Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff - City council

 Finding the best solutions to difficult issues requires respect, open dialogue and debate. It also needs participation of residents to ensure input and feedback occurs before implementing policy. As a result, I believe I have the experience, determination and commitment to work in the best interests of all residents.

I believe in transparency and accountability at all levels of government. I challenge back room decision making and encourage more public consultation.
 
I respect the value of the tax dollar and the responsibility of ensuring that these dollars are allocated to our highest priorities/needs and not wants/desires.
 
I have lived in Castlegar since 1988 and have an extensive history of volunteering within our community from Chairing the Selkirk College Foundation Board, to President of Selkirk Challengers Gymnastics Club for 7 years to currently fundraising for Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. I have stood up and campaigned for change to our current health care system and was instrumental in saving Kinnaird Middle School (KMS) from being demolished.  I am a person that stands up for what’s right. I am that voice of Reason. A voice for the People.
 
I have no hidden agenda and I have always tried to work in the best interest of residents. At the end of the day I’m just a wife and mom with managerial and community engagement skills, who believes that for any change to occur, people need to stand up and voice their opinion when they agree or disagree on an issue. I also believe that listening is the key skill prior to takingaction. The more voices – the more consensus – the better the change.
 
Sue is married to Curtis Sherstobitoff and has two daughters – Jordan and Sydney. Sue and Curt are avid gardeners and love to landscape. She has worked at BC Hydro since 1992 and is a member of COPE 378.
 
Key issues:
 
·         Airport Lands – water and sewer expansion?
 Health Care – keep the lines of communication open
 Affordable and Accessible housing
 Infrastructure – improving our existing water and sewer system
 Transportation – safer roads, improved walking and biking paths and sidewalks
 Simplify the process for development - eliminating the red tape
 Keeping taxes low – only spend were necessary
 
Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff
 
A voice of Reason. A voice for the People.

Comments

Affordable & Accessible housing

by jec on 10 Nov 2011 at about 10:03.
Hi Sue I see you are the only candidate with housing on the radar. Would you please speak more about that? What do you see as the issues surrounding housing? How would you address these issues? Thanks for considering my questions.

Affordable & Accessible Housing

by Sue on 10 Nov 2011 at about 19:10.
Hi Jec - thanks for the question. In preparing for the election I've did some research to see what other communities were doing with regard to developing a strategy regarding affordable and accessible housing. The key seems to be that many different groups need to work together for the good of their community - from City Council, to Government (both provincial and Federal), to developers, to banks, realtors, etc. - so that all residents have safe, adequate housing they can afford. Take for instance the City of Langford - their Affordable Housing Program requires developers of new subdivisions within the City of Langford to build one affordable home for every 10 single-family lots subdivided. These affordable homes are then priced at 60% of market value. The City, partnering with CMHC, assists developers by providing free administrative support, density bonuses and streamlined development approvals as incentives. Local realtors provide services free of charge, while credit unions, mortgage brokers and insurers (including CMHC) streamline mortgage pre-approvals. The City of Langford also requires new developments to be Building Code-ready for secondary suites, contributing to density and diversity. It also created visibility requirements such as wide doorways and level entrances to accommodate people with disabilities. For every new dwelling, a $500 contribution must be made to the City's Affordable Housing Reserve Fund, which is used to fund a rent subsidy program and the construction of new subsidized units. Other opportunities are to allow densification - where you allow single family homes to be turned into apartment buildings and town houses. The city would gain more tax revenues with relatively little outlay for local services like water and sewer and residents have access to more housing opportunities. Mixed used development is another strategy that would also work as the City could explore density inside our existing footprint, allowing the mixing of compatible uses together on a smaller scale. So I think what needs to be done is City Staff (or others) need to review practices in other municapalities and benchmark current practices (if any in Castlegar) against these municipalities and work towards developing a strategy for Castlegar. Above all the City needs to facilitate community-based affordability partnerships and initiatives with the Provincial Government as well as non-profit and private housing providers, to ensure that there are various types of housing programs available for our residents - a community approach. Thanks again for the question! Sue Heaton-Sherstobitoff A voice of Reason. A voice for the People.