By Tom Mark

Don Jefcoat To Run For Vernon Council

Apr 3, 2018 | 6:08 AM

The first person to jump into the Civic election race this fall is Don Jefcoat.

Jefcoat tells CJIB News he will be running for a councillor position in the October 20th vote.

He most recently ran as a Libertarian in the provincial election last Spring.

Jefcoat says the foundation of his campaign is to see a community that is growing, a council with fiscal restraint and accountability, open, transparent and engaged, one that looks to wards the future and not living in the past.

Following is his statement announcing his candidacy.

Employee Safety

Employers responsible for worker safety as heat wave hits Okanagan: WorksSafeBC

13h ago

mid- to high 30s

Cooling centres opening in Vernon as heat wave hits the Okanagan

13h ago

Firearm Charges, Vehicle Impounded

Weapon seized from impaired driver asleep in Lumby

15h ago

The foundation of my campaign is to see a community that is growing, a council with fiscal restraint and accountability, a council that is open, transparent and engaged. A council that looks towards the future and not living in the past.

We need to look at ways for people to feel safe and connected in our community. People are afraid to go to their park, they are afraid to go to their downtown, they are afraid to just walk down the street. My vision is to regain our safe community. To see communities that are flourishing with households of all demographics. Where the kids are playing at the local parks, Families are having picnics, Grandparents are out for a stroll or a jog. Where the criminal element is pushed out.

We need to continue to see more multifamily developments. New businesses. and a city that is willing to go from being farm town sleepy hollow to an active growing place. We need Vernon to be on top of recreation development, infrastructure development, and transit options. I will platform on encouraging growth, and economic development. How we can use these to attract recreational services.

As a councillor it would be my vision to see a council that uses social media to engage conversation with the constituents. To have more online consultations, have more mutual dialogue on issues rather then just the traditional “Talk to point of order” council currently uses in consultation. Lets give the people their voice. I will support the idea Scott Anderson presented a few years ago in regards to Town Hall meetings. I would present the notion that council could be aired live.

As a councillor I will look at as many angles to an issue as possible. To make informed decisions. Not just what will make people feel all warm and cuddly but that has the best interest of Vernon in mind. I will not vote for or against a bill because my colleagues are, staff recommends it, or the 12 people that showed up at the information session said they liked/opposed it. I will look at the issue from the sidelines taking in all feed back received into account. I wont promise to that my choices will be favorable by all but I will give as appropriate public account for why I voted in a particular manner.

When it comes to budgets I wont vote for a budget I don’t like. It is my intent to see taxes stay the same or even better drop. I don’t believe the any of the past raises in this past term needed to occur. I have this opinion that if you want to see a projects cost sky rocket just let the government administer it. I will be a genuine financial watch dog. There should never be cost overruns, deficiencies, or excessive contracts. The amount of an excepted bid is what the taxpayers should pay.

The day nomination papers can be filed I will be filing my papers. I have people that are willing to sign my nomination papers. One thing people will not see around town are the “Vote for Don” signs. I view that as a waste of money and ugly. I think any person who posts those signs show they will waste the tax dollars. I am also not running with any slate. We need to keep party like politics out the council chambers. Any candidate who runs on a slate is telling the voters their interests don’t matter. I will agree to work with my fellow councillors in as far as the voters dictate to me. When I am in that seat my sole directive comes from the people of the city and never from others from a slate. There will be times when I will support my fellow councillors and there will be times when I will be in opposition to them but I will always have a free vote on all issues.

If people want to follow my run I have set up a Facebook page or they can email me at donald.jefcoat@gmail.com

https://www.facebook.com/Don-Jefcoat-for-Council-2099947033622328/

by Tom Mark