Heloise Dixon-Warren seeks 2nd term as
Director for Electoral Area B –
Cariboo Regional District (Bouchie Lake
to Strathnaver)
VISION:
Healthy, engaged, connected neighbourhoods where inequities are reduced and
residents can access services close to home.
Healthy, engaged, connected neighbourhoods where inequities are reduced and
residents can access services close to home.
With the nearing completion of my
1st term as Director for Electoral Area B with the Cariboo Regional
District, I will be seeking a second term.
Much of any elected official’s first term is developing a solid
understanding on the services provided by the Cariboo Regional District, the challenges
and opportunities our communities face,
and how one can navigate the system to be effective. As such, to not run again for another term
would be a disservice to the residents of Electoral Area B.
Over the past 3 years, I have
made it a priority to become informed on issues, seek to understand, and then distribute
this information to residents.
Information I have learnt and /or received, I have passed on to
residents via email, through word of mouth, posters, in newsletter, and on
social media. My email distribution
includes residents all over the North Cariboo and beyond. Residents have commented that they have never
heard so much from an elected official before and they have appreciated this
approach.
My husband, Ted, our 2 girls, and
I, have lived in Area B since 2002; the
Bouchie Lake / Milburn Lake area is our
home. I am a Registered Professional
Forester (1994) and work as a consultant.
We also own Moose Meadows Farm. I
am a strong advocate of the North Cariboo agriculture / local food production
sector and have held a key role on some related initiatives. I also believe in healthy rural communities
where residents are engaged and barriers are removed so that services are
easily accessible to all. With this
approach, I believe our communities will become more highly desirable places to
live, work and play. Healthy communities begin close to home and result in
thriving neighbourhoods whereby we all benefit.
Below are my Goals for the next 4
years and my accomplishments over the last 3 years. I have also included a list of my current
volunteer involvement and commitments as I believe, how a person is connected
to their community speaks volume to their priorities and values. I shall be providing additional details on
each of my goals, why they are important and how each can be achieved on my
BLOG at http://heloisedixon-warren.blogspot.ca/
. I also have a facebook page and can be
contacted via email (mmfarm@goldcity.net)
or 250.249.5329.
I am planning some “Coffee
House Meet & Greets” at local cafes. This will be an opportunity for me to get out
into the community, meet people, and hear their concerns and discuss
opportunities. The best form of
governance is based upon engaged communities as no single person can do it
all. I will be promoting these “Meet
& Greets” on my blog, on facebook and via posters.
Goal 1: Further collaborate and establish stronger partnerships which further support our rural communities to be even healthier places to live, work, raise a family, and play. This could include opportunities for rural economic development and diversification, improved accessibility, transportation, and recreation. The completion of Neighbourhood Plans could be considered.
Goal 2: Work with my
colleagues of the Northern Caucus (Directors A, B, C and I) and the City of
Quesnel (North Cariboo Joint Planning Committee) towards the creation of a
long-term Recreation Plan for the North Cariboo Recreation & Parks Taxation
Function. This plan would outline strategies to ensure the long-term management
and sustainability of the function based upon infrastructure needs, changing
demographics, and creating a more equitable and consistent system for funding
allocation.
Goal 3: Work closely with
Area B communities to become “Fire Smart” so that risk of Wildfire is mitigated
as much as possible. This could include
the creation of Community Wildfire Protection Plans and implementing FireSmart
activities.
Goal 4: Re-assess our reliance
on volunteers and how we can create new and innovative ways to support
them. Volunteerism is a key component of
rural lifestyles and many services we rely on are provided by volunteers.
Goal 5: Through the Healthier
Communities Committee - North Cariboo (http://growingnorthcariboosociety.farmed.ca/projects/ )
support projects which are focused on community health and our
communities being food secure and how local food production is tied to physical
activity and overall health;
Goal 6: Listen to and
respond to residents when concerns and comments are brought forward. Represent the voice of Electoral Area B
residents at the Cariboo Regional District and Cariboo Chilcotin Regional
Hospital District Board of Directors;
Goal
7: Continue to distribute
information to residents through various media outlets – e.g. newsletters,
email, facebook, blog, word of mouth, etc.
