A man running for Mayor this year wants to help make Grand Forks become BC’s biggest neighbourhood. Gary Smith says he learned a lot during his time on council, but after not being re-elected last term he set his sites to better serving his community.
Smith explains how he did that. “I started with the Phoenix Foundation, essentially took over as it’s President and availed myself of all sorts of learning opportunities through them like art of hosting and some learning labs and a bunch of stuff about building community, and so now what I’d like to do is transition those skills into the position of Mayor”.
He explains the purpose of Community Conversations held through the Phoenix Foundation. “To get people around talking together, people who wouldn’t normally have conversations together, but talking about key topics that are of concern in our community. Demonstrating the dialog is respectful, dignified, valued, and that everyone is an expert in their own respect. That’s how we get engagement, that’s how we engage community and that’s how we build it.”
He adds he’d like to see conversation open up more in the community but not so much through social media.
Smith talks about his campaign. “We have businesses and community groups who if you could liken it to an agricultural metaphor some are good at growing carrots, some at lettuce, some at radishes, some struggle at growing beets or peas, the role I believe of council and the city in general is to enrich the soil so that anyone who comes here has a better opportunity and better chance to be fruitful.”
He adds people need to buy in more to the future they want, and it doesn’t have to be council’s sole responsibility. He also believes constantly garnering the public’s opinions and values are key to making appropriate decisions.