Gerda Peachey is putting her name forward for the Abbotsford mayoralty race this fall, saying she has no illusions that she can beat incumbent Mayor George Peary, but knowing her voice will be heard.
“It’s an opportunity to raise issues that I think are important,” said Peachey.
She wants to have her say about a proposed P3 water system to deliver water to the city. While she concedes that the private sector generally operates more efficiently than government, she says water is too important to allow business involvement.
“What do the poor do, when you jack the price of water up?” Peachey asks.
Peachey would like to see the city bylaws department do a better job of enforcement, particularly with illegal suites and housing on agricultural lands.
She would like to see more morality in the city administration, saying “Using Tradex for that filthy sex show is morally reprehensible.”
Peachey is critical of Peary’s style on council.
“He treats council members like he’s the principal and they’re students,” she said.
She adds that decisions appear to have already been made away from the council table, or prior to public meetings being held, with councillors “rubber stamping” staff recommendations.
“I’m not delusional, I know I am not competition for the guy, but I wish there was an alternative,” she said.
“I’m not even a mosquito on the hide of George Peary. But my goal is to become a mosquito on the hide of George Peary.”
Peachey is a former banker and business owner. She is a grandmother, and has been a community activist. She enjoys politics, and takes university courses on history and political science.
“If there’s one thing my life could accomplish, it’s to encourage people to become engaged,” she said.