Texada Critical Advocacy Issues

For years I’ve been hearing Texadans voice their concerns regarding our community. I’m calling these “Texada critical advocacy issues,” listed below in no particular order. As Texada Director I will advocate relentlessly to address these issues. This is a partial list; more will be forthcoming in this space as new issues are brought forth by Texadans.

WATERSHED POLLUTION: We must end rampant dumping of household waste, construction waste and toxic waste in Texada’s forest and watersheds — diversion to proper disposal is critical

AIRPORT EXPANSION: End the multi-million-dollar qRD-driven expansion of Texada Airport; Texadans can run the airport better and cheaper to benefit the entire community

UNDERFUNDED TEXADA RESCUE/FIRST RESPONDERS: Help! Texada Rescue/First Responders are being utterly starved for funding by qRD, with life-and-death implications for Texadans and visitors who rely on this service in emergencies

COMMUNITY GROUP FUNDING: Create an opportunity for stronger community ties through consistent and fair funding of Texada volunteer groups that add so much to our quality of life

LOCAL CONTROL OF qRD FACILILTIES: Get cost-effective, more responsive service by Texadans taking over maintenance of qRD’s buildings and grounds on Texada

REALISTIC EMERGENCY PLANS: We need realistic community-based emergency planning, including a practical new wildfire evacuation plan

FOOD SECURITY AND SOVERIGNTY: Take action to reduce our island’s vulnerability to food supply-chain shortages and unaffordable food prices by supporting Texada Agriculture Group’s forthcoming Full Pantry Initiative

LOSS OF ESSENTIAL SERVICES: Prevent potential further loss of essential services — first the Gillies Bay post office, then our doctor, then???

OVERDUE ROAD REPAIRS: Get essential road repairs done, like replacing badly decayed culverts — so far this work has been delayed indefinitely by the province with no explanation

HUNTING SAFETY: Work with the Texada Policing & Public Safety Committee to promote better public understanding and enforcement of hunting regulations on Texada

PROPERTY TAX REDUCTION: Push qRD Board of Directors to cap regional district property taxes and begin reducing qRD bureaucracy, eventually lowering and stabilizing property taxes

GO TINSHS! Support affordable seniors’ housing on Texada because someday many of us might need it

HOUSING COOPERATIVES: Collaborate with First Credit Union to foster independent small-scale housing cooperatives in support of affordable long-term housing for all Texadans

TEXADA TAXI: Develop a proposal for an affordable, non-profit, community-based taxi service on Texada

EMILY LAKE PARK EXPANSION: Get the province to approve Emily Lake Park expansion — this has been held up for years. Time to get it done.

DANGEROUS DOGS: I love dogs. But when a dog acts aggressively toward other dogs or against people, the usual cause is not the dog — it’s the dog owner’s neglect and lack of responsibility for keeping control of their dog. We do NOT need a bylaw on this, but we DO need an appropriate community response. The problem is real, but our community can solve it.

What are your Texada issues? Contact Tom at:

email: ravenbaywoods@gmail.com
cell/text: 604-414-9998
Facebook: private message to Tom Read