I grew up in Port Alberni then Victoria. I returned to Port Alberni in September 2012 to spend time with and help my grandmother, Shirley Whyte, after my grandfather, Terry Whyte, died in December 2011. I joined Alberni Valley Transition Towns Society (AVTTS) shortly after that.
In February 2014, I was asked to become a director for AVTTS and become the coordinator for a Food Hub that we are developing with support from Island Health.
The goal of the food hub is to increase food security and the availability of local food within the Alberni Valley.
We need to work together. Not just as a city council, but as a community to address the challenges we face. These challenges include climate change, water security, food security, senior’s living and care, mental illness, addictions, and poverty.
The city can provide facilitation between groups, bringing concerned members of our community together to address these concerns.
Our council can ensure that our community’s concerns and solutions are heard by the provincial and federal governments.
There are many things that we can do as well, from developing bicycle infrastructure, and our bus system; to working to purchase our watershed, and supporting our local farmers through the Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District.
Let’s create a beautiful, resilient Port Alberni together.
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