I believe in change It is good for the soul and from my vantage point as a husband and father with a successful career, I should be looking for a fresh challenge. Married to Darlene, with three great kids, they are behind my ambition to take on the role of mayor, 100%.
Momentous things are happening, some good, some not so good. The public is aware of them all. Voters can stay the course or make changes. I hope that change is what they want, young as we may be.
No longer a silent critic, I offer my time, my talents and myself as a proven business manager and leader. I compete and collaborate daily with fellow managers throughout North America. I have experienced much success and I will use that success as my guide.
We need a united council who understand that they are accountable to the electorate.
I believe that I am capable of leading this community as it grows and thrives; That I am capable of ensuring that the best interests of the community is at the forefront of each decision that is made and every initiative that is voted in has merit and value.
Council needs an engaged leader, one who is strong enough to take a stand when called upon. One who understands the need for individual expression and who is also smart enough to let the people on staff who have been challenged with specific responsibilities to do their jobs. Unencumbered but ultimately accountable for themselves.
One who won't sit back and wait to see where the chips fall before being counted and making a statement.
We don't need politicians. We need a united group of intelligent individuals, each with their own strengths whose motivation is the betterment of the community. Period.
Monday, October 27, 2008
My vision for our community
This is my community. I have lived here for 17 years and I feel very strongly about where we are going in the coming years and I want to be a part of that journey.
I see Westbank as a vibrant community where people want to spend their time and their money. We have a beautiful area that we can all be proud of and I want to make sure that we continue to show the world that we are the place to be.
I believe that in order to do that, we have to be in control of our growth, sensitive to the needs of the people and willing to be accountable to those that have placed their trust in their elected officials. Willing to listen to the voice of the people and value their concerns.
I see the Westside as its own distinct region; not just that place across the lake from Kelowna. I want all of us to be able to say that we are from Westbank and people will know where that is.
Let me share some of what I see as focal points for our government;
Completion of the sewer project. I understand some funds have been secured but far less than what was asked for which has resulted in a potential price tag of $13,000.00 per household. I will explore every avenue possible to try and drive that number down.
24 hour emergency health care facility. I would lobby to see that a suitable plot of land is secured; One that has future growth potential. At the rate at which our community is growing, I can't see the sense in merely centralizing our existing health care services as has been proposed. i.e the creation of a facility that would essentially house our current walk in medical services, x-ray and lab facilities, pharmacy etc. I don't see this as a long term solution and I certainly don't see how this is an improvement. I believe the time is now to start construction on a full service health care facility on the westside.
Development of youth oriented facility(s); The youth in our community have been overlooked in the interest of development. Activities such as the bowling alley, Old McDonalds farm and the water slides have all been sacrificed. I would like to see council pursue the development of venues designed to engage our young and show them that their interests are important and that they matter. If given the option of doing something fun and getting together with their friends in a safe environment versus doing nothing and having no where to go, I think that we might all be surprised at how many kids would be in favour of having a place to go.
A fiscally responsible government; Like us, the government needs to operate profitably, and responsibly. Any and all efforts have to be made in the interest of keeping taxes in check. It is imperative that they operate within their means.
Creation of a vibrant lake front; Lets face it, tourists come here come for the lake and the wine. We already have some of the most beautiful and world renowned wineries right here in our backyard in Mission Hill and Quails Gate to name but two. We then need to turn our attention to the development of a destination lake front that will keep them coming back. Peachland and Penticton both are to be commended for their vision regarding their piece of beautiful Lake Okanagan and we need to do the same. The lake is arguably our most valuable asset and we need to leverage it to its fullest potential.
Development Controls; I think most of us would agree that development is not only inevitable but necessary. But that doesn't mean that it can continue in the seemingly out of control, out of balance way that it has over the past few years. Our landscape is changing, and not necessarily for the better. Lake views are becoming obstructed and natural habitats and eco systems are being disrupted. We have to ensure that the interests of all parties, animal, vegetable or mineral, are taken into account before development proposals are approved. The balance between man and nature has always been tenuous and we have to be keenly aware that our actions today can and will have long term consequences if we do not proceed cautiously. I for one do not want to have to show my grand kids what the lake "used" to look like.
There are many more equally important issues at hand and I would like to share with you all of them but I think that I have provided you with a snap shot of myself and what matters to me. I hope that we share some of these concerns and I hope to be granted the chance to see at least some of them through to completion.
Thank you for reading this
I see Westbank as a vibrant community where people want to spend their time and their money. We have a beautiful area that we can all be proud of and I want to make sure that we continue to show the world that we are the place to be.
I believe that in order to do that, we have to be in control of our growth, sensitive to the needs of the people and willing to be accountable to those that have placed their trust in their elected officials. Willing to listen to the voice of the people and value their concerns.
I see the Westside as its own distinct region; not just that place across the lake from Kelowna. I want all of us to be able to say that we are from Westbank and people will know where that is.
Let me share some of what I see as focal points for our government;
Completion of the sewer project. I understand some funds have been secured but far less than what was asked for which has resulted in a potential price tag of $13,000.00 per household. I will explore every avenue possible to try and drive that number down.
24 hour emergency health care facility. I would lobby to see that a suitable plot of land is secured; One that has future growth potential. At the rate at which our community is growing, I can't see the sense in merely centralizing our existing health care services as has been proposed. i.e the creation of a facility that would essentially house our current walk in medical services, x-ray and lab facilities, pharmacy etc. I don't see this as a long term solution and I certainly don't see how this is an improvement. I believe the time is now to start construction on a full service health care facility on the westside.
