It's been a few weeks now, and I think it's time I get on the blog and see if I can spark up some dialog. So, here goes, my first post.
I would like to start with telling you a little bit about my family history. Where I came from, I think, speaks volumes about where my outlook on Delta comes from. My parents, Bruce and Carol, moved here from Ontario nearly 40 years ago. We have lived in Boundary Bay ever since. My dad was a P.E teacher in North Delta at Richardson Elementary, and over the years became a much respected Principal in numerous Tsawwassen elementary schools. My mother is a life long nurse, and spent most of her working life at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. After 'retiring' early from Children's, mum began her second working life at the Kinsmen Retirement Home in Tsawwassen. She served for many years as a shop steward and a mentor for the nurses and care aides there.
I have two older sisters and an older brother, and all of us are still living in Tsawwassen. My two sisters both followed dad into the teaching profession. Pamela Selig, my eldest sister, is a special education teacher at Cliff Drive. My other sister, Ryanne Woolford, moved back to Tsawwassen with her husband and two children 3 years ago and just recently bought their first Canadian house in Tsawwassen. My Brother, Ward, was a self employed owner/operator of a mobile staging company and did jobs from the Yukon to Oregon, from Victoria to Manitoba. He also had a specialized metal fabricating shop. A few years ago he sold that company and now works as a project manager for a sound system company.
Three year ago, I met my wonderful and supportive girlfriend while working together at B.C. Ferries. (see also; beautiful, smart, fun-loving, outgoing, and family oriented) Alexandra also grew up in Tsawwassen. She was a university student in the States, at home for the summer and working like mad to save up for the next years food and pocket money. We shared an immediate connection, and despite the thousands of kilometers between us we were inseperable. Let me just say that skype was the most used program on my computer for those two long years. For the bulk of those two years we were apart, connected only by the internet and as many trips for me to see her as I could afford (not easy to save while still being a recent homeowner and paying the mortgage myself) and Christmas and summer breaks. She has since graduated, we now live together and I love her to bits. She has been my number one supporter, and has been pushing me all the way through my campaign. I don't know if I would be here without her.
Growing up in The Bay was a pretty special place to be as a kid. I had acres upon acres of land to explore on bike and on foot. The cow fields, as they are known colloquially, because they used to actually have cows in them, were a source of endless entertainment. The large blackberry bushes and stands of trees were ideal for building forts with scrap wood a lot of creativity. A short walk and I was at Boundary Bay Elementary, where I went to school until grade 3. The boat ramp at the beach, and the beach itself, was a popular spot on the hot summer days.
But times have changed. The cows no longer roam the fields, occasionally breaking out and wandering down the street, sparking frenzied phone calls to the Spetifore farm to come shoo them back in. The fields themselves have been put out of reach, but for a portion attached to the school. The school that was closed down a couple years back.....
I am of course a product of my environment. This is the life I know, and I like it. I'm not blind to the world, I have traveled more than many people, and have seen a lot of different ways people live. I like the life we have here. I believe that one of our most valuable assets in our natural world. I have a boundless appreciation for nature, and our connection to it. With our available farmland, existing parkland and so many great citizens working tirelessly all over our community (BC Waterfowl Society @ Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Burns Bog Conservation Society, Earthwise society, Delta Agricultural Society and more) I am hopeful for a future where Delta supports these ideals as a priority. Delta could become a very green community if we choose to be. A model community for the rest of the lower mainland and Canada to be jealous of.
I was also fortunate enough to play many sports growing up, and was an active member of the Scouting movement as a member of the Sea Scouts. Delta has great park, recreation and sporting infastructure. Each community has at least one ice rink, at least one artificial turf field, with more in the works. Delta Gymnastics has expanded facilities now, the fields for baseball and softball are great in each neighbourhood. And the list goes on. These are the investments that pay off in the long run, and it's important to continue to expand on these facilities. Healthy youth grow into healthy adults, and good citizens.
So, I think that's a good start. You know more about me, and have an idea of where I am coming from and what is important to me. In the coming days, I look forward to discussing some of the issues a bit more specifically and talking about other things that come up during my campaign in the next month or so. If you have any questions or comments or anything at all, I of course encourage you to bring them forward to myself!
