Strawberry Growers Association; B.C. Raspberry Growers Association; Federal Agricultural Employment Services; MSA Museum Society; Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association; Abbotsford-Matsqui Rotary; Dasmesh Punjabi School and the Abbotsford Community Foundation
Health to partner with private sector social service providers such as Abbotsford Community Services, Salvation Army and Mennonite Central Committee in order to get the job done effectively.
OCCUPATION:
As Abbotsford First we would work with Fraser Health to establish an Assertive Community Treatment Team that is funded by the provincial government and provide health assessments and services for people living on the streets. These assessments would help us provide the appropriate housing and treatment options including long term detox centres. Work with B.C. Housing to establish a “Housing First” project with its evidence based, best practices model of housing individuals in a supportive housing environment. Work with MCC and Salvation Army to enhance the “Rent Bank” an innovative way to help subsidize individual families rent ensuring that families have a safe and secure home. 2. We need to define spending priorities based on their net benefit to the citizens of Abbotsford.
Abbotsford
We would be forward thinking and identify city-wide capital spending priorities, publish them and work towards those objectives, planning for the future growth and development of our community to build a long term sustainable plan for the city of Abbotsford. Infrastructure is essential to the long term Sustainable Economic Growth of Abbotsford and we would work hard to develop to insure infill of our City instead of outward sprawl maximizing existing infrastructure and maximizing revenue generated by such development.
Raymond Kobes
Moe Gill is proud to live in the beautiful City of Abbotsford. He is grateful for the opportunity to serve the community especially on issues surrounding its ongoing growth.
COMMITMENT & EXPERIENCE email: moegill@shaw.ca
604.746.1138 •
Cell:
604.807.1531
Authorized by Manbir Banwait, Financial Agent 778-241-4472
Vote WILSON, Shirley for SCHOOL TRUSTEE
Authorized by Financial Agent, Shirley Wilson 778-241-5576
EDUCATION:
Enrolled at the University of the Fraser Valley
Student POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Post-Secondary Commissioner on the Parks; Recreation and Culture Commission RESIDENCY: COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Jam in Jubilee organizer; Friday Nite Basketball Gym director; volunteer for various events in Abbotsford KEY ISSUES:
• Fiscal responsibility and dealing with our municipal debt. • Providing a long-term solution for homelessness. • Increased awareness and emphasis on arts and culture in Abbotsford. Q&A:
1. I support the Housing First approach in which the homeless do not work through the different levels of housing, but rather are immediately moved into their own residence. Stable housing is the first and primary need. Other issues can be dealt with once they have a home to live in. Many of the homeless people are addicts and are in dire need of housing, regardless of their habits and lifestyles. A coordinator that ensures all programs relating to the homeless are working together is also needed. Most importantly, we must stop treating and thinking about the homeless as stats and problems. They are people that need our help and support. A society is judged on how it treats its weakest and most vulnerable members. 2. In order for municipal spending to be accountable, constant reviews and analyses are essential in order that money is being used properly and distributed in a fair and priority-based manner. With regards to Parks, Recreation and Culture I would be in favour of shifting more funding to culture as it only received 7% of the PRC budget in 2013. With regards to spending, we must build a plan in order to reduce and eventually eliminate our municipal debt.
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
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COUNCIL CANDIDATES Kelly Chahal
PARTY AFFILIATION:
AbbotsfordFirst EDUCATION:
will continue to feel the residual effects for some time leaving us with little room for other projects. Poor planning, decision making has left the City of Abbotsford with a low tax base and little room for further development.
Nathan Loewen
Master’s in Criminal Justice OCCUPATION:
Independent chairperson CSC, Probation Officer RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Involved in intercultural, multicultural, interfaith, criminal justice, and social justice. I am on Senate at UFV, Public Relations
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts Geography OCCUPATION:
Manager of contracting business, currently student
KEY ISSUES:
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
• Fiscal Responsibility - High taxes, low tax base • Lack of encouragement and responsivity towards business development • Homelessness, affordable housing
Fraser Valley Regional Committee of BC Green Party, assisted with local campaigns
Q&A:
1. Any one of us can find ourselves in difficult situations and one can only hope we are treated with dignity and compassion. We need to work with other levels of government and resource providers to address issues of individuals facing homelessness. A multifaceted approach needs to address multifaceted issues – each individual has found themselves in a state of homelessness for a variety of reasons and there is no one simple approach. Each individual deserves respect and dignity in any approach to any proposed interventions. 2. Decisions around municipal spending requires a lot of information gathering, and not just short term thinking but especially long term thinking. Experience of Council plays a big role when it comes down to making those difficult decisions that have long term effects –the City needs to be mindful and take personal responsibility of the public purse. We all are paying for the mistakes made with the event center and
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Volunteer with Fraser Valley Conservancy & Fraser Valley Watershed Coalition, member of the Scandinavian Club of Abbotsford, formerly social advocate with Vancouver-based Streams of Justice. KEY ISSUES:
• Adhering to sustainable/green urban development • End homelessness and support affordable housing options. • Attracting innovative clean-tech businesses and quality employers Q&A:
1. My plan is to employ a multi-faceted approach following examples from other cities where homelessness strategies have shown to be effective. This must include working with a Housing First strategy. Harm Reduction must be integrated into this strategy to allow chronic addicts and users a chance to first receive low-barrier housing and other assistance without having to be ‘clean’ as they may be in life or death scenarios. “Assertive community treatment” (ACT) teams should compliment with bringing health, mental health, and sub-
stance abuse treatment services directly to clients where and when they are needed. Street outreach workers are to be points of contact for individuals needing access to housing assistance. Most importantly, develop long and short term plans for ensuring enough permanent affordable housing options are available to prevent more people from slipping into homelessness. 2. As a Green, I firmly believe in fiscal sustainability and balanced budgets to the very best of our city’s means. It must also be viewed in balance with the long term vision for a healthy, equitable and just city that looks after everyone. I would aim to decrease the spending on sectors that carry fewer benefits as seen through the lens of sustainability and shifting it towards sectors that offer greater benefits to our community’s future.
Marlisa Power
EDUCATION:
Honours Bachelors of Arts - History/English OCCUPATION:
Consultant, Power House Consulting; project and event co-ordinator/social media marketer and actress
accountability/transparency • Ease/Attractiveness of doing business in Abbotsford Q&A:
1. I believe a solution modeled on the City of Nanaimo’s approach which worked well in that city - 46 were housed and housing for 160 more is underway could be implemented in Abbotsford. The stakeholders involved (city, community services, police, health care, Salvation Army, churches/ outreach etc.) worked with each homeless person one on one to come up with individualized plans and solutions to get the person the help they needed. The homeless are made up of unique individuals who have individual needs and challenges which have to be addressed in order to successfully get them off the streets. A band aid solution or telling the homeless this is the one solution we are offering and you better like or we won’t help will not work and does not demonstrate compassion. The one on one approach made the homeless feel included and part of the community and because they had a say in determining their own solution, the success rate was higher. The homeless who did not care for the attention because of their criminal activity left town. 2. Spending needs to be fiscally responsible and balanced. Property
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Student council member in high school, student union member in university RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Abbotsford Farm & Country Market volunteer, Canadian Cancer Society office volunteer, Canadian Kidney Foundation Walk committee member, help at The Warm Zone, member of Grace Church, Abbotsford Hospice Society volunteer. KEY ISSUES:
• Homelessness Immediate shelter & longer-term multitiered solutions • Fiscal responsibility/
RE-ELECT
Cindy SCHAFER for
School Trustee • Experienced • Innovative • Hardworking • Common Sense Approach Authorized by C. Schafer Financial Agent
schafer4trustee@gmail.com
tax increase is not an option. We need to stop property tax increases which if higher than inflation will affect quality of life. The percentage amount of money spent on services has to be readjusted. I believe more funds need to be spent on the arts and culture, promoting all things local, community events, transportation and helping the homeless and less in other areas.
