And Paddy makes it four.

City of Kimberley councillor Paddy Weston has announced she intends to run for mayor in the upcoming municipal election.

Her announcement brings Kimberley’s current slate for mayor to four names, including current Mayor Jim Ogilvie, former one-term mayor Ron McCrae and Tim Park.

“I thought long and hard about the pros and cons of running for mayor versus councillor,” stated Weston, a one-term council member.

“A strong future for Kimberley requires an empowered council and management team, along with a working environment that encourages innovation, initiative and respectful communication. The mayor sets the tone for this future, and I believe that I have the skills, experience and passion to do the job,” she said, noting that four candidates (so far) “does seem like a lot, but I can offer a distinct, positive, practical and progressive option for the citizens of Kimberley.”

Weston said she is a strong believer in civic engagement and works hard at trying to inform and engage citizens “and then act.”

Kimberley’s council should build on the city’s strengths “to diversify our economy, keep up our infrastructure and celebrate our unique community character,” she said.

” In my role as councillor, I have come to learn that Kimberley is ready for a fresh approach to conducting business at city hall.  I am keen to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead and I will bring a thoughtful and collaborative approach to decision making,” Weston said, noting, “Over the past year many people have been urging me to run and offering their support.”

During her first term as councillor, Weston led the successful Spirit of Kimberley volunteer networking event in February, has brought forward numerous motions, and initiated a Memorandum of Understanding between the Health Centre Society and the city. And spurred by grassroots energy in the community groups she piloted the creation of a cosmetic pesticide ban bylaw, she noted in a release to the media.

Weston said her professional and personal backgrounds make her an excellent candidate to be mayor.

In her release she highlights “a wealth of management skills gained in private, non-profit and provincial government work encompassing: Instructing for private colleges and non-profit organizations ; Employment Consultant and Supervisor with the Ministry of Human Resources including management of a $25 million budget & unionized staff; owner/operator successful retail bookstore in downtown Vernon; and assistant manager of a large chain store.

Her volunteer contributions include terms as director of Chambers of Commerce in Kimberley and Vernon, director Downtown Business Association Vernon, Chair Kelowna Women’s Resource Centre, and a director with Big Sisters out of Kelowna.

Born in a small mining town in the southern Chilcotin, Weston said she learned from her parents what it meant to contribute to her community.

She said she was drawn to Kimberley by its natural beauty, the ski hill and community warmth, and immediately became involved.

After being elected to council in 2008, she has chaired the Health and Protection Committee and sits on the city Operations Committee, as well as served as council liaison for the Kimberley Chamber of Commerce, a director on the Health Centre Society, Public Library and CrimeStoppers.

In her release she listed her achievements while on council: Initiated a Memorandum of Understanding between the Health Centre Society and the city; Updated and strengthened the Council procedural bylaw; Collaborated with community groups to create a cosmetic pesticide ban bylaw; Brought forward two successful resolutions to the Area of Kootenay Boundary Local Government Association and the Union of BC Municipalities.

Her community involvement has included spearheading the successful Spirit of Kimberley volunteer networking event, supporting the library through its recent extensive renovations and strengthening the partnerships between the city and community organizations.

Pointing out that she brings a “thoughtful and collaborative approach to decision-making,” Weston said her career background in private, non-profit and provincial government areas has given her the management skills needed to be mayor, including working as an employment Consultant and supervisor with the Ministry of Human Resources, where she managed a $25 million budget and a unionized staff.

You can follow Paddy on Facebook or at www.westonformayor.ca .

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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