Bye for now.
I would like to start with telling you a little bit about my family history. Where I came from, I think, speaks volumes about where my outlook on Delta comes from. My parents, Bruce and Carol, moved here from Ontario nearly 40 years ago. We have lived in Boundary Bay ever since. My dad was a P.E teacher in North Delta at Richardson Elementary, and over the years became a much respected Principal in numerous Tsawwassen elementary schools. My mother is a life long nurse, and spent most of her working life at Children's Hospital in Vancouver. After 'retiring' early from Children's, mum began her second working life at the Kinsmen Retirement Home in Tsawwassen. She served for many years as a shop steward and a mentor for the nurses and care aides there.
I have two older sisters and an older brother, and all of us are still living in Tsawwassen. My two sisters both followed dad into the teaching profession. Pamela Selig, my eldest sister, is a special education teacher at Cliff Drive. My other sister, Ryanne Woolford, moved back to Tsawwassen with her husband and two children 3 years ago and just recently bought their first Canadian house in Tsawwassen. My Brother, Ward, was a self employed owner/operator of a mobile staging company and did jobs from the Yukon to Oregon, from Victoria to Manitoba. He also had a specialized metal fabricating shop. A few years ago he sold that company and now works as a project manager for a sound system company.
Three year ago, I met my wonderful and supportive girlfriend while working together at B.C. Ferries. (see also; beautiful, smart, fun-loving, outgoing, and family oriented) Alexandra also grew up in Tsawwassen. She was a university student in the States, at home for the summer and working like mad to save up for the next years food and pocket money. We shared an immediate connection, and despite the thousands of kilometers between us we were inseperable. Let me just say that skype was the most used program on my computer for those two long years. For the bulk of those two years we were apart, connected only by the internet and as many trips for me to see her as I could afford (not easy to save while still being a recent homeowner and paying the mortgage myself) and Christmas and summer breaks. She has since graduated, we now live together and I love her to bits. She has been my number one supporter, and has been pushing me all the way through my campaign. I don't know if I would be here without her.
Growing up in The Bay was a pretty special place to be as a kid. I had acres upon acres of land to explore on bike and on foot. The cow fields, as they are known colloquially, because they used to actually have cows in them, were a source of endless entertainment. The large blackberry bushes and stands of trees were ideal for building forts with scrap wood a lot of creativity. A short walk and I was at Boundary Bay Elementary, where I went to school until grade 3. The boat ramp at the beach, and the beach itself, was a popular spot on the hot summer days.
But times have changed. The cows no longer roam the fields, occasionally breaking out and wandering down the street, sparking frenzied phone calls to the Spetifore farm to come shoo them back in. The fields themselves have been put out of reach, but for a portion attached to the school. The school that was closed down a couple years back.....
I am of course a product of my environment. This is the life I know, and I like it. I'm not blind to the world, I have traveled more than many people, and have seen a lot of different ways people live. I like the life we have here. I believe that one of our most valuable assets in our natural world. I have a boundless appreciation for nature, and our connection to it. With our available farmland, existing parkland and so many great citizens working tirelessly all over our community (BC Waterfowl Society @ Reifel Bird Sanctuary, Burns Bog Conservation Society, Earthwise society, Delta Agricultural Society and more) I am hopeful for a future where Delta supports these ideals as a priority. Delta could become a very green community if we choose to be. A model community for the rest of the lower mainland and Canada to be jealous of.
I was also fortunate enough to play many sports growing up, and was an active member of the Scouting movement as a member of the Sea Scouts. Delta has great park, recreation and sporting infastructure. Each community has at least one ice rink, at least one artificial turf field, with more in the works. Delta Gymnastics has expanded facilities now, the fields for baseball and softball are great in each neighbourhood. And the list goes on. These are the investments that pay off in the long run, and it's important to continue to expand on these facilities. Healthy youth grow into healthy adults, and good citizens.
So, I think that's a good start. You know more about me, and have an idea of where I am coming from and what is important to me. In the coming days, I look forward to discussing some of the issues a bit more specifically and talking about other things that come up during my campaign in the next month or so. If you have any questions or comments or anything at all, I of course encourage you to bring them forward to myself!
Bye for now.
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