Paul Redekopp
PARTY AFFILIATION:
Trinity Western/North West Bible College OCCUPATION:
Driver at Alliance Concrete Pumps POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Former BC Conservative Party Candidate 2013 provincial election. Currently BC Conservative Party vice-president RESIDENCY:
East Abbotsford Whatcom area COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Currently on the Board
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of directors at Fraser Valley Child Development Center, Volunteer with developmentally disabled adults, member at TRBN and a marriage coach. KEY ISSUES:
• Homelessness • Safer streets and communities • Property tax, user fees and the highest unemployment rates in BC
debt is very attractive to new business and with that comes more jobs and a broader tax base. We all now that small business is the back bone to our economy so we must do our part to bring small/medium business to Abbotsford.
Doug Rempel
Q&A:
1. We cannot run and hide from our homeless community but rather we must find ways to reach out to them. Not tell them what we think is best for them but ask “how can we best help you?” Forming another government run program is not the answer, instead we need to empower our not-forprofit organizations to succeed in their mission, vision and goals. Encourage and support them by providing and equipping them with the necessary tools that they need to achieve those goals. 2. With our debt in excess of $100 million, we need to spend smart and become fiscally responsible. We need to prioritize our spending and lower our taxes. A city with low tax and low
EDUCATION:
UBC Sauder School of Business RED OCCUPATION:
Real Estate sales RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford central COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Member of Chamber of Commerce, Triathlon BC, Fraser Valley Real Estate Board. Currently volunteer time for Habitat for Humanity UFV and the Abbotsford Triathlon. Previous volunteer work includes all the past summer games, coaching football at Rick Hansen Secondary School, Abbotsford Youth ComCONTINUED ON 30
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mission, Junior achievement, and Toast Masters. Board of director for GARD an organization that does water and health programs in Uganda. KEY ISSUES:
• City debt • Homelessness/affordable housing • Sustainable development Q&A:
1. I plan to support the organizations that have the expertise in this area. I want to continue to work towards having a safe place for our most marginalized to live. I plan to continue to donate my time and money to be a part of the solution and walk the walk with them not just talk the talk. I am going to continue to put pressure on the provincial and federal governments to supply us with funding to help eliminate poverty. I am currently
helping to organize a fundraising event that will raise funds for homelessness and affordable housing. 2. We need to look at every penny we spend. We need to look at how much we spend on the top salaries at the city. When someone quits or retires let’s think long and hard if we need to replace them, let’s talk to staff and see if we have people already on staff that can fill in the gaps without compromising our public service. Maybe we replace our city vehicles a little less often or think about landscaping our city properties and parks with plants that take less maintenance and are still beautiful. I will engage with other communities that have been successful with being debt free or getting out of debt to learn from them.
COUNCIL CANDIDATES Tina Stewart
EDUCATION:
UFV Business Tech with Accounting. OCCUPATION:
Executive Director, ADBA RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Volunteer palliative and bereavement companion at Abbotsford Hospice; committee member - Purple Light Nights Campaign; committee member - FV Diversity and Immigration Partnership Council
Q&A:
1. I believe it is absolutely necessary to fill in the many holes in the list of services Abbotsford does have available, such as detox and a central system to enquire about and access services that one might need. Typically, when help is needed, citizens don’t know where to turn, and unfortunately become tired of trying. We need to help our marginalized community before they are feeling completely helpless and broken.
KEY ISSUES:
Many of our homeless population have simply run into hardship in their life. The lack of affordable housing and job opportunities that meet or exceed the Living Wage needs to be addressed.
• Development of jobs that meet or exceed the Living Wage • Affordable housing; increased medium and high density housing • Transit
2. Our community cannot thrive if we do not support it.The City needs to be held accountable for their spending habits and needs to develop a mandate of local spending if the service/
product is available. Initially, certainly the cost may be slightly higher, but the overall trickle effect on the community will make up for it with thriving/growing businesses, stronger tax base, more jobs and security for employees.
*Patricia Ross
ronmental Advisory committee, Homelessness Task Force, Abbotsford/Mission Water and Sewer Commission, Working to stop Metro Vancouver from building polluting garbage incinerators and promote a better way of dealing with waste. Chamber of Commerce committees and Victim Services volunteer. KEY ISSUES:
EDUCATION:
Graduate of Leadership for Environment and Development International OCCUPATION:
Abbotsford Councillor POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Abbotsford since 1994
councillor
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Restorative Justice, Envi-
• Homelessness, ensuring everyone has a home. • Environmental/quality of life threats such as Metro Vancouver’s plans to build a polluting garbage incinerator and pipelines • Taxes, ensuring enough for todays needs and services, while not putting at risk our future Q&A:
1. I support the recommendations of the Homeless Task force, which I participated in as co-chair and their
goal that everyone has a home. 2. I see our biggest threat to our tax base as being the downloading from senior levels of government, particularly in regards to infrastructure needs (more
critical
as
it
ages), which have substantial financial costs that local government does not have the ability to fund alone. Yet senior levels are pulling away from funding those more and more. If this continues, the costs to local taxpayers will be substantial. The Federation of Canadian Municipalities and Union of BC Municipalities is working hard to address this on our behalf, but I believe we need to become more involved and do more to inform people
and
organizations.
engage
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
20 election! 14
COUNCIL CANDIDATES David Sahlstrom
EDUCATION:
Master of Business Adminstration - MBA, Professional Agrologist (PAg) OCCUPATION:
as examining not only immediate costs but the long term benefits and liabilities. As residents of Abbotsford we shouldn’t be paying for the costs of development. There is good development and bad development and we should learn to tell the difference so we can say no to the bad development.
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
2. Local government must focus on its core responsibilities. Our city has drifted off course by funding large projects that should have been left to the private sector to fund. We need to identify our priorities such as: our infrastructure deficit in regards to roads, sewer and water and focus on sustainable economic development. Densification of our urban core and industrial lands is a cost effective way to maximize our existing infrastructure. Developing industrial lands outside of our current development area should not be considered until proper infilling of our existing industrial properties has been achieved. We should not be taking any lands out of the ALR. Once the Official Community Plan is updated we need to stick to the plan.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Ken Wuschke
Ross Siemens
Partner in bed & breakfast, business consulting RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
MSA Museum Society, Arts Council, donated to various community groups, worked on the HST repeal referendum. KEY ISSUES:
• How candidates will support their vision and dreams for Abbotsford • Qualifications of the candidates to carry out the responsibilities of councillor. Q&A:
1. Re-examining the decision to hire a Homeless Coordinator as the City has no experience or expertise in this area. Striking a homeless committee that included homeless representatives, the care communities and provincial and federal agencies with the terms of reference to coordinate the work and that the City provide assistance to this committee. Until adequate housing supply is provided, we need to provide a location where the homeless could camp and engage the care communities to provide services to it. - Instruct the APD to end their policy of dislocating and dispersing while maintaining law enforcement. Until we as a society can provide the needs of this marginalized community, we should not discriminate or harass them. 2. Abbotsford spends money in many areas that are not part of the core responsibilities of local government and we need to examine bylaws, programs and spending to determine how they align with our responsibilities as well
be accessed. Secondly, our city must engage and work with B.C. Housing to establish appropriate Housing First locations. A detailed plan to deal with homelessness is on the AbbotsfordFirst web site.
PARTY AFFILIATION:
AbbotsfordFirst EDUCATION:
Fraser Valley College and Trinity Western University OCCUPATION:
Owner/manager of Hub Motor Service POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Elected at the age of 23 to the District of Abbotsford Council in 1986 and reelected in 1988.
