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COUNCIL: Peachey, Gerda

City of Abbotsford: Peachey, Gerda - council candidate
54632abbotsfordPeachey-Gerda
Gerda Peachey

Name:    Gerda Peachey

Party affiliation (if any): .... None

Education: ..... Half-way through a Bachelor of Arts, and Two years of Horticulture at UFV

Occupation: .... Wife, Mom, Grandmother, Gardner, Prison volunteer, Musician (off-key)

Previous political experience: .. Also-ran X 4.  Have done decades of volunteer work for candidates vying for office, in Federal, Provincial and Municipal elections.  My efforts to effect change, particularly in our local government have been a wonderful, and at times difficult teacher about the real world of politics.

Residency (city/neighbourhood): Oakridge Cr.

Community involvement: .. Rich and I bring our guitars and sing hymns with the residents at seniors homes, at least once weekly.  We also hang out with fellow jammers at local coffee houses.  We've been part of both the local naturalists and the local rock and gem club for most of our years in Abbotsford.  (since 1984)

Marital status/children:  ....Married to Richard, and God blessed our lives with one wonderful daughter.

Email: gerdapeachey@gmail.com

Social media:  http://gerdapeacheysviews.wordpress.com/

What do you feel are the three key issues Abbotsford voters should be considering in this civic election?

1.  Tend to the pragmatic business of running our city, infrastructure, shared communal needs.

2.  Do not sign contracts with big business and big amusements that hurt us financially.

3. Write sensible, doable and enforceable by-laws.  Create a level playing field in Abbotsford.

What's your plan to deal with homelessness in Abbotsford?

Demand that the senior levels of government do their part.  Mental health, which is an obvious factor has to be addressed by Fraser Health. Thank the wonderful groups, and individuals who are giving of their time and money to help the helpless.  Work with them when possible, but insofar as the courts don't stand in the way, the present squalor and danger posed by spreading homeless 'camps' must not be allowed.  There are empty buildings that would be better than living in the rain and cold and danger of the streets.  No housing proposal for drug addicted folk can be set up without security staff, both for the residents, and for the neighbourhood.

How would you make city hall more accountable and transparent?

Mayor and council must refrain from unnecessary 'third-party' contracts.  The public who are held hostage to those contracts are denied access to financial details.  If business people want contracts paid out of the tax pocket, they must be told that the public is going to see where their money is going.

Too many discussions take place 'in camera', – hidden from public view.

Are changes required in local municipal spending? If so, what are they and how would you address them?

The Financial Reports reveal a long list of Consultants, who get paid some hefty amounts of our tax dollars.  It is not always obvious what these consultants did to earn so much money, and why with almost a thousand people on staff at City Hall, why we should require so much outside expertise.  The future looks worse as the current council seems determined to engage more heavily with 'third-party' economic development.