A newcomer to the political scene is running for Williams Lake city council.
Natasha Wiebe, a supported living worker, said she is throwing her hat in the ring because Williams Lake is “awesome.”
“Two years ago I started thinking I’d like to run,” Wiebe told the Tribune. “I think community healing and togetherness are important. We should be supporting each other as neighbours and friends.”
The answer, she added, is for people to focus on similarities versus the differences.
When asked about her strengths she would bring to city council, Wiebe replied her commitment, her love of the city and love for the people in Williams Lake.
Williams Lake is already a close-knit community, with people willing to step up and help each other, and Wiebe said she would like to help expand on that.
She has lived in Williams Lake for several years and said it was her heart that led her here.
“I stood by the big Canadian flag at the Husky station and just knew it was home.”
Read more: New Canada flag raised at Husky station on Highway 97 South in Williams Lake
She was raised in the Cariboo for most of her teen years, she added.
When she’s not working she loves to work on her 1996 Chevy 1500, Mathilda.
“A lot of people probably know my truck if they don’t know me,” she said, smiling.
She does her own mechanical work and also enjoys walking with her two dogs — a seven month-old puppy and a nine-year-old.
Wiebe attended the most recent city council meeting where former fire chief Randy Isfeld passed the helmet to new fire chief Erick Peterson and said it made her feel very proud.
“My heart goes out to a lot of different things and definitely, to the people who serve our country,” she said.
As first-time candidate, Wiebe said there will be lots to learn if she is elected.
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