Founding member of the Abbotsford Downtown Business Association; served on the Board of Directors of Abbotsford Community Services; serve on the Board of Directors of the Abbotsford Sports Hall of Fame. KEY ISSUES:
• Homelessness • Debt and infrastructure deficit. • Economic development. Q&A:
1. The city needs to work with senior levels of government and private sector service providers to work towards housing availability for all our citizens. First we must establish an ACT Team through Fraser Health. An ACT Team is an acronym for Assertive Community Treatment. These teams are funded by Fraser Health and help to assess an individuals needs where they are on the street. Once a relationship is established and need are assessed appropriate housing and/or treatment options can then
EDUCATION:
Certificate in Public Safety Communications, Kwantlen Polytechnic University OCCUPATION:
Wooden drawer assembler
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
None RESIDENCY: Blueridge
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
City of Abbotsford Traffic Safety Advisory Committee, member; City of Abbotsford Heritage Working Group, member; Clearbrook Elementary School PAC, past president; Cycling Abbotsford, past chair; MSA Museum Society, former board member; Friends of the MSA Centennial Library, past chair; BC Historical Federation, board member; Abbotsford Bicycle Valet, organizer KEY ISSUES:
• Homelessness • Bringing the citizen’s voice into the committee process • Paying down debt, maintaining current service levels, investing in infrastructure. Q&A:
1. To create an on-going Homeless Advisory Committee where some members are actually homeless or have recently gained housing after being homeless. To establish three homeless programs where drug addiction recovery, mental health, and other reasons that one become homeless are addressed. And to have these streams run by non-profits that focus on these programs. Finally, to have those who go through the homeless streams to have job skills programs available to them so they are able to obtain employment. 2. Presently the municipal spending is at a good balance overall. However, we need to find cost saving measures on different services. Further
I would like develop a Waste Busters webpage where the public can make recommendations as to where City Hall can save money. People know their neighbourhood best and often they have great ideas on how to save money. We have to start planning now to invest wisely in upgrading our current infrastructure as our population grows. Whether it be roads, water mains, or sewer pipes our growing population will continue to put stress on this vital part of the city’s functions. Further we have to start to develop a replacement plan for existing infrastructure as the water mains and sewer pipes begin to age. One area where City Hall may have to look to spend money is to hire more staff to help shorten the length of time involved in processing building permits.
*Dave Loewen
EDUCATION:
S.F.U. - B.A. (Sociology); PDP UVic – M.Ed. (Educational Administration) OCCUPATION:
Retired high school teacher/administrator POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Three terms on Abbotsford council RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
MCC BC board and executive, including
chair; national and local church committees; Canadian Mennonite University council chair; director on Federation of Independent Schools Associations Board; Heart2Heart, Haiti board; Mennonite Historical Society of BC Board; member of Abbotsford Rotary Club; member of Level Ground Mennonite Church; participant in Ken Herar’s ‘Cycling4Diversity’ KEY ISSUES:
• Fiscal policies that build and maintain sustainability - delivering vital services to citizens without jeopardizing future capacity to deliver same. • Housing – affordable housing for homeless and those on verge of homelessness • Safety – supporting present levels of police and fire safety Q&A:
1. The last “homelessness count” revealed that 70% of those interviewed said that affordable housing and/or a greater income would be the solution to their state of homelessness. Therefore, we need to continue pursuing the establishment of low-barrier housing for homeless, while supporting initiatives to provide more affordable housing (eg. Lynnhaven Society project). I will support the efforts of the City’s newly-established staff position to facilitate collaboration between City Hall local Service Providers to address this issue. In the short term, I am prepared to consider a “Dignity Village”, however, I will also state I have some strong reservations. There may
Rick Barkwell
ELECT We live in a beautiful city...
We can make it better. Fiscal responsibility, better capital management, and a progressive welcoming approach to new business, industry and residents will have our city flourish and growing into the best city in the province. Together we will make Abbotsford better. On November 15th we have a choice. We can choose to move forward in a positive manner or dwell on past mistakes and shortchange our future. I am asking for your vote to help make this positive change. I will work for Abbotsford and for you. Together we will make Abbotsford better. Thank you!
Elect Rick Barkwell for Council www.rickbarkwellforabby.ca Authorized by Ralph Payne, Financial Agent • rick@rickbarkwellforabby.ca
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be other more viable options. 2. I think our present city manager has brought with him a skill set, which he has applied in making some significant course changes; changes that have reduced operating expenses, increased efficiencies, and maintained present services, allowing us to hold property tax increases near 0%. A modest surplus of approximately $10 million has been realized in each of the past two years, and I’m confident we are on a more fiscally-sustainable path – poised to continue reducing operating expenses, pre-paying debt and holding tax increases at or near zero. It must also be noted that there is a continual downloading of services on local governments, that are not their legislated mandate, and which I don’t feel will be decreasing. This has the effect of putting an increased strain on municipal budgets. One example of this has been the maintenance of our dikes, where the City has paid 55% of $11 million-plus over the last seven years.
Gerda Peachey
EDUCATION:
Halfway through a Bachelor of Arts, and two years of Horticulture at UFV CONTINUED ON 34
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Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
KEEP ABBOTSFORD MOVING FORWARD
NOVEMBER 15
RE-ELECT MAYOR BANMAN A LEADER DELIVERS LOW TAXES Mayor Banman delivered you a 0% tax increase in 2014. The first 0% tax increase in 18 years.
JOBS Mayor Banman has supported job-creating initiatives such as the West Abbotsford Industrial Park that will bring $11 million in annual revenue, $14 million in DCC fees, and 4,500 new jobs for Abbotsford.
DEBT REDUCTION Under Mayor Banman’s leadership we implemented a new 5-year financial plan that will eliminate Abbotsford’s operational debt in 2016.
A SAFER ABBOTSFORD Under Mayor Banman’s leadership we achieved an 11% reduction in crime.
CONTROLLED SPENDING With your help Mayor Banman stopped the expensive Water Project saving Abbotsford more than $345 million. Mayor Banman also put an end to the unsustainable Abbotsford Heat deal saving taxpayers millions of dollars. These two achievements alone mean thousands of dollars in savings for you. Authorized by Cheryl North, Financial Agent for Bruce Banman, reelectbanman@gmail.com
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Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
election!20 14
FROM 31
OCCUPATION:
Wife, mom, grandmother, gardner, prison volunteer, musician (offkey) POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Also ran four times. Decades of volunteer work for candidates vying for office in federal, provincial and municipal elections. RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Sing hymns with residents at seniors homes. Hang out with fellow jammers at local coffee houses. Been part of the local naturalists and the local rock and gem club. KEY ISSUES:
• Tend to the pragmatic business of running our city, • Do not sign contracts with big business and big amusements that hurt us financially. • Write sensible, doable and enforceable by-laws. Q&A:
1. Demand that the senior levels of government do their part. Mental health, which is an obvious factor has to be addressed by Fraser Health. Thank the wonderful groups, and individuals who are giving of their time and money to help the helpless Work with them when
possible, but insofar as the courts don’t stand in the way, the present squalor and danger posed by spreading homeless ‘camps’ must not be allowed. There are empty buildings that would be better than living in the rain and cold and danger of the streets. No housing proposal for drug addicted folk can be set up without security staff, both for the residents, and for the neighbourhood. 2. The Financial Reports reveal a long list of Consultants, who get paid some hefty amounts of our tax dollars. It is not always obvious what these consultants did to earn so much money, and why with almost a thousand people on staff at City Hall, why we should require so much outside expertise. The future looks worse as the current council seems determined to engage more heavily with ‘third-party’ economic development.
Karen Young
EDUCATION:
SFU, Publishing
COUNCIL CANDIDATES OCCUPATION:
Director of development (fundraising), semi-retired RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Board of Governors, past-president of the Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce in 2001; President, Rotary Club; President of the Abbotsford Symphony Orchestra Society (to 2007). Abbotsford Arts and Heritage Advisory Committee member (2006–11) KEY ISSUES:
• Social inclusion • Fiscal responsibility and transparency • Customer-focused service within city hall Q&A:
1. First, recognize that people who are homeless and at risk of homelessness must be treated with dignity and respect. Set a goal to end homelessness within a defined timeline by providing for (through partnerships and informed communications) a wide range of solutions that will both assist people who are currently homeless – whether street homeless, sofa-surfing, or living in unsecure housing – and address some of the root causes of Concrete solutions in accordance with guidelines and outcomes laid out by Council, matching best practices, and
with understanding of our community may include a range of the following: staffed, minimal barriered housing overseen by the nonprofit sector; affordable housing appropriate to the health and safety needs of an individual; outreach services to directly assist people to maintain their housing by liaising with landlords, and assist with maintaining health. Funding will be partnership with senior levels of government, health authorities, public Foundations and private funding.
