On Oct. 20, Prince George residents will pick one mayor, eight councillors and seven school trustees. The ballot will have two mayoral candidates, 13 councillor candidates and 11 school trustee candidates. There are also 15 candidates running in the Regional District of Fraser-Fort George.
PrinceGeorgeMatters has sent out a list of questions to those vying for a seat in public office.
Name: Betty Bekkering
Running for: School trustee
Age: 65+ ... That's as accurate as you're getting!
Number of years lived in Prince George: 29
Current neighbourhood: Millar Addition
Occupation: Retired college coordinator
Reason community would recognize your name:
Placed many, many local students in their co-op work terms over the years. They are now making a living in Prince George, employed in their academically related work.
Co-founder of an air quality activist group who worked diligently to see a marked improvement in PG’s air quality.
Was a federal candidate for Jack Layton in 2008.
Served a term as school trustee from 2011 to 2014.
What is the most important issue facing the school district, and how do you propose to deal with it?
Recruitment of educators to North Central B.C.
B.C. teachers are the lowest paid in the country. Achieving at least parity with the other provinces would help with the recruitment problem.
What is your specific reason for running?
I lost my spouse to cancer last fall. He kept a journal for the last six months of his life. In it, he made several entries encouraging me to run in this election, saying that I still had a lot to offer. I couldn't refuse!
Where can the school board spend less?
Over the past four years, our board and administration were tasked with making difficult cuts to our budget! I think there needs to be a concerted effort to ask for increased spending to bolster the programs that were hurt over the past four years.
Where should the school board be investing more?
Recruitment and communication to the public.
Next time you’re walking in the woods and you come face-to-face with a Sasquatch, what do you do?
I don’t believe they exist. But if I met one in the woods, I would comment on a great costume!
If the next school board does something film-worthy, who would play you in the film?
Shirley Temple. Cheerful, optimistic, forthright!
Complete the sentence...
The most random, yet interesting fact about me is: My spouse wanted to move from Vancouver to a smaller community 29 years ago. I came to Prince George kicking and screaming. I love Prince George now! I know I will never leave.
My favourite beverage is: Chai tea. Love it!
For Christmas/Hanukkah/the gift-giving season, I would like:...more time with my spouse.
The best park in/near to Prince George is: Lheidli T'enneh Park
If Prince George didn’t exist, I’d be living in: Well, if Prince George never existed, I guess I would still be living in Vancouver, overstressed and pocket poor!
When I need some pump-up music, I listen to: I tune to our community radio station and listen to '60s/'70s/'80s music. And I usually know the words!
