This is the second set of responses of three Qs to be sent to all of the Salmon Arm council candidates. All 3 Q&As will be posted before the first Advance Poll on Oct 7th. Check back for Q3 on candidates’ responses re Are you actually eligible to vote in our Salmon Arm local election by being either a qualified resident of Salmon Arm (resident elector) or registered owner of real property in Salmon Arm (non-resident property elector)? Due Oct 1st at Noon and posted up asap after that.
Q2 Context: There are many scheduled meetings that require regular attendance and involve decision-making. Regular Council, Planning, Special & Budget Council meetings, half & full day in-service on legal & financial responsibilities (especially for new politicos), policy conferences and a number of internal city committees and external tables that you will be appointed to. You will also be the Deputy Mayor on a 3-month rotating basis. These meetings usually take place during regular office working hours due to a host of internal and external constraints in scheduling.
Q2 Question: Do you have a significant degree of control and flexibility over your own weekly schedule so that you can fully participate in the many meetings required? If you have responsibilities to an employer or commitments with other outside endeavours, do you already have in place a flexible approved Leave of Absence plan from your employer that will permit you to fulfill your municipal responsibilities?
Click on Continue Reading just below for the Q2 responses!
| Council Candidate | Response |
| Drayson Netzelwood | Thanks for this question. I have 100% control over my weekly schedule. Of course, I do have other endeavours and commitments but those are also under my control. |
| Anthony McLean | Yes, I have flexibility. I am the owner of my businesses so I’m able to make my own schedule. This shows I would be committed to the time constraints of being a Councillor. |
| Shelley Desautels | Yes. As a business owner, I have the ability to set my own schedule, and my other commitments are also flexible. I understand that Council requires a significant time commitment, and I am in a position to adjust my schedule as needed to make those responsibilities a priority. |
| Ian Gray | One of the reasons the timing to represent Salmon Arm’s residence works for me personally is the fact that I retired from my 34-year business career and can commit 100% of my attention and time to serving our community. |
| Robin Wiens | Yes. I am available on Monday for regular scheduled council meetings as well as having flexibility for other meetings. Prior to making a final decision to run, I had several conversations with outgoing councilors about time commitment. I am confident in my ability to fulfill this expectation. |
| Aaron Canart | I am self-employed and in complete control over my time and energy. I can participate in the many meetings required. More importantly than just showing up at a meeting I have the time, energy, and passion to dive into financial budgets, bylaws, strategic plans for critically evaluation. |
| David Gonella | Yes, I am very fortunate to have an employer who supports my participation on council and my municipal responsibilities. Committee work was some of the most satisfying work I did on council, as it provided additional opportunities to directly contribute to issues and topics that matter to our community. |
| Kari Toliver Wilkinson | I own my own business and have significant flexibility over my schedule. I am accustomed to managing multiple meetings and commitments. Knowing Council will add another layer of responsibility, I’ve added support to my team so I can dedicate the time needed to fully participate in Council responsibilities. |
| Scott Syme | I’m fortunate to have great staff and have invested in efficiency on the farm. When I began considering City Council, I started delegating more responsibility and putting systems in place to reduce reliance on me, ensuring I have the time and flexibility to serve effectively. |
| Morgan Turland | Yes. I have flexibility in my schedule and am a strong time manager, accustomed to balancing work, education, family, and community leadership roles. I understand the commitment required and am confident in my ability to prioritize Council meetings, committee work, preparation, and community responsibilities while fully participating in the role. |
| Marianne VanBuskirk | Yes, if I am elected to Council, I will have no issue fulfilling my municipal responsibilities. I will be a Teacher-on-Call during my term, which allows me to keep certain days and nights free for Council tasks. |
| Vic Hamilton | I own my own business and as such set my own hours. I have support staff to ensure my schedule is flexible. |
| Owen Madden | YES – I work for the food business I created along with my wife Emily and am privileged to be able to set my own schedule. I consulted with current councillors on the time commitment involved and have made appropriate arrangements at home to ensure I can deliver those hours. |
| Debbie Cannon | When I was first elected 17 years ago I was able to juggle my work and family with the meetings and committees. I am retired now and know the commitment of being an elected official the meeting schedules is set a year in advance and special meetings come up. |
| Louise Wallace Richmond | Yes. When I was re-elected in 2022, I made a decision to make council work my main focus. I stepped away from sessional teaching at Okanagan College School of Business and now schedule any contract work around City Council commitments. In my experience, flexibility is key in this job. |
| Adam Meikle | I do appreciate these questions. I am self employed and I have a team which means my business runs without me. We are open Wednesday through Saturday and open at four in the afternoon. I have every day to work hard for this city. |
| River Grabowsky | I have the privilege as a self employed, unmarried person with no dependents and an affordable lifestyle to have a great degree of schedule flexibility. Pre-campaign I sought advisement from existing councillors and determined that the expected municipal responsibilities will fit well within my current calendar and capacity. |
| Jo McDermott | Yes, I have control over my own schedule. I have my own business that I run, and due to the nature of the business (Baking), I can make my own hours. In the summer I attend farmer’s markets as a vendor, but I can choose which markets to go to. |
