ALL ABOUT ME

Thank You for taking the time to look me up! I hope you like what you find, and that I earn your support in my bid for Council. I am very interested in your concerns, questions, and suggestions. You can post your comments here, or e-mail me at spring@springhealthfoods.com. I will be happy to discuss them with you.

ENVIRONMENT
I’ve lived and worked in Invermere for the past 9 years. I’ve always loved the outdoors, gardening, and living an active lifestyle, and my children and I have spent many days hiking, biking, boating, swimming and skiing in our beautiful valley. I’ve climbed Chisel Peak, kayaked the Columbia, swam Lake Lillian, biked the Spirit Trail, hiked the Bugaboos, and skied Taynton Bowl (along with many, many other adventures), and I am still awed and inspired daily by the beauty and grandeur that surrounds us in this valley. My love of life and nature has made me a strong supporter of the environment.

FAMILY
For many of those 9 years, I was a single parent, and I learned the meaning of the phrase ‘It takes a village to raise a child’. I can’t imagine a better place to bring up children. It was the love and support of the community that got us through the tough times. My experiences as a woman, raising a family on her own, have given me intimate and practical knowledge of the challenges often faced by women in our society.

BUSINESS
Since moving to Invermere, I have owned and run Spring Health Foods (formerly Mustard Seed Health Foods) to support my family. I have certainly learned a lot about running a business and being an employer! I’ve seen many changes in Invermere, and our business community. My business has also grown and changed along the way, and I have truly enjoyed every moment. Recently, we were honoured to receive a gold medal award from Kootenay Business Magazine’s ‘Best of Business’ readers’ pole. My years as an entrepreneur and employer have given me an understanding of what supports businesses need to be successful.

SUSTAINABILITY
My decision to become involved in the Organic Food and Natural Health Products industry was based on two things.
One: I grew up in a very health-conscious family. We lived on a little farm, where the milk cows, chickens, and a giant garden gave us much of our food, and the kids (me!) did much of the work! I learned to appreciate and value fresh good food, produced in a healthy, sustainable way.
Two: I lived in Saskatchewan for several years as an adult, and observed the agricultural practices most commonly used in grain production on the Canadian prairies. Some frightening personal experiences with pesticides, numerous stories told by farmers with strange illnesses, and a hands-on knowledge of the hazards of common agricultural chemicals convinced me to begin buying organic food for myself and my family. I think that our Prairies are one of the least talked about environmental disasters we have, created almost entirely by unsustainable farming. My exposure to ‘modern day’ farming helps me to understand the importance of sustainability in all aspects of our community. For example, our Heritage Gardens at Pynelogs, Eileen Madson’s school garden, the greenhouse project at DTSS are truly something to be proud of!

HEALTH & ABILITY
Several years ago, I sustained a serious spinal cord injury while doing something I loved – riding my bike. The community support shown to my family and me at the time of the accident, and during my lengthy recovery, has been nothing less then remarkable. I feel extremely lucky to live in a place where the citizens throw themselves whole-heartedly, and repeatedly, behind their neighbors in their time of need. I will always be humbled to think of the love and caring shown to us in that time, and hope that I may repay it in some small way. Since then, I have continued to live in the area and work in Invermere. Although I now use a wheelchair for mobility, I continue to run my business, enjoy my family and customers, and participate in the community. I’ve even been fortunate to get married to another (great!) long-time valley resident! My time as a ‘differently-abled’ person has given me a great awareness of social issues such as affordable, accessible housing, transportation and employment, and access to appropriate health care in Invermere.

COMMUNITY
I currently serve as President of A.C.E. (the Columbia Valley’s access committee). We work to increase awareness of people with varied abilities, promote more accessible communities for all, including the elderly and parents with young children, and support employment and education for people with disabilities. I represent A.C.E. on the Columbia Valley Transit Action Committee, a group which has been instrumental to bringing the BC Transit Community Bus to the valley, and which continues to provide input regarding schedules, routes, and augmenting the existing service. I am also an active member of the Invermere Business Committee and recently joined the Columbia Valley Chamber of Commerce.

I feel that my broad and varied experiences give me a close personal understanding of many of the community issues that Invermere is currently grappling with. I bring a balanced, caring, and responsible voice to the debate, along with my love of the people, and pride in my Community. I would like to represent you on council! Please consider me when you place your vote on November 15th!