Debra McKelvie is proud to be running for a seat on Quesnel City Council.
“When one is opposed as strongly as I have been to the way local government is operating, then there is a moral obligation to do something about it,” she said.
McKelvie describes herself as a relative newcomer to Quesnel of 47 years, where she has raised her family and volunteered in various capacities, along with being provided many opportunities to earn a living.
While she says she loves this beautiful community, the city has changed drastically over the last few years, and not for the better in many ways.
In August 2019, McKelvie organized a rally as part of a movement called Quesnel in Action to express concerns about crime in the community.
McKelvie says she would like to see Quesnel City Council collaborating effectively with the Cariboo Regional District and local MLA and MP for the best possible success for everyone in the city and region.
“I want to be included in creating a safer community,” she added. “I believe in Community Policing and Citizens on Patrol. As a community, we need to be working together to find viable solutions to the problems that have grown in our city.”
McKelvie believes communication, transparency and financial accountability need to be restored in local government.
She calls this year’s election the most important election in Quesnel’s history.
“We have been through the toughest of times together over the past few years, what with fires and Covid-19 that brought difficult mandates,” she said. “We have seen our residential and commercial taxes go through the roof and our services cut.”
General voting day is slated for Saturday, Oct. 15.
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