Community People Profiles for Elections is a series on the Salt Spring Exchange featuring local personalities on our dynamic Gulf Island who are running for elected office. Our People Profiles are short interviews, with one answer questions to share with you a little about what each of the people we will feature are thinking about as they run their respective election campaigns. This profile is for Mary Lynn Hetherington, who is running for a position as a Salt Spring Fire Board Trustee.

Here's a little bit about Mary Lynn:

Since arriving on SSI in January of 2001, as well as being a full-time registered nurse, I have owned two businesses ( Willies Cottage Gallery and Salt Spring Island Jams, Jellies and Preserves), raised a beautiful daughter who has recently graduated from GISS on the Honour Roll and have been very active in my community. I am A member and past Organist of Order of the Eastern Star, a member and past Board member of Legion Br. 92, a past Board Member of Croftenbrook, a member of Salt Spring Island Lions Club ( I run the SSI Facebook Page). Current Organist/Pianist for Salt Spring Island Baptist Church, Pianist for 16 years at Lady Minto ECU Church Service- 1st for Community Gospel and now the Baptist Church. In 2004 Dave Vollarth, Donnie McDougall, SSI Legion Band, Devon Banman and myself produced a Christmas Album with all proceeds going to Harvard University for Cancer Research. My biggest commitment has been to collect as much food from various island stores to give the needy and homeless a home style cooked meal every Sunday afternoon for 10 years this coming February.

What brought you to the area?

In the Spring of 1999, I lost my Husband, the Love of my life to cancer. I instantly became a single Registered Nurse and mom with a three year old toddler. In our Bank Vault I found a letter from my late husband asking for our child to be raised on the West Coast. I came out to BC in the summer of 2000. I had taken a course in Photography at UN of Toronto with the Toronto Camera Club, and Robert Bateman and wanted to see his beloved Gulf Islands. Image my delight when a awesome dream became true. There was a hospital on Salt Spring and the DON needed RN's immediately. I returned home to Ontario, sold my house and started at Lady Minto Sept.15th,2001, continuing my career in ER nursing. Brianne and I found paradise.

What one thing about Salt Spring would you tell someone who has never visited the island?

I would tell them that besides the obvious beauty, peace and tranquility, there is an diverse multitude of extremely intelligent and highly competent people who make up it's population.

If you had a magic Salt Spring wand, what island thing would you change?

If we had money??? I would zap into being Re-opening of the OR at Lady Minto and new Fire Hall.

Which well known person, living or dead, do you think would be a good addition to the island?

I think anyone I would wish for already lives here! Lol . Valdy, Bill Henderson, etc. except maybe The Honourable Elizabeth May

Which elected position are you seeking?

Salt Spring Fire Trustee

Why should Salt Springers vote for you?

I am a Registered Nurse. From Ambulance Doctor/Nurse Transport to Emergency Room Nurse, I have been part of the Emergency Team. Our Nurses, Doctors, Firefighters, Ambulance, Police . I am very aware of the daily struggles of our first responders. I did my Nursing Practicum on the Burn Unit at the Hamilton General. We are just now recognizing the toll of PSTD. PTSD is a growing concern that can affect anyone, at any time. "I am totally devoted to keeping all our first responders safe. Someone on the board needs to understand totally the sacrifice that our firefighters give us and how we can support that safety within the financial restraints we have been given.

Our first duty as trustees is to keep both the public safe, and our firefighters safe. I am passionate about this. It will take give and take on both sides, but with will, honesty, and integrity we as a board can do it.

We have a number of urgent duties coming up that will take great integrity and skill.

1) setting up a Human Resource/ Legal Negotiating team to access the needs of a new collective agreement, getting, compiling and making recommendations based on Collective Agreements in other Jurisdictions. If at all possible the new contract should be dealt with using a Professional Negotiating Team.

2) we need to revisit the need of whether to expand one of our existing Firehalls , build a fiscally responsible Firehall, or stay status quo.

3) Water issues and increasing dry summers are going to tax fire fighting limits and provide the necessary fuel for increased fire risk.

4) constant transparent consultation and feedback from The Firefighters, The Board and the Rate Payers. Bring community back into the whole system.

I believe that with my background I can help bring some interesting ideas to the table.

My work history-(Bio/ Credentials) is on Salt Spring Island Fire Department Website

Is there a really good interview question we should have asked you?

Can you get along and function with a board where every one has a different opinion.

How would you have answered your question?

Yes. I have done just that since 1989.

Editor's Note: All candidates were invited to submit profiles. They are published in the order received. Check to ensure you are eligible to vote in the upcoming election. There have been recent clarifications on whom can vote in the upcoming Fire Board Election. Read all submitted candidate profiles.