Al Richmond is uncontested in Area G in the municipal election for Cariboo Regional District directors but that doesn’t mean he’s complacent.
Richmond says he decided to run again because he believes the next three years are going to be economically “difficult” times and he wanted to be present to work through some of that.
“Some of the economic downturn is beyond our control but some with regards to trying to deliver some of the services we have to provide to people more affordably and more effectively. Those are things that we may be able to control and reduce some of our costs.”
Richmond cites the lag effect of the mountain pine beetle and the predicted decline in the annual allowable cut for the lumber industry in 2012 and believes those will place additional strain on the local economy.
He adds water shortages due to drought that have resulted in the lowering water levels in surface and aquifer water sources is causing a “tremendous concern” for availability of potable water and water for uses in agriculture and recreation.
“We need to put some watershed plans in place to protect that and work with all the water users to see if we can find more efficient ways to utilize water,” he says.
Delivery of services is another issue Richmond thinks should be addressed.
“Perhaps reducing duplication in some of the services we do provide and pass those cost savings on to the taxpayer.”
Richmond adds the continued lobby for healthcare in the region as well as the further development of the solid waste management plan and services like improved recycling are also important to the region.