Rita Giesbrecht
Councillor candidate
Since moving here in 1990, I have been involved in numerous organizations. Currently, I am an Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre Society director; District Arts Council director and president of the Regional Arts Council; vice-chair of the Food Security Committee and South Cariboo Community Planning Council representative.
It is my firm belief that progress can be made through collaboration with these groups and local government, and welcome the chance to work from the other side of the equation.
QUESTION 1
For the last five years, our group of volunteers has been working to establish the Agri-Culture Enterprise Centre, an economic development centre for the agriculture sector, including a food security plan for the region.
100 Mile Lodge was identified as the location for the Centre because it is the historic beginning not only of the town, but of pioneering organic growing and food self-sufficiency, many years ago.
It was identified by the 2009 feasibility study, and I feel even more strongly now, that when the District of 100 Mile House was gifted The Lodge complex to benefit the region, that this opportunity should be seized.
Tourism can be a driver for a local economy but is under-developed. Working with the Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association. I am aware of opportunities we could access, starting with Municipal Regional District Tax marketing funding.
If we leverage our Heritage, our Arts and Culture community, and our potential for developing a new Agriculture and Food economy, we can build a vigorous healthy community for families.