Prince George goes to the polls Nov. 19 to determine who will be their municipal leaders for the next three years.
In an effort to better inform the community on the 24 candidates running for a seat on Prince George municipal council, The Citizen sent out a form to all hopefuls with a series of questions that we hope will reveal their histories, priorities, qualifications and personalities.
Here are what they had to say.
Incumbent, mayoral candidate
1. Name: Shari Green
2. Occupation(s) (past and/or present): co-owner, J.J. Springer & Company.
Current city councillor, technical writer, computer software trainer, substitute teacher.
3. Community involvement and contributions: founding member, Downtown Partnership; co-chair, city’s beyond homelessness committee; member, city’s policy advisory committee; director, athlete and village services Canada Winter Games bid team; co-chair, P.G. torch celebration, 2010 Olympic/Paralympic Winter Games; past-president, Downtown Business Association; parent rep., provincial, school plans for student success; Parent Advisory Council vice-chair.
4. Other pertinent qualifications: Bachelor of Arts, Sociology.
5. Why are you running for mayor? I am running for mayor because it’s time to get Prince George moving beyond the status quo. Let’s get moving, is my commitment to a dynamic leadership change for Prince George. I am a business owner, taxpayer and leader in our community, with a strong and principled business perspective.
We must change the conversation about Prince George.
I love this city and believe in the power of Prince George citizens and council making our city a place of pride. I want us to get moving on the challenges throughout our community that require decisive action. My leadership will get the results that people in Prince George want, deserve and expect.
6. What can you uniquely bring to the city? My leadership style is inclusive, where the skills and abilities of everyone at the council table will be utilized and valued.
Public confidence will be restored when council leads by example. I will create an “open for business” environment, where we do what it takes to move this city ahead. The office of the mayor will be more accessible.
7. What are your most pressing issues? We need to live within our means, with financial discipline and by finding efficiencies. We must get tougher on crack shacks and gangs, because enough is enough with crime. We have to attract new families, investment and employers to Prince George.
City Hall is seen as a roadblock to progress and growth. We must re-open the doors, to work with those who see the tremendous opportunities and want to invest in our community, by finding solutions to challenging problems.
Attracting employers means jobs for families, and a better, affordable community for us all.
8. How do you propose to address those issues? To accomplish financial discipline and until we grow, we must tie the city’s ability to spend directly to its ability to pay.
I will challenge our staff to find cost savings in every department, and efficiencies in every operation.
We have to demand that vacant judges and sheriff positions are filled for swifter justice, and that the Downtown Enforcement Unit remains staffed at its full force.
9. What do you hope to accomplish in your three-year term should you be elected? We will begin to change the conversation about Prince George when tax rates are affordable, crime declines, we see growth in our city’s population, and City Hall is a partner in solutions, led by a stable and functioning council team.
