Statement by council candidate James Brown

During this municipal election, each candidate has been asked to answer three questions in order to better inform voters of where they stand. This is the first post and others will follow every couple of days. According to Elections BC, these do not qualify as campaigning because they endorse no one candidate.

1. What made you decide to run in this election?

Wasn't the plan... though over the years and just recently many citizens here asked me to. With consideration, I've applied with confidence, knowing I'd serve well because of my keen research skills. I'm looking forward to reading thru thick government papers to trace out the facts that matter most to citizens here. Fact-finding, fact-checking missions are something I enjoy. I have no particular platform, though instead am interested in learning what matters most the citizens in town here and working to addressing those issues. Through this, I'm hoping to help forge a stronger dialogue between this community, our neighbours, local Nations, and government bodies.

2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?

I'm headed into my 8th year in Tahsis. This has become my home. My post-secondary background, 7 years in two Liberal Arts colleges, served as a guide to help me find great insights into the fields of history, law, as well as applying pure math & logic to political discourses. The laws of nature and societies are closely connected, and tracing these connections was once my main point of study, and still one of my past-times. My background in music, as represented through the local music organization that I run -- Nootka Sounds -- is the artistic application of these skills. Such projects help keep my body & mind in shape. I read The Guardian, CBC, Al Jazeera, The Tyee, and other news sites and message boards on a daily basis, while not forgetting to keep up with everything local that I can learn about through our variety of resources we have. I understand how social media alone serves more as an echochamber of ideas, while at the same time my understanding of how to use such tools & outlets on an in-depth basis will be an asset in helping the public communicate with the office. There's a huge talent pool in Tahsis! My impression is that we needn't so much go calling for the opinions and employment of outside experts as much as we have -- we have all the resources we need right in town here! The strength of the people in this community is tremendous -- this is a hard-working town with a real unique, compelling energy. I'd like to see this energy applied in sensible, agreeable ways that give considerations not only to the moment, but also to all our futures.

3. What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?

Environmental considerations as well as the subject of growth. Running in-depth investigations and very careful considerations on how to best proceed in addressing these issues in harmonious, sustainable ways is certainly the biggest challenge we face not only locally, but as a whole civilization. I recognize that Tahsis holds a very special potential on this earth, what with the futures we face. It's important to trace what has happened throughout time by examining historical and ongoing case-studies to trace patterns. The future is very hard to predict, though history provides us with many clues we can use to help guide us. Before addressing anything directly, it's important to build models based on real-world case studies. Studying facts on issues and presenting these to the public for consideration is my ideal approach.

4. Any additional comments you would like to make?

It is with my great hope that this next election will present us with an opportunity to develop this community in ways that will help us find peace and happiness with ourselves, our neighbours, and our surroundings. This may sound like a lot of hippy nonsense, which is why I work so hard at researching scientific foundations and matters of law in order and apply reason as a basis for feelings. I've been wondering that maybe music and politics really aren't so different. Strong connections between logic, the natural world, and feelings creates some of the most compelling music -- surely considerations for reaching such balances in society help make for the strongest communities as well.