1. Why are you running for council?
I made the decision to run for council because of my love for this amazing place and to provide more opportunities for the residents and of course, for my family. Retreating from the hectic lifestyle of the big cities, we bought our home here 7 years ago because we saw Tahsis as a safe and healthy place to raise our children.
Like many older houses, ours was in severe disrepair. But we could see beyond the leaky windows, stained carpets, mould, outdated fixtures and popcorn ceilings. We were happy to put our passion and efforts into transforming this into a beautiful family home.
Our concerns grew over the last few years, seeing the decline of services, events and community spirit. I have seen the lack of care reflected in the maintenance of houses and upkeep of the town. Seeing newcomers investing time and work into their home is inspiring but many times this excitement turns to disappointment when they leave due to lack of prospects and opportunities.
Our population has grown from 300 to 400 over the last few years. This does not mean we have 100 new residents. In reality, that number would be much higher if we could have retained every new person that moved here.
The sense of community and relationships with neighbors have been overshadowed by defamatory rumours and gossip. Our leaders forgot to follow their code of conduct and have put us on a shady path with their acts of censorship and exclusion.
You cannot blame Covid for everything. What happened to healthy debates, constructive conversations and eagerness to improve the place we live? We do not all have to be friends, but respect should be common sense. Even with all our differences, we have common needs and goals, we just need to be re-connected. We need opportunities to get to know one another, to build friendships and work together.
I still see the enormous potential of this little town at the end of the road. I still boast about this place everyday. Tahsis has a rich history and unique remote geography. Like an island on and island. Before I moved here, I read everything about Tahsis. I was amazed at how many talented people live here and I still dream of collaborative projects. I never tire of hearing stories form older residents about the days of the mill, where their families came from, and of course everyone has a story about a big fish that got away.
I could not bear to see the next 4 years resemble the last 4. Deciding to run for council is a huge commitment and comes with great responsibility. I have always been engaged in my community no matter where I lived. At this point in my life, I am fortunate to have time to volunteer. Family has always been my priority, I want to set the example for my children that sometimes you need to step up, get involved and hope to make a difference.
I am running with the future in mind. Sometimes you need to plant the seed, nurture and be patient for change to happen.
2. What part of your background prepares you to serve on council?
Working with boards, councils, and many organisations has prepared me to serve on council. I still work with schools, school districts, art councils, and various levels of government. I am familiar with grants, budgets and stretching that dollar.
After high school I was small projects manager with my father’s contracting company specialising in restoring historical buildings. I have experience in business with the pressure washing company I started, then later sold and I worked in food production after completing my degree in horticulture.
When I first moved to BC in the late 90’s, I attended UBC and SFU to study First Nations history & anthropology. I love to learn; I am in constant pursuit of knowledge.
As an artist, I have a passion for creating something out of nothing. In NB, I fully renovated an old building transforming it into an art gallery. It was all about giving back, shinning the light on others, and promoting art.
This is when Shawna came into my life. Together we created a space and opportunities for local Indigenous artists, hosted over a dozen artist openings, collaborated with the Assembly First Nations, and organized the 1st National Indigenous Day in Moncton. Successfully, the event brought politicians, residents, local indigenous, and thousands together for a flag raising, march, and festivities all day long.
I am very proud of having been involved, at the beginning of the restorative justice program, using art, that is now implemented in correctional facilities in BC. I facilitated carving and painting instruction to a spectrum of inmates offering them a new outlet and lease on life.
I am well aware of municipal processes and have read not only our council meeting minutes but those of neighboring communities. Plus the Official Community Plans and any other reports I could find.
Our dedicated team has decades of experience in business, the arts and rights advocacy. Producing documentaries, organising events, working with grants and budgets - we bring a variety of knowledge to the table. We have the experience, skills and passion to bring positive change to Tahsis. We have researched other mill towns and can learn from their success; we have plenty of ideas and solutions that could easily be duplicated and implemented here.
For more details on our ideas, please read our “Plan”. You can find it on Facebook at: All for Tahsis or in your mailbox at the post office.
3. What is the one thing council could do to improve Tahsis the most? (As in what is your priority)
To improve Tahsis, council must first consult the people. Public involvement is essential for the success of a small community. Ideas and projects must align with the will of the residents and consultation happens before decisions are made or priorities are set.
The last 4 years have left the residents at the bottom of the organisational structure. This pyramid is currently operating in the wrong order. It should be Residents, Council, CAO, Staff. Not CAO, Council, Staff, Residents.
When community members can easily find, access, and comment on information that affects them it instills confidence in the government. It shows you are listening, and you are responsive to their needs. It is the responsibility of council to create a better public engagement, not to blame residents when they ask clarifications or raise concerns. Asking questions is automatically seen as negative. When someone come to the office with an idea, we should always take the approach of “how are we going to make this happen” instead of trying to find ways and excuses to deter any initiatives.
Our pledge and commitment:
We will focus our energy here, balance the budget, increase revenues, keep more money here, and we will not raise taxes. We will create initiatives, attract new businesses and jobs with incentives, create a “local first” policy, manage our own resources such as logging, and re-establish the Chamber of Commerce. Council needs to listen to the people - bring the residents back into the decision-making process plus give recognition and support to our vital local organisations such as the Hatchery, Literacy Society, Seniors Society, the Women’s Hospital Auxiliary and others.
4. Any additional comments:
I am working with a great team: Shawna Gagn̩, Mervyn Brown and Elena (Helene) Puente. To show our commitment we vow to volunteer our time as mayor and councillors Рwithout salary or payment. Instead, we plan to place these funds in a charitable trust to finance community projects that are much needed in Tahsis, benefiting all who live and visit here. This amount would be in excess of $100,000 over our four-year term. By putting this money back into our community, we show how much we believe in and are serious about improving our town.
Our team of 4 joined together because our ideas and values aligned with the positive change and potential we see for Tahsis. We support each others’ vision and goals and believe we have the combined skills to bring significant improvements to the community. We are prepared to work with new candidates, but the incumbents have made it clear they plan to proceed the same and continue to not consult. To make any difference on council you need 3 out of 5 votes to pass a motion. We hope you consider this when selecting who you want to work together on this next council.
It’s time for change! Together we can!
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