Sparwood resident Bev Bellina is running for the District of Sparwood’s mayoral position as well as School Trustee of Electoral Area 2.
Having run for mayor two times prior and served on council for nine years as well as acted simultaneously as councillor and school trustee, Bellina knows what is important to the community.
“My platform is unity in the community,” said Bellina. “Your seniors and your children are the soul of a community and you have to look after them. Having been a school trustee I felt a disconnect from the school and the business of being an active part of the community and I want to combine them both.”
Bellina notes that she’s an excellent liaison person “because [she’s] done the work” and would look forward to serving the community.
“I would really appreciate being elected and to serve in this capacity,” said Bellina. “I think it’s time and you have to put what you have to offer on the table. I would be a valuable asset and I know that but it’s also going to be a lot of work. But I want to do that work.”
Bellina said that if she were to be re-elected she wants to focus on long-term and stable financial planning for the future.
“We’ve got 13 people running for council so you have no idea who’s going to be at the table,” explained Bellina, “but everybody has to get along and once we get the egos out of the way I want to sit down and develop a good strategic plan. Figure out what we’re committed to paying out and what’s left over for things that we would like to do and to define those.”
Bellina also wants to take a closer look at what she described as “the hidden poverty issue” in Sparwood.
“There’s an unseen poverty population here,” said Bellina, “I have seen this and I have been saddened by it when I’ve canvassed. There are people who don’t have heat or the necessities they should have and they’re hidden. I’d like to see us have a committee that addresses that.”