Born in Kitchener, Ontario, I moved to Calgary after college and worked in the architectural industry for 13 years before My wife Kathleen, son Blaine, daughter Ellen, and I moved to Invermere.

We chose Invermere because it seemed like the right place to raise a family and it is. Over the last 17 years I have worked for a local architect; managed development projects for Panorama; and currently work for Quiniscoe Homes, managing the building of custom homes. I have also had the opportunity to coach both of my kids in their many team sports; was part of the volunteer team that initiated and built the community greenhouse; and volunteered for community groups like the Imagine Invermere sustainability committee and the Community Energy and Emissions Plan committee.

My platform

Economy – The economy is on the minds of most people I talk to, so I will focus on three things. Firstly, we need to direct our attention to local businesses and organizations, which have a lot invested in our community and deserve our support. A lot of the money spent here, stays here, and this is what drives our local economy.  The more we buy locally, the more resilient our community will be. Secondly, we need to pursue employment diversification in and around Invermere. Most people are employed by two major industries. I will pursue ways to encourage diversification in the types of employers who choose to do business in the valley. Thirdly, in a slower economy like we are in now, we need to be very careful as to where we spend your tax dollars.

Community – We seem to be experiencing a temporary lowering of the cost of housing in the valley … but let’s not get distracted by this and lose sight of the affordable housing ball. We also need to continue supporting the key community organizations in the valley that make Invermere the caring community we love and enjoy. Also, I would love to see more events that promote the arts and cultural scene, as well as celebrating the seasons.

Sustainability – This is what it is all about for me. We need to plan for Invermere to be a great place to live, work, and play – today, tomorrow, and on into the future. We need to make decisions so that future generations can enjoy as many, if not more opportunities as we do now, and these decisions should consider the economy, the community, and the environment.

My attributes

My architectural background gives me great understanding of the built world; my development experience has given me the opportunity to experience how large developers think; my management positions have given me the opportunity to work with many people in many different situations; my work locally has helped me understand the importance of the small business in Invermere; and my children have given me a reason to be passionate about ensuring that Invermere’s future is a bright one.

My lifetime of experiences will make me an important team member on council.  As a member of this team, I will be the “Big Picture” guy, and I will make my decisions with the future in mind.

By Dale Wilker – for e-KNOW

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