EDUCATION:
2. Spending rises and falls with need. As in any budget, spending is linked to income, and also to the needs of the community. As Abbotsford grows, spending must increase to keep pace with cost of living, and with essential services that keep us safe. We must also put money aside for infrastructure upgrades and emergency preparedness. And, of course, balance spending with income.
1. We need to move immediately with approvals for the proposed Dignity Village on Valley Road as well as proceeding as fast as possible to still acquire provincial funding for a low barrier 22-bed unit which was available for the previous project but rejected at city hall. Neither of these two projects will bring an end to our current needs however, it is critical that we make a start while continuing to pressure senior governments whose responsibility it is to provide housing and or health care needs.
Hank Roos
Gerda Peachey FOR COUNCIL
RE-ELECT
gerdapeacheysviews.wordpress.com gerdapeachey@gmail.com | 604-852-4650
Authorized by Gerda Peachey gerdapeachey@gmail.com
OCCUPATION:
Retired project manager and estimator RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Served on church and independent school boards. President of the Abbotsford-Mission Nature Club for 12 years. KEY ISSUES:
• Manage growth in a sustainable way • Homelessness • Attracting new clean hi-tech industries Q&A:
2. We need to address the current underfunding for “arts and culture”. As well we need to start a long term dedicated fund to purchase valu-
VOTE
Municipal government must use taxpayer money to provide and maintain roads, sewers, police, parks, pools, rinks, etc. for local residents. City Hall must expedite applications for building permits and business development. Staff must answer public inquiries in an efficient and timely manner. City council should not consign taxpayers to heavy debt loads by entering into Big Business or Big Entertainment contracts, beyond their mandate and beyond their expertise. By-laws must be written that are rational, doable and enforceable. Zoning bylaws must be enforced consistently, fairly and without bias — not waiting for the public to complain. Council has approved many development applications asking for relaxed setbacks. So while owners maximize the footprint of their properties, our city is losing the beauty and utility of green space. Trees, bushes, flowers and grass nurture insects and birds that are pleasing to the eye. But these living creatures are also necessary for pollinating our farms and gardens. We need nine INDIVIDUAL leaders who will carefully study every matter before them, and then act in the best interests of Abbotsford. Mayor and council must open all possible financial dealings to the public, whose tax payments foot the bill for every decision made by City Hall. City Hall works for, and must be accountable to, the boss: the public.
High school
1 2 3 A
Preet
able, undeveloped green spaces in the upland areas to address future needs for recreation and to protect valuable eco-sensitive areas already identified in a biophysical inventory. Other B.C. jurisdictions have done that very successfully by using such a fund to purchase land when opportunities arise. We seem to be able to find the funds to create green spaces after land has been rezoned and expensive as for example around Mill Lake. I suggest we might want to learn from the past and be more visionary for the future.
Council candidates Ward Draper and Aird Flavelle did not submit responses.
SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATES * Indicates incumbent
*Rhonda Pauls
EDUCATION:
Studied physical edu-
Rai
School Trustee Abbotsford Board of Education
Children are our future. Support public education. /ReElectPreetRai wwww.PreetRai.ca
C
Authorized by Preet Rai, financial agent - raiaji@telus.net
cation and coaching at Trinity Western University POLITICIAN:
Youth Sport development
Official
POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
3 years as Board of Education Trustee, one year vice chair RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Character Canada Council; Youth Asset Development presenter; BC Selects Female Baseball; District Parent Advisory Council vice-chair, chair; Abbotsford Angels Hardball Association umpirein-chief; Baseball Canada umpire instructor; British Columbia Baseball Umpires Association; community/school sport coach KEY ISSUES:
• Importance of focus on early learning. A student’s long term success can be predicted by the time he/ she is in grade 3. We need to ensure that in such a diverse community where our students come to us speaking dozens of different languages and bring varying life experiences to the classroom, we are able to bring them all to a place where they can have success. We need to continue building Strong Start/ Kindergarten readi-
VOTE
Doug
Rempel for council
Integrity Inclusion Inspiration
www.dougrempelabbotsford.com Authorized by Financial Agent Doug Rempel 604-859-3141
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
20 election! 14
SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATES ness options, expand co-teaching in primary classrooms for English Language Learners, develop more resources for supporting the mental health issues we see escalating in our young students, and work to equip our families to support students in the home. • Need for teacher training. The number one determinant of a student’s success in school is the effectiveness of the teacher. The diversity of students we are now seeing in every classroom calls for a move towards teachers having the ability to differentiate instruction within each class, be equipped to support students with special needs in the classroom, and be proficient in scaffolding English language learners instruction during regular classroom instruction. We need to continue to develop and train educators in co-teaching models in our classrooms, create more opportunity for shared best practice among teachers, teacher mentoring partnerships, and work with our post-secondary institutions to ensure our new teachers are
graduating with the adaptability skills our every changing systems now demands.
*Stan Petersen
EDUCATION:
BSc, MEd, EdD OCCUPATION: Retired POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Incumbent school trustee (one term) RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Vice president of Abbotsford Youth Commission; member Clearbrook Kiwanis; Sports Hall of Fame selection committee chair; chair of Hands Up for the Community; committee member of the Abbotsford City Police Basketball Tournament; chair of the AbbyFest organizing committee; Parks, Recreation, and Culture commissioner; board member for the Reach; board member of Abbotsford Restorative Justice and Advocacy Association; board member of Character Abbotsford. KEY ISSUES:
• Abbotsford is a great school district. We
have strong leadership and excellent teachers and support staff. We have great support from parents and our community. Our students excel in their classrooms and in the many opportunities provided in our district. • Our challenge is to find more ways to support the growing diversity in our classrooms. We need to add more classroom resources and we need to support our teachers to address this diversity. We need to continue to partner with community agencies in supporting all of our students. We need to continue with our early childhood education agenda so that all students have a strong start to their educational experience. We need to create an individualized education for every student so that each can find his or her passion and success. • Our challenge is also to continue to improve communication with all our educational stakeholders. Our teachers, support staff, parents, and our community need to feel confident in the direction of the board and have input in setting this direction. Teamwork
and collaboration are essential. • I believe that I have the experience and passion to address these challenges and make our great school district even better. I look for your support on Nov. 15.
*Cindy Schafer
EDUCATION:
College Diploma OCCUPATION:
Interior Designer POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Incumbent trustee
school
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Past PRCC chair and commissioner; District Parent Advisory Council chair; Traffic and Safety Advisory Committee member; Abbotsford Community Foundation Awards committee member; numerous School District committees; BC School Trustee Association representative and finance committee member. KEY ISSUES:
• Voters should consider candidates who understand the role of
A Positive Voice, For Positive Change!
elected School Trustees and understand the governance work of an elected Board of Education. Representatives are elected by the community, on behalf of the community, to provide accountability and oversight to public education. Boards of Education have legislated responsibilities to fulfill, such as, submission of the Annual Budget and Student Achievement Contract. Setting policy is board work and is ongoing, as views and needs change and are addressed through policy development. Visiting schools (when appropriate), participating in student and school celebrations, and seeing our students graduate is rewarding and gratifying work of a Trustee. • Voters should consider candidates who will advocate broadly for public education at all levels of government and through provincial and national organizations who impact the work of boards. • As current Chair of the Abbotsford Board of Education, it has been my privilege to be an elected trustee for the past nine years, including six years as Chair. I share
the vision of providing a world-class, innovative, and individualized educational experience for every student. I have been, and will continue to be a strong advocate for public education, keeping the best interests of students, their families and the community in mind, while conducting board business. Thank you, Cindy Schafer, School Trustee.
