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Sue Zacharias

The Tribune asked candidates running in the election a few questions about themselves and their platforms.
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Sue Zacharias

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:

Sue Zacharias

 

I am seeking re-election for city councillor. An experienced, balanced approach over the next three years will help lead the community. Over the last three years, crime/violence dropped dramatically; local mines are expanding; our unemployment rate dropped locally; and our forest industry is growing and diversifying as a result of the intensity of Chinese markets. Building permits are on the rise!

Three key issues will be: 1. Implement a multi-pronged approach to economic growth and diversification. The work has already begun — now we need to set a plan for shifting of the tax burden away from the industrial tax base, over time, and promote Williams Lake as the “place to do business or grow a business.” 2. Begin a dialogue in the community, including our First Nations partners and Central CRD residents, for a vision of a new and/or renovated recreation complex. Infrastructure attracts people to communities, but it has to be reinvented and reinvested in, all the time. Healthy communities attract businesses. Infrastructure promotes growth. Develop a long-term, multi-asset investment plan and look ahead 20-30 years. A vibrant downtown core will enhance our community for seniors, families and tourists. Tourism is a huge economic engine for our community — let’s expand on it.

3. Complex social issues in our community, such as drug/alcohol addiction, require lobbying to provide a quality detox/treatment facility for sufferers in our region. I will push for balancing long-term costs against revenues, while still looking to live within our means. As a business leader, I have a proven track record as someone who can make decisions, think strategically and act fairly.