Heloise Dixon-Warren Seeks a 2nd Term as the CRD Director for Area B

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.

With the nearing completion of my 1^st 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.  

 

Goals for 2014-2018 as Electoral Area B Director:

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.

 Accomplishments Associated with the Cariboo Regional District (2011-2014):

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 2^nd 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