*Shirley Wilson
EDUCATION:
Final stages of BA in Adult Education at UFV OCCUPATION:
Contract fund development and leadership in the charity and nonprofit sector. Previous employment includes BBBS of the Fraser Valley and the FV Child Development Centre. POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Elected to Board of Education in 2005 (three terms served); director with BC Public School Employers Association (2012-2013). RESIDENCY: Abbotsford
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Rotary Club of Abbotsford; Peer Reviewer (accreditation) with ImagineCanada.ca; various liaison roles with Board of Education; volunteering with local or regional boards, local, provincial and national events; and liaising with many children and families serving charities in Abbotsford and the Fraser Valley. KEY ISSUES:
Student success: Every child counts. I recently heard a speaker talk about the difference between “each” and “all”. We can talk about wanting to ensure all children meet with success. But a much more laudable goal is to ensure each child meets their own potential. Our work at the Board of Education demonstrates this. We provide additional resources to students who need support, but may not be eligible for additional provincial funding. We want each student supported in their learning. We understand we need to do more to respond early to the needs of each child. We organize our various staff beyond teachers and principals from custodians to educational assistants to secretaries to bus drivers and more, utilizing our CONTINUED ON 36
“Balbir wants the best for children in our schools.”
ELECT BALBIR GILL SCHOOL TRUSTEE
Nov.15 Elect th
Karen
YOUNG City Council
Authorized by financial Agent Karen Young. KarenYoung4council@hotmail.com • www.karenyoung.info
A better Abbotsford for working families
Creating a strong foundation for the next 20 years
Finding fiscal balance to maintain
“Balbir’s experience in the library field and his keen interest in promoting literacy for our youth, make him an ideal candidate for school trustee. I’m pleased to support him in the November 15 election.” - Ralph Payne
the city’s service levels
BUILDING TRUST BUILDING COMMUNITY
www.ken4council.ca Authorized by Ken Wuschke, financial agent, ken@ken4council.ca
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• ROTARIAN TARIAN • VOLUNTEER • LITERACY ADVOCATE • COMMUNITY LEADER Authorized by Financial Agent Maninder Gill. 604-614-2442
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
20 election!14 FROM 35
EDUCATION:
funding appropriately to stretch each dollar…not stretch the individual.
Completed high school in Edmonton and graduated from NAIT (Northern Alberta institute of technology)
Board Governance: We are entering a four year term in a time when change for Boards will be certain. Who you vote for will impact decision making both locally and provincially. Are boards going away? Not likely, but certainly the role we play now may change. Abbotsford is respected as a board as we are sound financially and understand our role. As a member of a board which implemented a strategic plan, we work with the end in mind to prepare students for a lifetime of success. We plan in a fiscally prudent and financially sustainable manner. We work well with what we have. With shifting demographics in our workforce and in our families, it is important to maintain solid decision making and consistency at the board table.
Phil Anderson
SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATES *Preet Rai
ever, there is always room for improving educational experiences for our children.
OCCUPATION:
Retired in 2013. Business owner (Ambassador Auto Repairs) for 30 years (sold business in 2014). Heavy duty mechanic by trade. POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
School Board trustee for nine years in Lloydminster, Alberta/Saskatchewan. One year as board chair. RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford. COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Involved in my local church; head up the ‘First Contact’ area. KEY ISSUES:
• Class sizes too large for an individual teacher. • Children with special needs, like ADHD and other needs that may be disruptive in the class setting, need specialty classes geared to helping them get an education. • Trustees need to be a link between the classroom and the community. Education is a stepping stone to the work force or further education. We need to be preparing students for either choice.
EDUCATION:
Chartered Accountant (India) OCCUPATION:
Auditor for B.C. government. POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Elected trustee for two terms in 2008 and 2011. RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
The Reach board; Literacy Matters board; Community of Character board; Abbyfest board; MSA Museum board; Cycling for Diversity; Sister City committee; Abbotsford Youth commission; Canuck Place campaign executive committee; organizer of Abby Fest volunteers; chair of the finance committee for the school district. KEY ISSUES:
• I am thankful to the administrators, teachers, support staff in helping the district achieve new heights and due to their hard work and dedication we as a district are leading the province in many areas. How-
ELECT
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have the opportunity and flexibility to access programs and services of their choice. We have Integrated Arts schools, traditional schools, trade programs, various languages being offered, academies like hockey, aviation available as choices. These successful programs plus more choices reflecting the needs of students should be available. Creating a broad learning environment goes a very long way in ensuring that every single student is successful.
• I have been serving on the Board of Education for the last six years as a school trustee. There are a number of things that the school district is working on to further improve and provide excellent education to our kids. The two areas that I think we need to further focus on are 21st century individualized learning and how to be more flexible and have more choice available. • Technological innovations have been developing at a rapid pace. It is time to take advantage of this and while many resources and supports are available for students, we can always be further working on the needs of students and the staff. We can ensure that students have the tools to learn at their own pace, a pace that they feel comfortable at and which maximizes their individual learning capacities. We can work on educating them towards careers that they will excel in and ultimately ensure their individual learning success.
1 2 3 A • All students should
Freddy
Noah Arney
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Education (UBC); Bachelor of Arts (UFV) OCCUPATION:
Student Advisor, Native Education College POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Involved in student government at UFV RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Four years on the exec-
Latham
School Trustee Abbotsford Board of Education
Children are our future. Support public education.
C
/FreddyLatham wwww.FreddyLatham.ca
Authorized by Freddy Latham, financial agent - FreddyLatham4Trustee@Telus.net
utive of a local not-forprofit educational association, two as the president. KEY ISSUES:
• Communication with Abbotsford residents: Communication should be open, accessible, easy, and two way. We should be doing everything in our power to have as much local input on school board decisions as possible. Education is the interest of every citizen and we should be doing a better job of ensuring that the whole city is aware of and able to give feedback on current issues. One example of how communication failed was in the proposed pay increase (trustee indemnity) for School Trustees. If communication had been better both ways the end result would either have been voting against the increase or the board would have been able to better explain why they feel it was needed. • Although the current board is very good at ensuring that information about school and community activities programs and events are disseminated the information coming out about the board’s decisions is limited to the news-
letter and the meeting minutes. Information about topics before the board should be easily accessible and published in multiple venues including through the district’s social media ahead of meeting times. • Advocating with the provincial government: The school board needs to be a public advocate for education and should be representing the diverse needs of our community. The purpose of the school board system is to allow a measure of local control over local education and to be a voice for the community to the government regarding education. Otherwise the government might as well abolish the elected school boards and replace them with local appointed school boards. The school trustees need to take the concerns of the community and ensure that they are being listened to.
Balbir Gill
EDUCATION:
Re-Elect
MOE GILL
For Council • Support the Cultural Groups and
Activities in Abbotsford • Work to Build a Strong and Vibrant Community • Support Balanced Economic Prosperity of Abbotsford • Maintain Dyking and Drainage System and Prevention of Flooding
COMMITMENT & EXPERIENCE email: moegill@shaw.ca
604.746.1138 Cell: 604.807.1531 Authorized by Manbir Banwait, Financial Agent 778-241-4472
M.A. OCCUPATION:
Librarian POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Ran for School Trustee in 2011 RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY ACTIVITY:
Volunteer with Abbotsford Connect, Abbotsford Salvation Army, Canucks Place. Executive member for last 13 years for various parents advisory committees; Representative of Punjabi Parents of Traditional Schools; Abbotsford Sumas Rotary member; helped establish and maintain Little Free Libraries; United Way Fraser Valley Board member and Impact Committee Chair; Abbotsford Youth Commission Board member; Mentor for Gladwin Language Centre; Organiz-
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATES
KEY ISSUES:
• Literacy: Being a librarian for more than 20 years I have seen firsthand students in Abbotsford who are falling behind in reading, writing, and digital literacy. They don’t have adequate access or don’t know how to access technology, library resources or to qualified help. I will work hard to provide those resources needed within the district. I don’t want any students to fall through the cracks. Students need books that appeal to them, they need to have easy access to technology that they can learn and understand, they also need adult mentors and support staff to help guide them and help them become leaders of tomorrow. Let’s provide students with what they need to succeed and make it easy and desirable for them to access that help. • Communication / Listening: We need to not only care, communicate and listen to our teachers, but also our students, parents (guardians), administration and support staff. We as trustees need to develop a way to be effective communicators and partners with our teachers, students, parents and schools. We as trustees need to support, listen and genuinely care for our
teachers. It is not us vs them, we should be a team working together for the same goals. Those goals should be to make Abbotsford the best it can be! I can and will communicate to and listen to our teachers, students, parents, administrators, support staff and the citizens of Abbotsford.
