The Tribune asked candidates running in the municipal, regional, and School District 27 election a few questions about themselves and their platforms.
We asked the following:
• What position are you running for?
• Why are you running for it?
• What do you see as the top three issues to address in your community?
• How do you propose to tackle them?
Candidates in the area, including those who have been acclaimed, were invited to participate for free
and were given a maximum word limit of 275 words to answer the questions above.
The following are the answers we received from participating candidates:
Mike Bouchard
My name is Mike Bouchard and I am running for city council in Williams Lake. I grew up in the Cariboo my whole life. First in Alexis Creek, and then Williams lake, for the past 40 years. My entire family still calls Williams Lake home today.
I am a high school teacher at WLSS where I teach social studies. I am also pursuing a life-long interest in cattle ranching with my family at 150 Mile House, and a small business owner in Williams Lake, as well.
As a result of these diversified fields of interest, I feel I bring a unique range of views and strengths to the position of city council.
One of the most important issues facing Williams Lake is the necessity of creating opportunities for young families to come to, and to remain in, Williams Lake. We need to work proactively with business and our university to take advantage of the growing trade industry jobs unique to the Cariboo in mining and forestry.
These jobs pay well, and provide great long-term benefits to our community. These families in turn will support businesses, our tax base, and our education system. Our seniors are a vital part of the family unit and they need to be supported by council to have safe affordable facilities, and more control over their futures. We need to be able to deliver services better, with wiser use of our tax dollars and eliminating red tape where possible to hold the line on taxes.
By taking a proactive approach to encourage growth and development we all win. Whether your concerns are taxes, education, the arts, environment, jobs, or infrastructure.