Maybe three years ago, community member and advocate Christian Tatonetti highlighted the lack of parking barriers at the Cusheon Lake parking area. Cars could roll directly into the gathering area at the base of the lot; he was asking for help. I had just become a new LCC commissioner, and knowing that we stewarded this lake access, I connected with our staff to see what could be done. Initially, there were some … barriers to making this happen, which made it tough for Christian’s request to be taken more seriously. Through a few communications and some patience, these small but mighty curbs were installed, and this lake access became much safer.

This small but important change was all thanks to the keen eye of a considerate community member, the consistent, calm communication from an elected person, and the attention and commitment of our local CRD staff and management. Every time I drive by this lake access, I look at these little curbs, and I remember how good it felt to get that email telling me they had been installed. I took a picture of them and sent it to Christian: “We did it!”

I always hold this story up in my mind as the exact sort of impact I had hoped to have as an LCC commissioner. I said it before, and I will continue to say it: Elected people should hold the door open for community members so they can affect their local government. I will be running for LCC Commissioner again in October, and I hope I can continue to be a conduit for the community to speak through in the future so that this small but vocal island has their chance to be heard and listened to.