Originally from Niagara Falls, Ontario, I am a 32 year old engaged mother of 4 who has lived in the Abbotsford area since 1992. I've been watching things from the sidelines for far too long and felt compelled to get out and do something. I'm one of you - I don't own a fancy house, an expensive car, or any shares in corporations. I find myself wondering how I would ever afford to own a home in Abbotsford. The cost of housing alone is frightening - but what about the taxes? And at the rate they are increasing how will you, I or our children be able to afford to pay them?
I love Abbotsford and want to be proud of the way our city handles important issues. Not just P3 - I'm talking about affordable housing for seniors, the underemployed, single mothers, people in recovery, the working poor, the self employed... everybody, really. I don't believe that increasing council salaries encourages only the cream of the crop to run and I flat out feel that it is ridiculous that they thought it was ok to give themselves a raise.. Especially since most of the council members don't have to worry about how much gas they are spending to get around and if that will equate to going without in another area. And yes, I think that sometimes people who have a lot of money can be completely out of touch with the difference a few bucks can make in the average person's budget. They really need to stop telling us what we can afford, especially since most of them live in a completely different reality.
Most of the people running for council have money & experience in business. I have time, heart and passion. If I haven't addressed something that you feel is a concern, use the contact page and let me know. The spotlight is on us candidates right now, so let's use that to get as many issues out into the public as possible. That is what this is all about, isn't it?
You are all voting for a council to work for you - use your voices and votes and make them do just that.
I've held a variety of positions in a number of working environments - my favourite being an internship with Aboriginal Initiatives - Correctional Service of Canada. If I am not elected mayor, I will return to university to begin working towards my long term goal of attaining my Doctorate.
I've been reading the comments some of you have been posting online and would love to answer the questions a few readers had asked.
- My income, for each year, over the last 7 years has been less than $40,000
- I do not currently own property
- I have absolutely no affiliations with any businesses
- I have no relatives or friends who occupy positions with the Council, Chamber of Commerce, etc.
I am also a member of Amnesty International's Urgent Action Network.
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