Willow MacDonald is running to become the new director for Area L in the Cariboo Regional District (CRD).
MacDonald moved to the South Cariboo in 2016 with her husband and 11-year-old daughter. Her husband is a paramedic working in 100 Mile House.
Question: When did you initially get involved with politics and how long have you been involved?
A: In 2011 I ran in the local government election in Area B, on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District (TNRD). In serving on the TNRD for the last seven years, I have found that Public Service is about forging good relationships, with residents, businesses and colleagues.
Q: What made you want to run for director of CRD Area L? Is it your first time?
A: Residents have commented that they feel underrepresented at the current time. I feel strongly about engaging with those that I currently represent and want to have our voices in Area L heard at the board, regional and provincial levels.
RELATED: Candidates officially declared for School District 27 2018 election
Q: What are some of the more important issues in the Cariboo Regional District?
A: The issue of local governments and cannabis is of great importance and many towns and regional districts have opted out of allowing cannabis sales as they are unsure of how it will affect the sales, social and policing dynamics in the region. This might not be beneficial in a few ways, namely that it could serve to continue illegal sales of cannabis products as few people will have access to legal local sales and as cannabis is now will be considered a farm product and is able to be grown on agricultural land.
The second issue of importance is the new fire-inspection regulations that are being downloaded by the province onto regional districts. To have regional districts conduct fire inspections on any building in part or in whole in any building where the public congregates is concerning when considering home-based businesses and such things as Airbnb properties.
The last issue that I think is of great concern is one of the wildfires and the rural/urban interface issues that communities across the province face. My concern is that if we do not have proper supports and consistent, reliable funding from the federal and provincial governments, our communities will continue to have to deal with out of control wildfires, and resulting flooding in the years to come.
RELATED: Update: More candidates in the running for CRD director positions
Q: What do you wish to accomplish during your term if elected?
A: I want the Lone Butte/Interlakes Area to prosper economically and as a collective of community that has their own identities and needs as distinct small communities. Representation is important to me and a bottom-up approach to moving local initiatives forward is always of prime importance to me.
Q: Why should the people of South Cariboo vote for you?
A: When I was elected in 2011, I thought it was my privilege and my duty to listen well to the needs and desires of my constituents. I believe that it is our voice that is important, not just my voice.
Q: How can supporters get in touch with you or find more out about your platform?
A: Webiste: willow4arealcariboo.com. My phone number is 250-674-7303 and I can also be reached at Teresa’s Treasures, the consignment store on Birch Avenue.
newsroom@100milefreepress.net
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.