More Answers
Below I’ve included answers to frequently asked questions, and I will also post my answers to other Candidate Questions.
If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, please don’t hesitate to contact me directly.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are you running for Council?
I’m running for council because I have a heart of service. I value what residents have to say and want them to feel heard. One of my main goals is improving communication between residents and the City. Your issues are my issues.
What do you do now?
I’m an educator so every day I am involved in our community and sharing information with others. I moderate a local Facebook forum that is the “go to” for keeping more than 20,000 Vernon and area residents informed. I started a local political discussion group that now counts more than 1,700 members. I’m also a co-admin for other groups such as Vernon Area Fire/Flood Watch, Vintage Vernon, and Mutrie Dog Park. Most recently, I was part of the organizing committee for Vernon’s first Pride Week and I was honoured to be selected by my peers as the Grand Marshall for Vernon’s first Pride March in recognition of my longstanding work as an advocate in our community.
- I listen.
- I find answers for folks.
- I share relevant, timely, local information on social media, in person, by phone and text.
- I live downtown and support local business.
What will you do on Council?
I will listen, find answers and get back to you.
Where do you live?
I am born and raised in Vernon, and I live in an intergenerational household in downtown Vernon.
How can I donate to your campaign or get involved?
Donations can be sent via e-transfer to donate@buzzdawn.ca or via PayPal.
Maximum contribution is $1250. Sorry, no tax receipts can be provided. Please note that any donation over $100 requires this campaign to report your name and the amount of your donation.
Anonymous donations up to $50 can be accepted but must remain truly anonymous.
Find out more about campaign contribution rules as outlined in the Local Elections Campaign Financing Act.
Send a message to info@buzzdawn.ca to join Dawn’s team, or call 250.549.9615
When and how I can vote?
In October 2022, you can vote at advance polls, and on general voting day.
Advance Voting Days: October 5, 12 and 13
General Voting Day: October 15
** All voting opportunities will be from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM **
|
October 5 |
Schubert Centre |
| October 12 & 13 | City Hall Council Chambers 3400 30th Street |
| October 15 |
Recreation Centre Auditorium Fulton Secondary School Vernon Secondary School |
Please go to vernon.ca/elections for more voter information.
Candidate Questions
Questions from Castanet
Crime
I fully support investing in our RCMP and community support services, and in promoting increased use of our parks and downtown areas across many hours every day to ensure our city is a safer place for all to enjoy.
I will encourage residents and businesses to connect with the Community Safety Coordinator to join or form BlockWatches, report crime, install deterrents such as cameras, and follow tips provided by agencies like CrimeStoppers to increase their personal safety.
Affordability
I will encourage our neighbouring jurisdictions to step up and support the City of Vernon in leading the charge to make available more affordable and attainable housing in the North Okanagan.
To find more land for affordable housing projects, I will demand an inventory of all city-owned lands, and I will also request that we update the inventory of properties owned by not-for-profit, service clubs, faith groups and government agencies (i.e. all other municipalities, RDNO, provincial, federal) in the North Okanagan, as it was last conducted in 2011.
Active Living Centre
I fully support investing in recreational facilities and parks and would like to continue to explore ways for our city to work together with our regional neighbours to not only build new sports, recreational and cultural facilities, but also to repair and maintain our shared and existing infrastructure at service levels that are acceptable to all users in our Greater Vernon community.
If Vernon residents vote yes in the referendum to long-term borrow the funds required to build the Active Living Centre, I will do my best to attract grants and sponsorships to help reduce this tax burden for Vernon residents.
Post-Pandemic Economic Recovery
I support continuing to follow our province’s direction in respecting public health orders. As per the Local Government Act, our city is prohibited from directly assisting businesses, but we can continue to support and promote the efforts of business groups and advocates such as the Downtown Vernon Association, the Chamber of Commerce, and Vernon’s Tourism Commission, to name a few.
Questions from Other Organizations
1A) USING A SCALE OF 1 – 10, WITH #1 BEING ’CLIMATE CHANGE IS NOT AN IMPORTANT ISSUE IN THE WORLD’ AND #10 BEING ‘CLIMATE CHANGE REPRESENTS THE GREATEST CHALLENGE FACING EARTH TODAY,’ WHAT NUMBER WOULD YOU CHOOSE?
10 – climate change is the greatest challenge
1B) IF YOU HAVE TAKEN ANY ACTIONS TO BATTLE CLIMATE ACTION, PLEASE LIST THEM BELOW. IF NOT, PLEASE EXPLAIN WHY YOU HAVE NOT FELT IT NECESSARY TO DATE.
I walk where ever I can and when I don’t use the small mini truck, I maintain a pollinator pathway and keep bees, I keep trees and have been bringing in native plants and zeroscaping, minimize my trips, reduce and keep down my consumption, shop and eat local, live small, compost, recycle. I continually assess my life as to what my footprint is. I know there’s always room to do better.
C) IF ELECTED, WHAT WILL YOU ‘TAKE ON’ TO CHAMPION LOCAL CLIMATE ACTION?
I will strongly support the Climate Action Plan but also believe we need to do more. Stormwater is the #1 factor impacting lake water quality, Sewer is still not available to nearly 1,000 homes in Vernon, Trees are not getting protected in Vernon even though we have a bylaw that says they’re supposed to be. I’ll work to improve our record in these 3 areas.
The Greater Vernon Chamber of Commerce
North Okanagan Cycling Society
1. My vision of mountain biking in our community is that we have world class mountain biking in our area that we need to continue to grow and support.
2. Work together with NOCS to provide even more mind-blowing experiences.
3. I have been a member of NOCS and ridden a number of our local trails. I would love to see the NOCS promote use of the facility at Becker Bike Park or host events to introduce more kids to the sport, right downtown.
4.I would continue providing support via RDNO’s Greater Vernon Parks, Trails and Natural Spaces.
5. Yes. If we can’t do one in Vernon excellent opportunities exist within Greater Vernon for a mountain bike skills park including at the new 334-acre Coldstream Ranchlands Park. Working together with our regional partners, I will explore all opportunities to increase affordable and accessible recreation in the Greater Vernon area and in the North Okanagan, with the support of groups such as NOCS.