I enjoyed a lunch meeting today with our School District Superintendent, Larry Espe, and about a dozen parents representing various schools within our District.  As a Trustee on our School District#60 Board of Education, I value the input and involvement of parents, and recognize that the education and development of our children requires input from the home, the community and the school.  We must work together to provide a safe, positive environment where children can learn and grow and reach their potential in all aspects of their lives.

Started putting signs up today!  Have to get them in before the ground freezes.  Now it feels like I'm in the race!  Lawn signs will start going up this week.  Let me know if you want one for your yard.  Gotta spread the word!

Every day I walk through our downtown streets on my way to and from work.  I enjoy meeting people and waving to many of you as you drive by on your way through town to your various destinations.  But as I look around, I wonder how we can make our downtown streets a place where people come to rather than simply drive through.  I would love to see an area of activity where people are meeting for coffee in the morning, gathering at the end of the day, walking in and out of shops, window shopping . . . . . a safe place, where we belong; where we can experience community!

I am pleased to see that there are more people running for City Council than there are seats available.  It would be a shame if such a vital position was bestowed upon someone solely by acclamation.  It is important that people be given a choice and a responsibility to elect one candidate over another.  In this way, the candidates are compelled to present their views and perspectives on issues, and the voter has the opportunity to measure one against the other and vote accordingly.  Elections influence those who have held the elected position in the past and, of course, elections influence those who are running.  But elections also affect the general population and draw them into the discussion about what is important and what challenges lie ahead.  Thank you to all who have agreed to be nominated and have entered the race.  May the results of the election result in a better community!

Enjoyed a visit from Minister of Education George Abbott, who was in Fort St. John to celebrate the Grand Opening of the Energetic Learning Campus at the Pomeroy Sport Centre. What a beautiful and functional facility! It is is an excellent example of our School District's commitment to providing an innovative and creative personalized learning environment for our students. It's a wonderful partnership between the City of FSJ and School District #60, that benefits our whole community!

All too often we take for granted the blessings we afforded to us in this country and in this community.  That is why it is wonderful that we specifically set aside this weekend to give thanks and show appreciation for all the goodness we enjoy.  It reminds us that we must be good stewards of all the resources with which we have been blessed!

So it's official ... I am running for FSJ City Council and I would really appreciate your support! I have created a "Gord Klassen for FSJ City Council" facebook page, which I will be updating regularly. I also want that page to be a place where you can voice any issues you may have or make comments on the campaign. And spread the word, would you?! Election is Saturday, November 19, 2011.

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Gord-Klassen-for-FSJ-City-Council/167804219970298