Preparing for the 2012 Annual General Meeting of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities? You are not alone. You are about to join 2000 municipal leaders from all over Canada.

In your provincial or territorial region, you will soon be electing your region’s board members. As a group, all of us will elect the third Vice-President. I am asking for your vote to help elect me the third vice-president of the FCM at this AGM.

I live in a small city in the North

I am a Councillor with the City of Prince George, in the center of British Columbia. We are not totally rural and not totally metropolitan. Our city is a safe, healthy place to raise a family, to work and to live. We have strong incomes, low housing costs, and work hard to make sure that our citizens can pursue lives that are the equal of anywhere in Canada. We are proud of a city that is turning 100 in 2015.

I am like the people around me. I want my municipality to be a place my kids can call home when they grow up. My wife and I will see our boys travel the entire country, learn from the best, but we want them to have the opportunity to pursue their future anywhere, even back home.

I speak with the rest of Canada and the world every day

I lived, worked and studied in Vancouver, Victoria and Ottawa, but when I chose to start my technology company, I started it in Prince George. I chose a lifestyle and a place that I loved, in the North. I knew we could locate almost anywhere, because technology now allows my work to be done almost anywhere.

That was an important lesson I took to heart, and one I live every day as a city councillor. We are not alone.

CBC radio did a show about potholes in early April, and asked me to speak. I chatted about the interview in advance with the Mayor, and exchanged many emails with friends and neighbours. I also videoconferenced with two old friends from the small business community of BC, who at the time were in Victoria and San Diego. We happened to see each other online, and had a chat like we do from time to time.

That connectedness is a great tool for solving problems. And as elected officials, we always have challenges. Those challenges may get solved alone, but when you need more support, when you want to hear how others have solved similar problems, when you need the strength of numbers to convince Ottawa… that is when it is most important to know that you are not alone.

One of the big points of FCM is that we have a lot of common problems that we can solve easier together.

Clear vision for the future, and earned trust

I build bridges and connect with people wherever I go, and I work hard. I consistently earn trust and greater responsibility in business, volunteering and in my Council work.

At FCM, I have consistently worked hard and been given increasing responsibility.

2009:

• Elected Vice-Chair of BC Caucus
• Appointed to Standing Committee on Social Economic Development
• Appointed to Standing Committee on International Relations
• Attended meetings of Rural Forum, Northern and Remote Forum, Women’s Committee

2010:

• Elected Vice-Chair of BC Caucus
• Appointed to Standing Committee on Social Economic Development
• Appointed to Standing Committee on International Relations
• Appointed Asia representative for FCM-MPED program
• Named to Expert Validation Workshop for Green Municipal Fund
• Presented at Sustainable Communities Conference on Energy Mapping
• Attended meetings of Rural Forum, Northern and Remote Forum, Women’s Committee

2011:

• Elected Chair of BC Caucus
• Appointed to Rural Forum
• Appointed to Disaster Financial Assistance Arrangement Subcommittee
• Appointed to Standing Committee on Increasing Women’s Participation in Local Government
• Presented webinar on how to leverage social media to help in local elections
• Appointed to Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
• Appointed to Standing Committee on International Relations
• Appointed Asia representative for FCM-MPED program

2012:

• Authored cover article for Municipal World, discussing Prince George’s experience with the growing bio-energy industry, the impact of the pine beetle on our forests, and prospects for our future.
• April, 2012 Appointed to the FCM Partners for Climate Protection Board.

I am asking for your support, for your vote.

I will continue to bring hard work, bridge building, and thoughtful dialogue into all our decisions. My vision is simple; I try to bring to life a future that I want my family to enjoy.

Leading a municipality is complex; there is a fine balance between services and taxation. Leading a Federation of municipal leaders demands boldness, but it also demands transparency, openness, frankness and diplomacy. In my business life, I have committed to those principles. I offer that to you in my commitment to my work as Third Vice-President.

I have the time, energy and drive to serve. I work hard. I would appreciate your support.

I want hear from you and connect with you.