I arrived in Port Alberni 38 years ago to help my Mom and Dad set up Macleods Store on Third Avenue. Two years later I left the retail trade and became the new parts guy at Port Machine Works, a career that lasted nearly 30 years before I left to join (Canadian) Alberni Engineering in 2009.
I have two grown children, Kristen and Cody, both who are living here in the Alberni Valley.
I am a member of the Kiwanis Club of Port Alberni for more than 30 years, having the honour to be president on four occasions. In 1985 the club introduced “Our Town”, a free family fun summer program to which we celebrated our 29th to which I’ve been the Kiwanis liaison since 1993.
The Port Alberni Salmon Festival turned 43 in 2014, I joined the society in 1984 and have had the pleasure to be president for 18 terms.
I’ve had something to do with nearly all the B.C. Games hosted in the Valley, and was the chair of the 2010 Port Alberni Community Committee (Spirit of B.C.)
In 2013 the Chamber of Commerce presented me with the “Citizen of the year” award.
I was first elected to city council in 1999 and served one term. During this time I went on a huge learning curve of the goings on in municipal politics. Nearly a decade later, I found I still had an interest in what was happening in the Alberni Valley and began attending council meetings; and was pleased to represent you in city hall in 2011 and look forward to continue to serve you. I admit I don’t have all the answers but then again, all the questions have not been asked. When re-elected I will work towards a simple strategic plan, one created by council that we can deal with each completely then move to the next.