Mary Sjostrom has announced her intention to run for the position of Director of Cariboo Regional District Area A in the 2018 local government election.
She has 15 years of local political experience including six years as Mayor of Quesnel (2008-2014) and has been the Alternate Director for Area A for four years.
She is currently the Vice Chair of Regions for the College of New Caledonia on the board of governors and serves as President of the Quesnel Community Foundation.
Sjostrom used to live in Area A. She ran Mary’s Gifts there for 18 years and her three children also attended Kersley Elementary School.
When former director Ted Armstrong announced his plans to retire, Mary says she thought long and hard and spoke with many people in order to come to a decision.
“I know the people, I know the area and I think I can be of service,” she says.
“Our community, in my opinion, is not just about the City of Quesnel, it’s about the feeder areas that come into the city.”
Sjostrom believes strengthening those feeder areas will result in a stronger overall community.
Her goals, if elected, include improving the office’s communication.
“While the regional district has a great communications system, I think people are expecting a little bit more from directors now,” she says, referencing the important role communication played during the wildfires last year.
“I would like to have a blog or newsletter that I send out to update the area as to what we’re doing.”
She says she would also like to make sure Area A has a strong voice in the various projects involving the city and First Nations communities.
The campaign period for the 2018 elections will begin on September 22 and general voting day will take place on October 20.