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Council candidate: Ken Vanderhoek running in District of Kent

District of Kent: Vanderhoek, Ken - Councillor Candidate
16373agassizKenVanderhoek
Ken Vanderhoek

My Name is Ken Vanderhoek.  I am running for a seat on council in the upcoming election.  Having lived in our community my entire life has defined who I am and what I stand for.  I was raised on our family owned dairy farm and later became a partner in it till the age of 30.  The next 20 years saw me operating the delivery section of Pioneer Fuels here in Agassiz.  With a keen entrepreneurial  spirit, I became self-employed 5 years ago by launching a successful home-based custom woodworking/home reno, repair business, which I still operate today.  It has made me fully aware of the challenges that businesses face.

The following are my main objectives if elected into office November 15, 2014.

Government with transparency

-council meetings are for discussing the public's issues in a public forum.

-Referring matters back to staff over and over again (without direction) is self defeating.

-In camera meetings (behind closed doors) are for discussing matters of legal service delivery, land and labour only.  They are not for the councils conveinence.

Budgetary Responsibility

-Council deals with OUR tax dollars.  Although staff and council must deal with many complicated, legal and technical issues, common sense must play a larger role in their decision making process.

Management

-Our Staff is responsible for the daily operations of our community.  They must be guided and managed by council.  That is the councils job.

Long Term Goals

Although we live in what many would consider to be a small community we are growing very quickly.  We will need infrastructure in place to support it.  We have many land, traffic and development issues that will need to be dealt with.

Having a keen interest in local politics and a strong desire to serve my community on council, I began going to council meetings on a fairly regular basis a year and a half ago.  Learning the process of local government was my goal.  Many times after leaving a council meeting I felt frustrated.  Today I feel very compelled to make changes that reflect the wishes and needs of the community.

I am a single parent of 2 adult children, Brent and Tamara who also call Agassiz Home.  I am a family man with strong family values and a strong sense of community.  My history of community service include the local fire department, Lions Club, and Citizens Patrol.  Currently I am a member of the Citizens Advisory Committee, a role I have had for 5 years.

Council must be YOU`RE VOICE.  If you are looking for someone with a new voice, who will work with enthusiasum, passion and renewed energy, please give me the priviledge and honour of representing you.

Phone: 604-819-9915

email: kenssawdustshop@gmail.com