Tadeusz Kuczynski
EDUCATION:
High School, Master in Martial Arts OCCUPATION:
Proprietor and Instructor at Nam Institute of Tai Chi Chuan POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Five years at the Board of Directors at Abbotsford Arts Council RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
DJ volunteer at CIVL 101.7 FM KEY ISSUES:
• Courage to represent honesty and transparency. Those issues are basic necessity in the process of education. I would activate every cultural channel to bring those issues into attention of public.
Freddy Latham
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Education (UBC) Majors in English/ Theatre OCCUPATION:
Artistic Director, Abbotsford Children’s Theatre; retired educator RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY ACTIVITY:
Chair, Parks, Recreation & Culture Commission; member, Arts & Heritage Advisory Committee; Canada Day commit-
tee member; Facilitator for joint project “We All Have A Story To Tell” stories of immigrants in Abbotsford; Ceremonies chair, 2008 Special Olympics; 2004 BC Summer Games; 2002 Disability Games & 1995 Western Canada Summer Games.
provided to help our children achieve their goals.
Kamal Gill
KEY ISSUES:
• Advocating for support of Public Education. As a Board of Education Trustee I would be visible, approachable and more vocal in advocating for the needs of all children. I would encourage more organizations and community members to partner with the school district to enhance existing programs and develop new ones. I would listen and support teachers, administrators and support staff to develop better relationships with them. I would build stronger partnerships with City Council so we can work together for the benefit of school community. In my current role as Chair of Parks, Recreation and Culture I have worked successfully with trustees, council members and public representatives and bring that leadership experience to the Board of Education. • Insufficient funding to meet the needs of all students. Class size compounded with increasing numbers of designated and undesignated students is an ongoing issue in our schools. I would work collaboratively with local and Provincial Trustees on this issue as I believe the children of B.C. deserve funding equal to the rest of Canada. Gaining support from the provincial government is critical and I would be lobbying for support of more funding for public education. I believe the role of the trustees is to ensure that the learning needs of all children in public school are being met. It is only with the highest level of co-operation that we can maximize and enhance the limited resources
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Science OCCUPATION:
Farmer and Occupational First aid attendant POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Help candidates and ran in 2008 elections
a better understanding of every culture in order to communicate effectively with every parent. Being a mother I listen to the voices of mothers that are not heard. If the whole community gets together, anything is possible. If elected, I would like to see a peaceful, respectful and safe environment for students, teachers, and parents. Our children deserve the best. United we stand, divided we fall.
Graham MacDonell
RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Volunteering for the last 31 years where ver I felt I was needed, when my children at school, I was on the pac or helped pac volunteered at community services. KEY ISSUES:
• In order to focus on the problems of students and parents, I have decided to run for a school trustee office in the upcoming elections. I hope to better interpret parents and students’ concerns to the school board. Concerns such as our children’s safety, bullying, and most importantly this rising drug issues the whole Abbotsford community faces today. I would like to ensure each child is getting a equal opportunity for a safe and healthy education. My goal is to see implementation of programs in schools that start at a earlier age of a students’ life, so they can learn early on to make better choices and accommodate them into their lifestyle. In order to do this however, I need the support of the Abbotsford community. • We need to work together to create clear communication between parents, staff, pacs and the school board. I believe that there is a always a solution to every problem, no matter the severity of it. • Abbotsford is a diverse community and I am always trying to get
EDUCATION:
Bachelor of Arts journalism, teaching certificate OCCUPATION:
Professional genealogist POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
School trustee, Surrey school district – 19781979 RESIDENCY: Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Abbotsford Genealogical Society; MSA Museum Society; Fraser Valley Heritage Fair judge and presenter; Culture days – MSA Museum Society.
20 election! 14
is the following: “British Columbians elect their Boards of Education to improve student achievement according to the diverse needs of these communities. (Education-related issue number one.) As locally-elected representatives, the trustees best understand their respective communities’ particular strengths, challenges and demands. Trustees engage their communities in building and maintaining a school system that reflects local priorities, values and expectations. (Education-related issue number two.) School trustees listen to their communities; guide the work of their school district; and, set plans, policies and the annual budget. (Trustees challenge number one.) Reflecting the strength of local representation, boards report back to their communities on how students are doing; boards are directly accountable to the people they serve. (Trustees challenge number two.) • Regarding education-related issue number one, Abbotsford School District’s Board of Education needs to attend to a
KEY ISSUES:
• As excerpted from the British Columbia School Trustees Association website, the role of a school trustee
recent drop in student achievement in a number of areas as shown by the “District Plan for Student Success”, and needs to put measures in place to fulfill their role: to improve achievement for all learners (with two objectives); to improve graduation rates (with six objectives). When it comes to Abbotsford students’ provincial exams results, the Plan addresses student achievement deficiencies and areas for improvement in a number of subjects, including Reading, Writing and Numeracy. Regarding education-related issue number two, Abbotsford trustees need to engage more with their community partners in building and maintaining a school system that reflects local priorities, values and expectations. Recent concerns on this issue are in funding, resource allocation and more support for special needs students and communicating more effectively with parents such as over the length of the school break and with District’s teachers on their position regarding the impact of a strike.
1 2 3 A CONTINUED ON 39
Stan Petersen
RE-ELECT
Cindy SCHAFER for
School Trustee • Experienced • Innovative • Hardworking • Common Sense Approach Authorized by C. Schafer Financial Agent
schafer4trustee@gmail.com
RE-ELECT
ing member of annual village reunion; Member of Punjabi Development; Sikh Heritage Museum committee Volunteer as a crossing guard; volunteered for the 2010 Olympics at the Richmond Oval; relay For Life Committee (Canadian Cancer Society); Abbotsford City Neighbourhood Committee; Member of Sister City Committee; Abbotsford Food Bank volunteer; Member of Abbotsford City Diversity Committee; Director of the Fraser Valley Indo-Canadian Business Association; Founding Member of Fraser Valley Cultural Diversity Committee; Abbotsford School District Punjabi language committee
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School Trustee Abbotsford Board of Education
Children are our future. Support public education.