Healthy
Communities
ü
Led, and Co-Chaired,
the establishment of Healthier Communities Committee - North Cariboo (2014); (http://growingnorthcariboosociety.farmed.ca/projects );
ü
Steered and led the access of $20,000 through
BC Healthy Communities to support Phase 1 ($5000) and Phase 2 ($15,000) of a
Healthier Communities Project for both Bouchie – Milburn Lake and Ten Mile lake
/ Moose Heights (2014); Phase 2 includes collaboration and piloting projects
focused on Transportation, Recreation Programs, and Increased Utilisation of
rural facilities;
ü
Cariboo
Regional District Representative on Quesnel Air Quality Roundtable (2012-2014)
Economic
Development
ü
Spearheaded
the accessed of $3000.00 through the North Cariboo Economic Development
function to support the maintenance of outhouses on Milburn Lake and Bouchie
Lake (2014) (outhouses were previously maintained by volunteers);
ü
Represented
the Cariboo Regional District on QCEDC / Quesnel Community Economic Development
Corporation (2012-13)
Recreation
ü
Attended
meetings of the Parkland and Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission and actively
engaged in recreation commission business including the development of Business
Plans and the Budget Process (2011-14);
ü
Working
closely with Bouchie Lake Recreation in the development of the proposed 2015
Infrastructure Project (2014);
ü
Supported
the re-establishment of the Bouchie Lake Community Association to compliment
the Bouchie Lake Recreation Commission in offering programs and events; Aided in the launch of programs (e.g. yoga,
Zumba, dance) at our rural facilities (2012);
Involved with the further development of programs and events ( Lawnchair
Travel, Equine Extravaganza, HomeBase Business Market);
ü
Supported
Parkland Community Association;
ü
Cariboo
Regional District Representative on Alex Fraser Park Society Board of Directors
(2014);
ü
Representative
on the North Cariboo Recreation & Parks Commission (2011-2013);
Fire Protection
ü
Re-instated
the Fire Services Advisory Commission for Bouchie Lake Volunteer Fire
Department after it not being in existence for 5-6 years;
ü
Facilitated
FireSmart Workshops at Bouchie Lake Hall
and Parkland Community Centre in partnership with the Cariboo Fire Centre
(2013);
Grants for Assistance
ü
Supported
the 2nd donation by Electoral Areas A, B, C and I to the Quesnel
Community Foundation (2011-12) which totaled $200,000 matched with $200,000
from Northern Development Initiative Trust;
ü
Re-instated
Grants for Assistance for Electoral Area B following no grants for 2 years (2013);
Community Engagement
/ Communication
ü
Made it a
priority to be informed on issues and seek to understand.
ü
Distributed
information relevant to residents through email, social media (facebook, Blog),
and via my electronic newsletter “Letter B”;
ü
Responded
promptly to resident questions and concerns and sought information as needed;
ü
Supported
Volunteer Appreciation Events in Ten Mile Lake and Bouchie Lake (2013);
ü
Hosted 2
Community Open Houses (2012)
Other
ü
Attended
an AAC / Agriculture Advisory Committee meeting and provided a report to the
Cariboo Regional District (2013)
ü
Attended
NCLGA / North Central Local Government Association Conference (2012, 2013,
2014)
ü
Attended
UBCM / Union of BC Municipalities Convention (2012, 2013, 2014)
ü
Attended
LGLA / Local Government Leadership Academy Training (2012, 2013)
Other Local Volunteer
Involvement
ü
FARMED /
North Cariboo Agricultural Marketing Association – Founder / Chair
ü
Growing
North Cariboo Society – Vice Chair
ü
Bouchie
Lake Community Association – Director;
ü
Quesnel
& District Riding Club – member; participant on the Quesnel Quadrille
Riders
ü
Quesnel
Farmers Market – member
ü
Backcountry
Horsemen of BC – North Cariboo Chapter (member)
https://www.scribd.com/doc/243695180/Heloise-Dixon-Warren-Seeks-a-2nd-Term-as-CRD-Director-Area-B-2014-Election-Platform
