Bouchie Lake resident Elizebeth Montgomery has submitted her papers and added her name to the list of candidates vying for director of the Cariboo Regional District’s Area B (Quesnel West – Bouchie Lake).
Montgomery is well versed in the ways of the Cariboo Regional District, having served on Bouchie Lake’s Advisory Planning Commission (APC) since 2008. The commission works closely with the CRD on a variety of local issues.
“We get case by case from the CRD and they ask our advice on what we think about this zoning, or this application … they ask us advice as a group, there’s about five of us,” says Montgomery. “[The CRD] uses it as part of their decision making.”
Montgomery has served on the APC under three previous Area B directors, including Roberta Faust, Heloise Dixon-Warren and the current director, Jerry Bruce. She was also part of the Official Community Planning (OCP) committee for the area in 2008. Both the ACP and OCP are volunteer positions.
“I’ve been doing this for about 10 years,” she says.
“Being on the OCP, back in 2008, I was part of the committee that spearheaded that and it was an eye opener as to what the community wishes to see. It was very interesting.”
Montgomery moved to Bouchie Lake in 2007, relocating from Vancouver Island. She has done some seasonal work as a bookkeeper for local businesses, and home-schooled her daughter. She says she enjoys living near the lake, and being part of the Bouchie Lake neighbourhood.
She says one of the big issues she sees for Area B is the lack of wireless technology.
“That is such a fundamental need. … We have dead zones here. That infrastructure needs to be improved on,” she comments, adding that better connectivity could entice more people to move to the area.
“It will open up economic development for people who have cottage industry, and people might want to settle out there because housing is really affordable. … People will want to be out here, because the solitude is just beautiful,” she says.
If elected as CRD director, Montgomery would have to move on from the ACP, for which she is currently secretary, after serving as treasurer for a number of years. She says the decision to run for director was a big moment.
“I appreciate what [current director Jerry] has done; I think he’s done a wonderful job and I’d like to continue in his footsteps.
“I’ve worked with a lot of groups and I plan to keep supporting them in our community. I think they are a strong community voice.”
READ MORE: Seven candidates vie for CRD directorships near Quesnel