1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself?
2. What part of Quesnel’s Official Community Plan do you care about most and want to see action on?
3. What solutions or ways forward do you see to address concerns around crime, affordable housing, transportation infrastructure and homelessness in our community?
4. What do you think needs to be done to attract and retain professionals such as health care providers in our community?
5. What are a few fun facts about yourself?
1. I’ve been a resident for 15 years and a local business owner (K-max) for 12. My wife Tammi and I have raised our children here and call Quesnel the best place we’ve ever lived. I give back in the community by volunteering with the Quesnel Lions and Lions Housing, the Quesnel Downtown Association and Community Futures.
2. Section 3.3 Economic Development. Our way forward requires that we work with our traditional forestry-based industries to innovate and that work accelerated with the opening of the City’s Forestry Innovation Centre in 2019. Offsetting contractions in forestry require that we foster a positive business climate. We must re-double our efforts to realize competitive taxation rates for commercial and industrial ratepayers.
3. To make meaningful progress on both these issues we must insist on ministerial cooperation between housing, health, and social development/poverty reduction; at the local level. Specifically, community projects must have all three at the table, (along with local government) all prepared to jointly advance and resource projects. Specific to crime, the Ministry of Public Safety must accept recommendations from B.C. communities to address repeat offenders. Resources have been brought to bear locally, now, the courts must support our efforts.
4. Leveraging our quality-of-life advantages (short commutes, proximity to outdoor recreation, affordable real estate) must remain in our toolbox. Bringing it to the next level requires incentivizing and educating developers about investing in our community with new market housing. We are a good investment, we do have the demand. In tandem, City Council must continue to lead by advancing innovative projects that improve amenities and introduce new ones. Challenging for certain, as we must do so in a financially disciplined manner.
5. I’m a prolific board game player, enjoy somewhat risky mountain bike adventures, and I love getting outdoors (off the beaten path) with my family on new camping adventures.
Do you have something to add to this story, or something else we should report on? Email: rebecca.dyok@quesnelobserver.com
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