C
/StanPetersenAbbotsford wwww.StanPetersen.ca Authorized by Stan Petersen, financial agent - StanForTrustee@gmail.com
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Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
Some Questions for Our
Current City Council AbbotsfordFIRST believes it is incredibly important that City Councillors understand Financial Statements. They must understand the reasons why they are making the decisions they are making. Deferring decision making to city staff can no longer be the norm. We have brought together a team to analyze the financial position of the city including Chartered Accountant, Eric Nyvall. Years ago, he articled at the very same firm that acts as the City’s auditor and ensures that the financial statements are presented according to Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP). We also have numerous business owners in our volunteer base and advisory board. 1. Housing starts before 2009 averaged 1100 per year. After that it has been abysmal... 2009 (365), 2010 (516), 2011 (537), 2012 (371), 2013 (749). Comparing 2013, our best year in the last 5 to 2008, we see a 40% decrease in housing starts. If you’ve managed our local economy so favourably, where has all the investment gone? Can you account for this decrease in performance? (Source: Canadian Mortgage and Housing Corp) 2. Total debt – AbbotsfordFIRST considers monies borrowed from DCCs a deficit. Our cities debt therefore, from our perspective is about $102 million dollars. This includes $78.4 million (capital projects) and $24 million (DCCs). Why do
current councillors not acknowledge the $24 million internally borrowed (DCCs) as part of our cities debt. This money was largely spent on the 2 overpasses on Hwy 1 and those overpasses were not in the city’s budget. This means we have taken money out of our DCC fund that should have been spent on other roads, infrastructure upgrades and expansions. That other work still needs to be done. This is called an infrastructure deficit. Every time you take future DCC money and use it to pay for this expenditure of the past, you are not paying off debt, you are simply paying off one credit card with another. At the end of the day, taxpayers will be burdened with this rolling liability. How will you deal with this infrastructure deficit of $24 million? 3. Additionally, the idea of paying off current DCC debt with future DCC revenue has led Council to raising DCC’s to the highest rate we can find in the Valley. Our DCC rate is approximately $29,000 per lot, whereas Langley is $21,000 and Burnaby is $7,000. The result has been a huge downturn in housing starts. In 2008, we had 1285 starts. In 2012, we had 371 and 2013 we had 749. In 2013, the City projected $18 million in DCC revenue and it only collected $3 million. How was that revenue made up? All departments set their budgets against expected revenue so when $15 million doesn’t come in, something must be cut. What was cut? 4. Many councillors mention a strong cash position. Any excess cash coming to the City of Abbotsford is due to “inflated” DCC’s, an 80% + increase in Water
Abbotsford Needs a Change + $102 MILLION 5.7 5.6 5.4 4.7 DEBT
Rates from 2010 to 2012, a 43% Property Tax increase since 2006. Taxing your citizens to pay for your mistakes is not strength. Can you clarify for the citizens of Abbotsford why these rate increases are so high if your stated surplus and financial position is so strong? 5. Last year when the City of Abbotsford was thinking about giving the YMCA $17.5 million, the Finance Department issued a report to Council stating clearly that they only had $14 million available, and then they offered alternatives on how to make up the difference. Why did so many of you support this irresponsible expenditure of tax payers hard earned monies? 6. With one of the highest Property Tax rates in the Province of BC, with the highest unemployment rate in Western Canada, with dwindling housing starts and many businesses closing, and a 9 year track record of nearly every major economic indicator resulting in a decline, what are you going to do to stimulate Abbotsford’s economy? Please post your plans for the economic development of Abbotsford. As sitting councillors, you have far more access to information and a comprehensive plan would be appreciated. 7. The City of Abbotsford committed to giving the Abbotsford Heat $5.5 million to leave our city. Where is that money coming from? What will be cut to provide that capital? It wasn’t in our budget so it is “new” money. Where will it come from? 8. If your answer is from the Surplus you are generating from “inflated” taxes and rates (language used by your own Finance Department in 2013), the result has been a city with one of the lowest growth rates in the Lower Mainland. How will you rectify this lack of performance and attract business, investors and jobs?
It’s about the economy
Join our team on Nov 15th FOR CITY COUNCIL
PROPERTY TAX RATE (per $1000 assessed value)
($78 MILLION Capital Projects $24 MILLION owed to DCC’s)
Source: 2013 City of Abbotsford Financial Statements
WATER RATE INCREASE
7.9
ABBOTSFORD LANGLEY
DELTA
COQUITLAM
Source: Govt of BC – http://www.cscd.gov.bc.ca/lgd/infra/statistics_index.htm
PROPERTY TAX INCREASE
(2010-2012)
(2006-2013)
Source: Department of Engineering City of Abbotsford
Source: www.abbotsford.ca
83% + 43% + UNEMPLOYMENT RATE
graphics by: aldogarza.com
Highest in Western Canada
7.4%
Source: Statistics Canada (Oct. 2014)
SURREY
Follow Us
• Treat your money as if it were our own. • Create a business friendly environment in our city. • Focus on debt reduction and fiscal prudence. • Minimize tax, water and other rate increases.
Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
SCHOOL TRUSTEE CANDIDATES first South-Asian Mentorship Program, called SOURCE, which was implemented in four elementary schools and four high schools in Surrey and Vancouver.
FROM 37
Kirpa Mann
dents and administration alike, we must begin to build a bridge for those relationships to heal and come together. This will only be possible if we begin to hear the needs of those on the frontline, take their concerns and experiences seriously, acknowledge them and work together moving forward. • Research based program implementation. We must include all partners in this process; thus, make sure that teachers, parents and administration are a part of the process. They should have a chance to learn about plans with transparency, voice concerns, suggest improvements- see suggestions and improvements through – and then be a part of the implementation, as a part of the team
KEY ISSUES:
EDUCATION:
BA in Psychology and Social Equity, Masters of Education, Curriculum Development (Candidate) OCCUPATION:
CEO of manufacturing business POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
Have engaged with civic, provincial and federal policies on education, immigration and community development. RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Co-founded co-created the
and very
• Bridging community partnership. We need to begin the healing process. In order for the school district to achieve success all partners must be working in collaboration towards the same goals. For this, strong communication, collaborative strategy planning and solution-oriented discussions must take place – where everyone is heard with the utmost integrity, respect and genuine positive regard. Knowing that the success of the city is reflected solely in the success of all participants: teachers, parents, stu-
Let your voice be heard!
On Nov. 15, VOTE
that is making new and better programming and systems possible. It is incumbent to utilize research and applied program implementation strategies for the strategic plan outlined for the next four years in order to use funds most effectively and to gain the outcomes initially intended to be achieved.
Linda Matties
librarian for 31 years. Worked at Trinity Western University as a faculty assistant for 3 years. POLITICAL EXPERIENCE:
None RESIDENCY:
Abbotsford COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT:
Volunteer at The Reach Member of Emmanuel Mennonite Church where I lead a Bible study group and prayer activities. I have served on the church council andam a board member for provincial and national level church activities. KEY ISSUES:
EDUCATION:
Master of Divinity from Mennonite Brethren Biblical Seminary in Fresno OCCUPATION:
Mostly retired. Worked for School District 34 primarily as a teacher
• To open the minds of our children and youth for the journey of life we need trustees who: understand the education system; care passionately about teaching and learning; are able to think creatively to make
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20 election! 14
the system work better; are willing to advocate for funds and other resources to enable teachers to teach and students to learn. • This plaque was given to me a number of years ago. It expresses what I feel education in our schools should be all about. I have spent enough years working in education to understand the system well. As someone who loves learning I want others to share that love. My experience in the education system is such that I have learned to discern between education policies that work well and those that don’t work well. Sometimes the less acceptable policies can be made to work with creative application. There have been complaints about lack of funding and other resources
for many decades now. It is unacceptable that teachers are spending large sums of personal money buying the resources they need for teaching. There needs to be some creative thinking around how existing funds are allocated as well as how new funds might be found.
School trustee candidates Harold Kokot and Kevin Pedersen did not submit responses.
VOTE NOV. 15
FOR MORE ELECTION COVERAGE VISIT
ABBYNEWS.COM
Building A Strong Community Together
SIDHU Daljit Singh for COUNCIL
MAIN OBJECTIVES Q Q Q Q Q Q Q
Crime Reduction - Youth at Risk New Business Development - Job Creation Reduce Homelessness - Affordable Housing Develop Recrational Facilities Public Transit Property Tax Sustainable Agriciulture
{
“The emphasis here is not the long litany of things to be done, rather how the money is spent doing them.”
