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Meet Quesnel’s Mayoral candidates

(Editors note:  We have made several attempts to contact candidate David W. Schile but he has so far not responded. This story will be updated when he does)
Question 1: Please provide a brief Bio of yourself.
Ron Paull
I was just five when my family emigrated from England. Next to marrying Pat, (in Shiraoi, Japan, BTW), coming to Canada was the best thing that ever happened to me !  A happy and wholesome childhood on the family farm in Fort St. John prepared me right for life ahead. After a hitch in the RCAF, I stopped in Quesnel as a visitor in 1970, and never left!  I sold ads for the Observer, then a 24-year career in senior management at Town/City Hall, then 20 years as publisher of local visitors guides, and now 17 years as senior (and lowest paid) Councillor. I am addicted to community service and love our North Cariboo outdoors, especially sledding and fishing!
Bob Simpson
I was born in Glasgow, Scotland and my parents immigrated to Winnipeg, Manitoba in 1967. I first came to BC when I was posted to the HMCS MacKenzie (a destroyer escort), based out of Esquimalt. I have two degrees from the University of Victoria and originally moved to Quesnel to teach high school science. I left teaching to start my own consulting and retail businesses and worked for Weldwood as a Corporate Manager for Organizational Change and Leadership Development for nine years before running for provincial politics; winning two elections as the MLA for Cariboo North. I’ve been Quesnel’s Mayor since 2014.
Brian Waters
I live life with a Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI).  I broke my neck, broke my back, and broke both ankles, not on the same day.  I do things for myself because I have to.  I have to force myself to risk possible overdose by buying Dilaudid on the street because medical has written me off for digging up the cure for cancer.  Medical sees me as COVID.0.
Quesnel 2: Why are you running for Mayor of Quesnel and what makes you the best candidate for the job ?
Ron Paull
This is my fourth run for mayor, with all campaigns focused on “spending”, which has not changed, except the issue of “housing” at all levels is now up there at the top. On spending, my campaign slogan was always to “sort the fluff from the stuff”, such as the gold pan move and the million dollars for signs. In this four-year term alone, I voted against more motions than any of my council colleagues, and virtually all of those motions were money motions, including voting in opposition to two budgets. Too much fluff!
Bob Simpson
I’ve had the privilege of providing leadership to Council and to the City for the past eight, very challenging years. Working with two successive Councils we have, primarily by unanimous votes, transformed Quesnel into a more modern, vibrant, and interesting community that is attracting more visitors, residents, and investment. I believe we must maintain our momentum and continue to build a community that meets and exceeds the expectations of today’s generation of workers and residents. That’s the kind of change leadership I believe I’ve demonstrated over the past eight years and would continue to provide to the community for the next term.
Brian Waters
I am running for Mayor to bring positive change as I have developed peace in a Prototype-Magnetic propulsion.  We have a working modification of fossil fuel to electric vehicle conversion which does not take 14 automotive batteries, just 1 12v DC car battery, the alternator, a 120 220VAC AC electric motor, and an 18 VDC electric motor as the startup allows the alternator to build the power to generate the 12 VDC the inverter requires.  It is a low-cost convert estimated at around $900 versus a $60,000 conversion.   This prototype technically should be enough to drag groceries and supplies down the highway until something better comes.
Our Primary prototype (UFO,magnetic propulsion) will take 5+ years to develop.  The prototype starts to self-excite based on the magnet’s positioning yet gets hung up on another magnet on the lower platform.  If I want anything done right, Mayor is power to present change.  Dragging power washed down river daily, feeding the community “free electricity” and selling the excess power back to BC Hydro.
Question 3: How would you address the homelessness and social crisis in Quesnel ?.
Ron Paull
I must admit, I wish I had the answers to the homelessness / social crisis. I do know that when elected mayor, (yes, I’m optimistic), I will relentlessly pursue ideas and answers by reaching out to local government colleagues in other communities, as most are struggling with this. I’d convene a round-table of local stakeholders and persons affected at all levels to take our quest for answers further. I see the Union of BC Municipalities and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities as valuable resources. Supportive housing is not so much a mandate for BC Housing as it is for BC Health, Northern Health and BC Housing TOGETHER. They should move ahead, under formal collaborative partnership, consulting with the community along the way. Before rather than after the fact is very important! I do not think supportive housing and all the baggage it brings should jeopardize the peace, enjoyment and safety of the very people and businesses that are footing the bill.
Bob Simpson
Homelessness (and the associated mental health and addictions challenges we’re confronted with) is impacting every community. Quesnel’s social challenges are not unique and there are no simple solutions. This fall, we’ve begun to take a new and more proactive approach to mapping out and finding more creative solutions to these very difficult social problems. The elected leadership of the four first nations that have historical and territorial roots in Quesnel and the Mayor will lead a process to develop a new community-based approach to improve mental health and addictions services in our community and create a community-based housing strategy that will meet the actual needs of those who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. This community-based plan will inform future BC Housing investments, get to the root issues that are creating this situation, and improve community safety.
Brian Waters
The adjacent property to Seasons House, the parking lot with a historical building, and get BC Housing involved.  Get BC Housing to purchase the property to build around the historical building, tear down the current Seasons House, build a new establishment using the newly purchased adjacent parking lot property and include a new Detox facility for anyone who wants to even stop smoking cigarettes.  Employ properly trained workers for a positive approach. Temporarily move patrons at Seasons House over to the Grace Inn until the new establishment is opened.
Question 4..What are the other pressing issues in Quesnel and how could you improve the situation?
Ron Paull
My campaign raises over twenty issues of concern. Too many issues, too little space here to address properly. My mail-out brochure, Facebook page and interactive website www.ronpaull.ca cover all those issues, and I’d be happy to personally address any question on any issue, at any time.
Bob Simpson
Improving public safety throughout the community is a high priority for Council, while we’ve added more RCMP and more Bylaw resources, the court system is failing us. We’ll continue to work with the Province to get improvements to this system, particularly with respect to prolific offenders. However, the key issue in this election is whether or not Quesnel has the leadership needed to maintain the momentum we’ve gained over the past two terms of Council: on housing, on strategic investments (we’ve obtained over $50 million in grant investments over the past 8 years), and on marketing our community to attract today’s workforce and investors.
Brian Waters
I will take a pay cut just to rehire those who worked for the City of Quesnel who lost their jobs being victimized by COVID.  I was never vaccinated.
I’d like to use the old QSS grounds as a community garden so our elders, grannies and grandpas, can garden as happy citizens.  I’d like to look at the bypass, see where the highway is to run, and who’s property it is going to travel near.  The bypass would save freight from having to gear jam.  I’d inquire about airlifting the Gold Pan back to where it originated, and replace it with a mock logging truck to fill the empty space.  Placing a mock logging truck and possible loader might look better.
Question 5:  Any final thoughts on any topic that you would like to share?
Ron Paull
After hanging around City Hall in various capacities for fifty years, I’ve still got gas in my tank! And, without reservation, this is by far our most critical election ever. I applaud and congratulate ALL candidates for stepping up in these very challenging times, especially the “newbies”. And let’s celebrate and be thankful for the freedoms we are blessed with by getting out to vote! After all, it’s in our nature!
Bob Simpson
I empathize with those in our community who struggle with what they feel are the dramatic changes Council has initiated over the past two terms. But change is not an option, if we are to remain a resilient and sustainable community.
Brian Waters
I live the life of a person who suffers daily Traumatic Brain Injury. I try not to argue with people, we shouldn’t hate one another.  I am trying to make something out of nothing, keeping my presence available.
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