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Our Vernon, Our VoiceI’m running for Vernon City Council because I believe the people making decisions about our community should understand what those decisions mean in the everyday lives of the people who live here.I’ll bring lived experience, practical judgment, and an understanding of how government works to the council table.

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I Know How Government Works. I Also Know Where It Doesn't.Working in government has given me a close-up view of how decisions affect people in their everyday lives.I've helped people navigate government systems, worked with community organizations and seen problems that don't fit neatly within one level of government's responsibility.That experience has taught me something important: good leadership isn't saying, “That's not our jurisdiction,” and walking away.Sometimes the City's job is to act. Sometimes it's to advocate. Sometimes it's to bring the right people together. And sometimes it's to make sure another level of government does its part.I understand how to work across levels of government and across political lines. I will bring those relationships and that experience to City Hall and use them to advocate for Vernon.

MY APPROACH

AFFORDABILITY
Before making a decision, I want to know what it will mean for the people who have to pay for it and live with it.PRACTICALITY
I’m interested in what works. I’ll look at the evidence, ask questions and weigh the costs and consequences before making decisions. Good local government means finding practical solutions that make sense for Vernon and the people who live here.COLLABORATION
Vernon cannot solve every challenge alone. I know how to work with different levels of government, community organizations and people across political lines to find solutions and advocate for our community.REPRESENTATION
Homeowners and renters. Seniors and young people. Workers and business owners. Families and people living alone. Good local government considers all of us.

Affordability is about more than the price of a home. It's about whether the people who work here, raise families here and retire here can afford to stay here.Vernon has made important progress planning for more housing and creating more housing choices. I support continuing that work.As we grow, I want us to keep asking whether we're creating the kinds of homes people at different incomes and stages of life actually need. That means supporting a mix of housing, making good use of the land and infrastructure we already have, and working with other levels of government, non-profits and the private sector where we can accomplish more together.As a renter living in a multigenerational household, I understand how differently rising housing costs can affect people.More homes matter. So does whether the people who call Vernon home can afford them.

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Growth is coming. The question is how we manage it.Vernon has done significant work planning for future growth. Our new Official Community Plan gives us a strong framework for adding housing and jobs while making better use of existing neighbourhoods, infrastructure and services.I want to build on that work.As major developments are considered, we should understand not only what they offer today, but what the roads, utilities and services they require will cost over their lifetime. Growth should contribute fairly to the infrastructure it needs without unnecessarily adding to the cost of housing.Good growth should also make everyday life easier by connecting homes with jobs, services and practical transportation choices.Vernon is going to grow. Let's make sure we grow in a way that makes life better and more affordable for the people who live here.

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A strong community is one where people feel safe in their neighbourhoods, can enjoy our parks and public spaces, and have opportunities to connect with one another.Vernon has already built important partnerships around community safety, accessibility, recreation and social well-being. I want to build on that work while making sure we're paying attention to what residents, businesses and neighbourhoods are experiencing.Some of our most difficult challenges cannot be solved by municipal government alone. When the underlying issue involves housing, health care, mental health or addictions, Vernon should do the work that belongs to the City while being a strong advocate for the services and support our community needs from other levels of government.We can care about public safety, belonging and people at the same time.

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Vernon already recognizes that one of the best ways to strengthen our economy is to support the businesses and entrepreneurs who are here, help them grow and create more opportunities for local people.I want City Hall to be clear and practical to work with, encourage responsible investment and keep looking for opportunities to diversify our economy.But economic development and affordability are connected. Businesses need workers, and workers need housing, transportation and incomes that make it possible to build a life in the community where they work.A strong economy isn't only about attracting investment. It's about creating a Vernon where businesses can succeed and people can see a future for themselves here.

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I've worn a lot of hats over the years, and I think that's one of the strengths I would bring to Vernon City Council.I've worked in government, agriculture, small business, non-profits, hospitality and management. I've worked on farms and in offices, managed people and budgets, been self-employed, gone back to school as an adult, and spent years working directly with people who needed help navigating government.I've spent several years living and working abroad, including in England, Ireland, Greece and the Netherlands. Experiencing different cultures and ways of doing things broadened my perspective and taught me that there is rarely only one way to solve a problem.Together, those experiences have introduced me to people from just about every walk of life. They've taught me to listen, adapt, work with different kinds of people and never assume that good ideas belong to one profession, income bracket or political persuasion.Today, I work in government helping people navigate programs, services and systems that can sometimes feel overwhelming. That work has given me an understanding of how government operates, but just as importantly, where the gaps are. I've learned how much can be accomplished when different levels of government, community organizations and people with different perspectives work together.I also believe strongly in giving back to the community I call home. I serve on the board of my local Métis society, where we support community members, preserve and share our culture, and look for practical ways to help people in our community.My education is in business, with further studies in accounting. I value evidence, asking questions, and like understanding how the numbers work. But I also know that a decision that makes sense on a spreadsheet can look very different around someone's kitchen table.Outside of work and community involvement, I enjoy gardening, kayaking, creating art and beadwork. I share a home with my mom, who is a senior living on a fixed pension. Like many families in Vernon, we help one another and make life work together. It keeps me grounded in the everyday realities facing seniors and families as the cost of living continues to rise.I'm not running because I think I have all the answers. I'm running because I know how to listen, how to do the work, and how to bring people together to find practical solutions.Vernon is my home. I want it to be a community where people at every stage of life can afford to live, feel that they belong, and have a voice in the decisions that shape our future.

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