Q Q Q Q Q
Vice-Chairperson for Credit Union Chairperson, Audit Committee, 2014 Chairperson, C.S.R. Committee Chairperson, Nomination Committee Water Watch Spokesperson - P3 Project Culture Association
“Dave Loewen and Bill MacGregor, both councillors with the City of Abbotsford, have helped take Cycling4Diversity to a new level with their participation. Dave Loewen is so passionate and community minded. Dave and Bill give us a stronger voice and added credibility.” ~ Ken Herar, Cycling4Diversity Founder
Re-elect
EXPERIENCE Q
VOTE
Languages Spoken: English Punjabi Hindi Cantonese
email: parmds@hotmail.com
778-552-7654
Authorized by Daljit Sidhu, Financial Agent - parmds@hotmail.com
DAVE LOEWEN For Council
Experience You Can Trust www.daveloewen.com Follow me on twitter @DaveFLoewen Facebook: DaveFLoewen Authorized by F.A. D. Loewen; loewen33@shaw.ca
TINA STEWART City Council
Together we can preserve what is great about Abbotsford and make it an even better place to live, work and raise a family in the future. @iamtinastewart iamtinastewart iamtinastewart@gmail.com Authorized by Tami Abra, Financial Agent, iamtinastewart@gmail.com
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Abbotsford News Friday, November 7, 2014
NOTICE OF ELECTION BY VOTING 2014 General Local Election City of Abbotsford and School District No. 34 Election by voting will be held on Saturday, November 15, 2014, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., to elect candidates for a four-year term, commencing December, 2014, for the offices of Mayor, Councillor, and School Trustee. The following are declared as candidates for:
MAYOR CITY OF ABBOTSFORD One (1) to be elected FIRST NAME ELECTOR ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS
BANMAN BRAUN
Bruce Henry
City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford COUNCILLOR CITY OF ABBOTSFORD Eight (8) to be elected
FIRST NAME ELECTOR ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS
BARKMAN BARKWELL BLUE BRECKENRIDGE BUE BUTTAR CALDWELL CHAHAL DIMANNO DRAPER FALK FELGER FLAVELLE GILL KOBES LOEWEN LOEWEN MACGREGOR PEACHEY POWER REDEKOPP REMPEL ROOS ROSS SAHLSTROM SIDHU SIEMENS STEWART WUSCHKE YOUNG
Les Rick Sandy James W. Dan Raji Lyle Kelly Vince Ward Brenda Tim Aird Moe Raymond Dave Nathan Bill Gerda Marlisa Paul Doug Hank Patricia David Daljit Singh Ross Tina Ken Karen
City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford
AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society Abbotsford Greens
Abbotsford Greens
Abbotsford Greens
AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society
Please bring two (2) pieces of identification (accepted identification listed below) with you. All voting places are wheelchair accessible. If you are unable to enter the voting place due to a physical disability or impaired mobility, you may contact the Presiding Election Official at the voting place on General Voting Day to make arrangements for you to vote at the curbside of the voting place.
Resident Electors If your name does not appear on the List of Registered Electors, you will be required to register on voting day, by completing the required application form available at your voting place. To register you must meet the following qualifications: x you are 18 years of age or more on general voting day; x you are a Canadian citizen; x you have lived in B.C. for at least six (6) months before you register; x you have lived in the City of Abbotsford for 30 days or more before you register to vote; and x you are not disqualified from voting by any statute or law. Types of Documents that will be accepted as identification You must produce at least two (2) documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence, at least one (1) of which must contain your signature. The types of documents that will be accepted as identification include: (a) a British Columbia Driver’s Licence; (b) a British Columbia Identification Card within the meaning of the Identification Card Regulation; (b.1) a photo BC services card within the meaning of the Identification Card Regulation; (b.2) a non-photo BC services card within the meaning of the Identification Card Regulation; (c) an Owner’s Certificate of Insurance and Vehicle Licence issued by the Insurance Corporation of British Columbia; (d) a British Columbia CareCard or British Columbia Gold CareCard; (e) a Ministry of Social Development and Economic Security Request for Continued Assistance Form SDES8; (f) a Social Insurance Number card or confirmation of Social Insurance Number letter issued by the government of Canada; (g) a Citizenship Card issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada; (h) a real property tax notice issued under section 369 of the Local Government Act or section 21 of the Taxation (Rural Area) Act; (i) a credit card or debit card issued by a savings institution as defined in section 29 of the Interpretation Act; or (j) a utility bill issued for the supply of electricity, natural gas, water, telephone services or coaxial cable services by
SCHOOL TRUSTEE ABBOTSFORD SCHOOL DISTRICT NO. 34 Seven (7) to be elected LAST NAME
FIRST NAME ELECTOR ORGANIZATION
ADDRESS
ANDERSON ARNEY GILL GILL KOKOT KUCZYNSKI LATHAM MACDONELL MANN MATTIES PAULS PEDERSEN PETERSEN RAI SCHAFER WILSON
Phil Noah Dwain Balbir S. Kamal Harold Tadeusz Freddy Graham Evan Kirpa Punam Kaur Linda Rhonda Kevin Stan Preet S. Cindy Shirley
City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford City of Abbotsford
(i) (ii) (iii) (iv) (v)
a public utility as defined in section 1 of the Utilities Commission Act; a gas utility as defined in section 1 of the Gas Utility Act; a water utility as defined in section 1 of the Water Act; the British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority; or a corporation licensed by the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission for the purposes of the supply.
Non-Resident Property Electors If you own property in the City of Abbotsford but reside outside the boundaries of the City, you may qualify to vote in the Abbotsford City 2014 General Local Election. Non-resident property electors must produce at least two (2) documents that provide evidence of your identity and place of residence, at least one (1) of which must contain your signature. The types of documents that will be accepted include those listed above for Resident Electors. In addition, proof that you are entitled to register in relation to the property in the City of Abbotsford; and, if applicable, written consent from a majority of the other registered owners of the property, will also be required. You may only register as a non-resident property elector in relation to one (1) parcel of real property in the City of Abbotsford. No corporation is entitled to be registered as an elector or have a representative registered as an elector and no corporation is entitled to vote. You may register in advance at Abbotsford City Hall, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC, during regular business hours 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday, excluding Statutory Holidays).
Voting Divisions Municipal Voting Divisions will be used in this election and an elector can only vote within the division in which they are a resident. During the week of October 24, 2014, a Voter Notification Card will be mailed, to each elector household advising of their voting location. A map showing the Voting Division boundaries and the specific voting location within that division is available on the City’s website at www.abbotsford.ca/election. The following is a list of all the Voting Places: 1. Abbotsford Christian Middle School 35011 Old Clayburn Road 2 Abbotsford Middle School 33231 Bevan Avenue 3. Aberdeen Elementary School 2975 Bradner Road 4. Bakerview Centre for Learning 32622 Marshall Road 5. Blue Jay Elementary School 30995 Southern Drive 6. Bradner Community Hall 5305 Bradner Road 7. Chief Dan George Middle School 32877 Riverside Road 8. Clearbrook Elementary School 3614 Clearbrook Road 9. Garden Park Tower 2825 Clearbrook Road
Ag-Rec Building, Main Floor 32470 Haida Drive Ag-Rec Building, Main Floor 32470 Haida Drive Chief Dan George Middle 32877 Old Riverside Road School
ELECTOR REGISTRATION
LAST NAME
AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society
There will be three Advance Voting opportunities, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., on the following dates: Wednesday, November 5, 2014 Thursday, November 6, 2014 Saturday, November 8, 2014
LAST NAME
AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society
ADVANCE VOTING OPPORTUNITIES
You may also register up to the end of voting on General Voting Day, Saturday, November 15, 2014, at any of the Voting Places (listed on the City’s website) or at Abbotsford City Hall, 32315 South Fraser Way, Abbotsford, BC, from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Additional information on elections can be obtained from the City of Abbotsford website at www.abbotsford.ca/election. You may also contact the Election Office.
10. Matsqui Elementary School 33661 Elizabeth Avenue 11. Mountain Elementary School 2299 Mountain Drive 12. Rick Hansen Secondary School 31150 Blueridge Drive 13. Sandy Hill Elementary School 3836 Sandy Hill Road 14. South Poplar Traditional Elementary Scho 32746 Huntingdon Road 15 Terry Fox Elementary School 3071 Babich Street 16. Upper Sumas Elementary School 36321 Vye Road 17. Yale Secondary School 34620 Old Yale Road 18. WJ Mouat Secondary School 32355 Mouat Drive
Election Office Phone: 604-851-VOTE (8683) Fax: 604-853-1934 Email: ElectionOffice@abbotsford.ca Bill Flitton Chief Election Officer
Sherry Davis and Katie Karn Deputy Chief Election Officers