Running for council in Winfield.

I retired in 2024, after a combined 37-year Nursing career with Interior Health and Alberta Health Services delivering direct patient care, transitioning to specialize in Quality and Patient Safety, Strategic Planning and Project Management for my last ten years.

I am a current Lake Country Councillor representing Winfield, the largest Ward in the Community.

After nearly a decade of living in Lake Country, I’ve spent a great deal of time listening to residents’ concerns, examining how our municipality currently operates, and developing creative, out-of-the-box solutions for some of the challenges we face.

Asked Lake Country businesses often struggle to recruit and retain employees because of housing costs and availability. What actions would you support to increase attainable workforce housing?

Continue to provincial and federal governments to increase grants for attainable housing in areas of Lake Country that support that specific growth.

Asked Lake Country businesses often struggle to recruit and retain employees because of housing costs and availability. What actions would you support to increase attainable workforce housing?

Some businesses have been building residential units for their staffing issues, and some offer their own monetary incentives to find housing. If housing is supplied, retention rates are higher due to the stability of housing, as your boss is also your landlord

I will speak out against one-size-fits-all housing mandates at the UBCM convention. It is time for municipalities to reclaim their voices and advocate for solutions that reflect local realities.

Using my healthcare and management experience I believe that with the Official Community Plan in place along with community input and support we can achieve a sustainable infrastructure for future growth in the District of Lake Country for businesses and families to thrive.

Asked What is the most important topic that needs to be dealt with in Lake Country and how would you go about dealing with it?

Reallocation of spending and creative accounting could uncover the funds we need for our much needed water treatment plant. With our current water situation, we should be prioritizing this at the top of the list.

Asked How would you control municipal spending and keep commercial property taxes, business-licensing costs and other municipal fees affordable?

Review the spending and treat our money like you would in a family. There are the must haves, things that we would like and can make happen & the it would be great to have but we just can’t afford it right now.

Asked How would you control municipal spending and keep commercial property taxes, business-licensing costs and other municipal fees affordable?

This is a fine balancing act no question but working WITH the commerce along with the local businesses, actively, with regular strategy meetings, we can determine what area holds the most value to our local shops.

Asked What is the most important topic that needs to be dealt with in Lake Country and how would you go about dealing with it?

The biggest problem we are facing is property taxes. Since homeowners here, carry the lions share of our tax base, we need to go through our budget with a fine tooth comb; eliminating expenses that do not serve our community.

Asked How would you address traffic congestion, parking limitations and transportation challenges affecting employees, customers and commercial deliveries?

Work with DLC planning and roads, reach out to Bylaw and enforcement for suggestions on planning when considering traffic and movement strategies.

Asked How would you address traffic congestion, parking limitations and transportation challenges affecting employees, customers and commercial deliveries?

I don’t like the current parking bylaw that’s in place, for me it needs to be increased.

Asked How would you address traffic congestion, parking limitations and transportation challenges affecting employees, customers and commercial deliveries?

Stop approving development in spaces where it doesn't make sense such as Bond/Davidson townhomes, Berry/Newene Rd mini-mall, new industrial area etc. We cannot current;y support that kind of traffic growth in those areas.

Asked What are the three most important actions the District should take to support the growth and success of local businesses?

Look for options to attract new businesses…reduced fees, expedited permitting, assigned DLC and Chamber of Commerce direct liaisons.

Asked What are the three most important actions the District should take to support the growth and success of local businesses?

Build a strong independent tourism and economic strategy so we become a 4 season destination, not just a summer spot. Look at tax incentives that offer relief to small businesses and advocate at the provincial level so mom and pop stores stay open in a world of multinational big box retailers

Asked What are the three most important actions the District should take to support the growth and success of local businesses?

Improve our reputation so developers and business owners want to work with us; analyze and improve our in house processes, remove red tape and provide support and mentorship to businesses that assists them in succeeding quickly.

Asked What steps would you support to improve public safety, cleanliness and security in Lake Country’s commercial areas?

Ensure regular Bylaw enforcement and presence and schedule regular area inspection and clean up.

Asked What steps would you support to improve public safety, cleanliness and security in Lake Country’s commercial areas?

We are looking to go to 24 hour policing however the enrollment for RCMP is done, by I’m told, half as well as cadets / veteran police officers aren’t moving to the Okanagan as it is an expensive place to live, compared to the prairies or East Coast of Canada.

Asked What steps would you support to improve public safety, cleanliness and security in Lake Country’s commercial areas?

Hire more police potentially. We only have 2-3 and when there's an emergency, they do not know how long it will take to get there and often we don't have 24/7 access in overnight emergencies.

Asked What specific changes would you support to make building permits, development applications, inspections and business approvals faster and more predictable?

Hold ourselves more accountable to things we said that we would do to attract new businesses.

I am here to represent every member of our community - young and old, long-time residents and newcomers alike. Your voice matters and deserves to be heard, and together we can all have a part in shaping this place we call home.

Residents do not want councillors who simply follow the direction of others. They want representatives who listen, lead, and stand firmly behind the needs of Lake Country.