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With the municipal elections approaching, I have been reflecting back to the last time we had them. I was 20 & advised to vote to bring the youth vote up. I unwittingly checked boxes for candidates without knowing what their campaign was or where they stood on local issues. I picked familiar names that I saw on picket signs by sidewalks or overheard other people mentioning. At 25, having voted in various elections since, I now realize the importance of voting. This is our opportunity to be heard and have a say in how our community is governed for our current and future sustainability.

(This piece also appears in November's Valley Voice)

When out of town friends tell me they are thinking of moving to the Cowichan Valley I have two competing reactions. First, I’m proud to live in such a great place that others want to come to. Then I worry that it’s probably not just my friends, but a lot of people, and that we’re not ready for that.

Back in the mid sixties at Mt. Douglas High School our teachers had some required reading for us that included George Orwell’s “1984” and Ray Bradbury’s “Fahrenheit 451”.  They did not think the future described in these books was desirable and wanted to make sure our generation was aware of the dangers they portrayed.