Fort St. John! I love it here! It's my hometown! I grew up here, went to school here, got my first job here, met and married my wife here! And this is where we raised our own family! There is no place like Fort St. John! That's why I choose to live here! It's where I want to live!
It's a community with an interesting past and an even more exciting future! As it says on the City website, "Modern day pioneers continue to bring a fresh spirit of exploration, innovation and community to the City"!
It's a community with an interesting past and an even more exciting future! As it says on the City website, "Modern day pioneers continue to bring a fresh spirit of exploration, innovation and community to the City"!
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We enjoy an overwhelming wealth of resources including oil, gas, lumber, and agriculture,
not to mention the recent discovery that we are located in the middle
of the biggest shale gas field in the world. These resources have been
the cause of our growth and success as a community and with proper
management, will continue to stimulate our local economy and provide us
with prosperity. We must ensure that we create an economy and an
environment that is sustainable over the many years to come.
The environment is more fragile than we think. It is imperative that, in all situations - in industry, in recreation, in the individual decisions we make - we consider the impact to the environment. We must be good stewards of the world in which we live. We must learn to appreciate and protect the agricultural land in and around our area. We would do well to encourage local food production and consumption. |
But our greatest resource is the people of our region; energetic people who work hard, think creatively, show innovation in business, aren't afraid to try something new. And we have many individuals in our community who are leading experts in their field of study or business or industry. We can be proud of that!
I love the fact that Fort St. John is made up of a well-rounded mix of people who pioneered this area and those who have only recently arrived; some who know the wonders of this area very well and others who are only now experiencing for themselves the benefits of living here! I am excited to see the diversity and inclusion in our community, and hope that continues to grow. I am also pleased that we are continuing to build relationships with the indigenous people of this region.
With the imminent growth of this area, we must ensure that we are prepared for the impact upon our city and community. We need to establish a clear vision and definitive plan for the future. We need to know where and how any and all proposed development fits in with our community development plan. Housing starts, business proposals, industry expansion, schools, etc. all need to fit into an overall picture of what we want our community to look like in the future. City and country must continue to reside next to each other and be considerate of each other as good neighbours.
We must ensure that our infrastructure is not only maintained, but strengthened and expanded to facilitate future growth in our area. And we need to work toward a downtown core that is safe, beautiful, and inviting to everyone.
My vision for Fort St. John is that it would be a great place for people to flourish and grow, to prosper, to learn, to make good friends, to raise a family; a safe place; a community of socially responsible citizens who respect each other and care for the world around them.
I hope that we can continue to build upon our strategic partnerships with organizations and businesses, taking advantage of our diverse resources, skills and knowledge.
I love the fact that Fort St. John is made up of a well-rounded mix of people who pioneered this area and those who have only recently arrived; some who know the wonders of this area very well and others who are only now experiencing for themselves the benefits of living here! I am excited to see the diversity and inclusion in our community, and hope that continues to grow. I am also pleased that we are continuing to build relationships with the indigenous people of this region.
With the imminent growth of this area, we must ensure that we are prepared for the impact upon our city and community. We need to establish a clear vision and definitive plan for the future. We need to know where and how any and all proposed development fits in with our community development plan. Housing starts, business proposals, industry expansion, schools, etc. all need to fit into an overall picture of what we want our community to look like in the future. City and country must continue to reside next to each other and be considerate of each other as good neighbours.
We must ensure that our infrastructure is not only maintained, but strengthened and expanded to facilitate future growth in our area. And we need to work toward a downtown core that is safe, beautiful, and inviting to everyone.
My vision for Fort St. John is that it would be a great place for people to flourish and grow, to prosper, to learn, to make good friends, to raise a family; a safe place; a community of socially responsible citizens who respect each other and care for the world around them.
I hope that we can continue to build upon our strategic partnerships with organizations and businesses, taking advantage of our diverse resources, skills and knowledge.
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Arts, Culture, and Recreation continue to be an important part of our community life, and must be encouraged to expand and grow in scope and scale.
We need to do all we can to encourage healthy living and exercise. I appreciate the walking trails that have been put in place for us, and look forward to an even larger network of trails in the future. And in addition, the walking track at the Pomeroy Sport Centre is a wonderful asset, making it a pleasure to walk no matter what the weather is like. We must ensure that we plan for and provide adequate health care to our residents and offer the social services that people require to live healthy and well. Our emergency services must also be maintained and adequately supported for the sake of our safety and protection. And although we are one of the youngest communities in Canada, we have a responsibility to care for our growing seniors population as best we can. |
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I am so pleased that, from far and wide, the City of Fort St. John continues to receive the recognition and respect it deserves. Each one of us, who live here, can promote that recognition by recognizing the benefits of living in this area, and taking pride in our community. We also need to be out spreading the clear and convincing message to our province and beyond, that our community is one that hosts unlimited business opportunities, offers great services and amenities, affords exciting entertainment and recreation options, and has excellent schools that provide an incredibly innovative and creative learning environment for our children.
No one likes to pay taxes, but as John Coleman said in his address to the Detroit Chamber of Commerce in 1956, "what the government gives, it must first take away." The issue is not whether or not there will be taxes, but rather the assurance that our taxes are fair and equitable, and a confidence that our city leaders will ensure that they are good stewards of the funds collected and spend within our means, using those moneys wisely, with forethought and planning, to provide the services and amenities that make our city a great place to live and work.
No one likes to pay taxes, but as John Coleman said in his address to the Detroit Chamber of Commerce in 1956, "what the government gives, it must first take away." The issue is not whether or not there will be taxes, but rather the assurance that our taxes are fair and equitable, and a confidence that our city leaders will ensure that they are good stewards of the funds collected and spend within our means, using those moneys wisely, with forethought and planning, to provide the services and amenities that make our city a great place to live and work.
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