1. What made you decide to run in this election?
Why I am running for council is simple. To serve the needs of the members in this community. Humblest offerings of my compassion and fellowship here in Tahsis. With respect and integrity in pursuit and practice of our objective, participatory local democracy. Residents, citizens and neighbours share public spaces and values of accountability. I engage in public debate as needed but I live to serve. My pledge is to ask for help, because it takes strength to do so and we are stronger when we pull together. I need you to tell me where you are at with respect to perspective. As I understand it people have changing needs. But what are the needs versus the wants. They change everyday but also maintain a constant hum like a waterfall. We all have a unique understanding. Unity is a collection. A diverse spectrum of views, each sharing the knowledge and experiences we have to contribute. It is in the spirit of collaboration and leadership that I seek office, to strive for strong ethics built on first principles. When I first came to the village seven years ago, like many before me, I was inspired by the potential. The magic of the first white Christmas, where the fire department drove the old pumper and the lions club gave out mandarin oranges and candy. Since then I have developed a deeper sense of the work, burden and sacrifice involved in the day to day operations in a pioneer outpost village. This summer I hosted my own visitors and made social efforts in volunteerism. Win, lose or draw I make my personal investments and continue to support those who ask me to do so; to the best of my ability.
2. What part of your background (experience, education, skills etc.) would make you a good person in this office?
What I have to offer? I started my political career on the phones, volunteering at sixteen years old to do polling in my home riding in London Ontario. Later I studied Canadian politics at Carleton University in Ottawa. At twenty years old, I got a job as an administrative assistant working at the west block of the House of Commons. While working for the minister of immigration I sent congratulatory letters to new Canadians who lived in the member of Parliaments constituency. During this time I managed correspondence of the office and was invited to the prime minister's garden party. The liberal I worked for was in the true grit band with Jean Chrétien. After my time on Parliament Hill I came to a more practical, less bureaucratic democracy. Fundraising for charities and non-governmental advocacy groups, I travelled to Africa in 2006 to make a film. This experience is one that helped me to understand that the appetite for exploitation will never rest. Developing long term vision is a way I learn to avoid conflict. Diverse interest from business to stewardship. From there I found the forestry people who replant trees for the timber companies which led me to where I am now. Promoting our rainforest community to others, advocating for social programs in the hinterland. Strategic planning and leading deliberations. My twenty ninth birthday here in Tahsis opened a chapter where I embark on nurturing and parenting. Adopt financial plan and broadly allocate resources. Blunt decision making, simple calm and effective listening are important to me. I have been involved in the salmon enhancement, community garden and literacy society meetings. My resolve to work through conflict with appropriate disagreement tactics and have humble and open discourse. Hopeful but realistically looking forward to bring my skills as a communicator to rally for ecological conservation and sustainable future.
3.What is the most important issue facing Tahsis and what will you do to address it?
This is a matter of perspective. I care about people and specializing the social services to best fit needs that arise. Make policy for the Universal improvement of humans. Maintaining the community resources. Keeping places like the school, clinic and recreation centre from being closed and making sure they are being used to their fullest potential. Tahsis has a lot to offer for such a small town and I would like to explore ways we can encourage more people to live here. Building on what we have, keeping this town alive and active. We need to bring more people to Tahsis in order to keep our facilities open. To keep our Schools open we need more families and less empty houses. To keep our clinic open we need to be considering having old age care homes for the aging baby boom generation. To keep the recreation centre open we need more people living in Tahsis who will use these facilities. Maintaining this communities infrastructure is the most important issue facing Tahsis and people gathering together is the way to address this.
Be the change, in Tahsis.
In solidarity,
Sarah
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