Why did I get involved? Issue #1 Safety and Security

October 26th, 2008

I have, as many of you know, retired from SD#34 (Abbotsford) and while spending time this past summer taking my children to swimming lessons at a local pool, I encountered a very unsettling scenario that caused me to come to this decision of running for Council.

Research in education tells us that when schools are safe and secure people will feel comfortable about being there and will be able to reach their potential in terms of their intellectual, psychological and physical growth. When they DO NOT feel safe and secure they cannot achieve as well and, in many cases, they don’t want to be there! The same research holds for larger organizations whether they be companies, teams, or cities! This leads me to my “pool experience.”

While sitting on the pool deck watching my young children swim and noting how many young moms, dads and kids were there from our community I watched 2 young men, physically strong in appearance with what I understand to be “man purses” slung across their chests, walk from the shower room around the pool deck to the weight room. After a moment or two I recognized them as being people who had just been released from jail where they had been held “for their own protection.” Apparently, according to police they were drug dealing, gun carrying individuals who were being “hunted” by others who wished to kill them! Now I became concerned that such potential targets would be in a recreational pool full of kids, moms and dads and draw those who wanted them dead to such a public place. I am awestruck at how this could happen. I am sick about both the immediate concern for people’s safety and the fact that our community has so many gangs that have literally grown up here! Where have we failed these people that they turn out like this? Have we been too lenient in the court system? Have we been too sheltered in the school system and too unaware about what was happening right under our noses every day? What about parenting, churches, athletics and a myriad of other community services… where do we start and where do we end? Where did we all go wrong and what are we willing to do about it?

Your feedback is appreciated.

Sincerely,

Dr. Bill

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A great honour

October 25th, 2008
October 25, 2008
  • It has been a great honour to reconnect with so many of you via Facebook as well as along the campaign route lately.  The well wishes and words of encouragement have moved me deeply. It is a great honour to be running for City Council in such a warm and wonderful city.
  • I believe we are at a time in Abbotsford’s history in which the city needs a new “brand.” My years in leadership have taught me that to be successful we need both a clearly stated mission, or purpose and a captivating vision.  I want to work with the people of Abbtosford to form both a purpose and a vision statement for the city.  If we collectively articulated these statements of purpose and direction, we would make this city a safer and greener place where people would want to work, live and play.  People who come to work in Abbotsford, but don’t feel welcome or attracted to live here, should see our city as a place where they would delight in living and working and playing.
  • On another note, I had a wonderful time today seeing several of you at the opening of Abbotsford Rec Centre’s new wing.  I also enjoyed seeing the opening of the Indo-Canadian Centre at UFV.  What a fantastic day for Abbotsford to open two new and needed facilities.

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