Name: Rick Barkwell
Party affiliation (if any):
Education: College, Industry related
Occupation: Financial Advisor, Raymond James
Previous political experience:none
Residency (city/neighbourhood): Abbotsford/ McMillan
Community involvement: Abbotsford-Sumas Rotary, AMHA, Campus of Care
Marital status/children: three children
Email: rick@rickbarkwellforabby.ca
Social media: www.rickbarkwellforabby.ca
What do you feel are the three key issues Abbotsford voters should be considering in this civic election?
1. Job creation/retention
2. business attraction
3. development
What's your plan to deal with homelessness in Abbotsford?
work with the new coordinator to liaison with local charities and service groups as well as provincial counterparts to move quickly to get low barrier housing open. Ensure that the at risk persons are monitored and kept in a safe environment to assist with their reintegration into the community.
How would you make city hall more accountable and transparent?
More work needs to be done to make it easier for development and building permits to be obtained, the process needs to be streamlined further. Residents and businesses should expect permits for plans that comply to bylaws to be issued in a timely manner, less than 30 days.
Are changes required in local municipal spending? If so, what are they and how would you address them?
Spending should be held to approved budgets only. In situations of emergency should be the only reason to go over budget- in any department of city hall- we can't rob one to pay for another. Debt reduction should be increased yearly as much as possible while holding expenses in check. This low interest environment will not last and we need to pay down our debt quickly.