Development of youth oriented facility(s); The youth in our community have been overlooked in the interest of development. Activities such as the bowling alley, Old McDonalds farm and the water slides have all been sacrificed. I would like to see council pursue the development of venues designed to engage our young and show them that their interests are important and that they matter. If given the option of doing something fun and getting together with their friends in a safe environment versus doing nothing and having no where to go, I think that we might all be surprised at how many kids would be in favour of having a place to go.
A fiscally responsible government; Like us, the government needs to operate profitably, and responsibly. Any and all efforts have to be made in the interest of keeping taxes in check. It is imperative that they operate within their means.
Creation of a vibrant lake front; Lets face it, tourists come here come for the lake and the wine. We already have some of the most beautiful and world renowned wineries right here in our backyard in Mission Hill and Quails Gate to name but two. We then need to turn our attention to the development of a destination lake front that will keep them coming back. Peachland and Penticton both are to be commended for their vision regarding their piece of beautiful Lake Okanagan and we need to do the same. The lake is arguably our most valuable asset and we need to leverage it to its fullest potential.
Development Controls; I think most of us would agree that development is not only inevitable but necessary. But that doesn't mean that it can continue in the seemingly out of control, out of balance way that it has over the past few years. Our landscape is changing, and not necessarily for the better. Lake views are becoming obstructed and natural habitats and eco systems are being disrupted. We have to ensure that the interests of all parties, animal, vegetable or mineral, are taken into account before development proposals are approved. The balance between man and nature has always been tenuous and we have to be keenly aware that our actions today can and will have long term consequences if we do not proceed cautiously. I for one do not want to have to show my grand kids what the lake "used" to look like.
There are many more equally important issues at hand and I would like to share with you all of them but I think that I have provided you with a snap shot of myself and what matters to me. I hope that we share some of these concerns and I hope to be granted the chance to see at least some of them through to completion.
Thank you for reading this
Peter Haslock: Mayoral candidate Westside 08
Haslock campaign statement;
My wife Darlene, my son Scott and twin daughters Christine and Nicole have lived on the Westside in Glenrosa for 17 years. We chose the Westside because it was a smaller community and was well established and had the schools that we needed to see our kids through each phase of their education.
We knew right away that this was where we would make our home. We care about the community and that is a primary reason for me to want to run for the mayor’s seat. I want to be part of the growth that will come; I want to make sure that whatever initiatives our council decides to undertake that the interests of the citizens of Westbank and surrounding area are duly represented.
I may be new to politics but I believe strongly in my abilities. I value diplomacy. I am an ambassador for our community, I am a manager and a leader. I believe that the best decisions will ultimately come from a unified council that understands the need for open and honest communication and that they are ultimately accountable to the public who elected them.
The days ahead will surely be exciting. We have the opportunity to create a better, safer, more prosperous community; a community where people can enjoy quality of life and feel proud of. A community where our seniors can enjoy quality of life, which they deserve. Where our children have access to a high caliber education that will prepare them for their lives as adults and contributing members of our society.
This region has grown exponentially in the past few years and is poised to experience even more growth in the years ahead. I want to ensure that it is controlled and in the best interests of the public and not simply for profit.
Completion of the sewer project, adequate street lighting, sidewalks at least on school routes are also high on the list.
I want to encourage the development of venues designed to enhance the lives of our children. The past few years has seen the disappearance of the attractions we did have in the name of progress and I think we owe it to our kids to include them in our growth, not just for today but for tomorrow.
Indeed, the list of items that need attention is long and I think that the present mayor and council have done an excellent job in identifying many of these items and prioritizing them. They had a lot to do in 12 months and their success’ far outweigh their non-success’.
In closing, I am confident in my abilities and I am keenly aware of my shortcomings. I have no illusions as to the importance of the role and I am up for the challenge. I want to see our community prosper and I want to be part of making that happen.
My wife Darlene, my son Scott and twin daughters Christine and Nicole have lived on the Westside in Glenrosa for 17 years. We chose the Westside because it was a smaller community and was well established and had the schools that we needed to see our kids through each phase of their education.
We knew right away that this was where we would make our home. We care about the community and that is a primary reason for me to want to run for the mayor’s seat. I want to be part of the growth that will come; I want to make sure that whatever initiatives our council decides to undertake that the interests of the citizens of Westbank and surrounding area are duly represented.
I may be new to politics but I believe strongly in my abilities. I value diplomacy. I am an ambassador for our community, I am a manager and a leader. I believe that the best decisions will ultimately come from a unified council that understands the need for open and honest communication and that they are ultimately accountable to the public who elected them.
The days ahead will surely be exciting. We have the opportunity to create a better, safer, more prosperous community; a community where people can enjoy quality of life and feel proud of. A community where our seniors can enjoy quality of life, which they deserve. Where our children have access to a high caliber education that will prepare them for their lives as adults and contributing members of our society.
This region has grown exponentially in the past few years and is poised to experience even more growth in the years ahead. I want to ensure that it is controlled and in the best interests of the public and not simply for profit.
Completion of the sewer project, adequate street lighting, sidewalks at least on school routes are also high on the list.
I want to encourage the development of venues designed to enhance the lives of our children. The past few years has seen the disappearance of the attractions we did have in the name of progress and I think we owe it to our kids to include them in our growth, not just for today but for tomorrow.
Indeed, the list of items that need attention is long and I think that the present mayor and council have done an excellent job in identifying many of these items and prioritizing them. They had a lot to do in 12 months and their success’ far outweigh their non-success’.
In closing, I am confident in my abilities and I am keenly aware of my shortcomings. I have no illusions as to the importance of the role and I am up for the challenge. I want to see our community prosper and I want to be part of making that happen.
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