Barry Hobbis – dedicated to his family, committed to helping others, focused on the issues
Why I am Running for City Council in November
Barry Hobbis
Every city, every taxpayer, is facing the reality of tough and uncertain economic times. For the City of Victoria it’s a growing deficit, while our municipal government shoulders more responsibility. This means we need to concentrate on the issues that matter.
The concerns of Victoria voters and taxpayers – homelessness, social issues on our streets, sewage, affordable housing, and infrastructure – must be addressed and acted upon within sustainable fiscal management. They wonder what all these will add up to: if not increased taxes, where the money will come from. Many are asking if the City is seeking to spend and borrow on projects that should be examined more carefully to see if there aren’t less expensive options.
Our downtown core precincts and village centres are not attracting new, vibrant businesses to increase employment; we want that to change. Many of our neighbourhoods and residents feel less engaged with City Hall. There Is a growing ‘ask’ from people to ensure our local government is moving in a positive, forward-thinking direction and to develop more transparent and open ways of working with and listening to the public. Our legacy should be a vibrant, engaged society; a downtown core that attracts business, residents and visitors; and municipal services that exceed the expectations of neighbourhoods and users.
I want the chance to work with the current Mayor and Council. More importantly, I will seek advice, questions and concerns from all stakeholders. I favour working openly with businesses, tax payers, and voluntary organizations to pay attention to our economy and tax-levels, to support our downtown core and village centres, and to help attract new businesses and increase employment.
I am announcing now my intention to run in the November by-election to start that conversation. I, and the campaign team, will listen to the concerns of the community. Our local government should have community involvement as its highest goal – open, accountable and transparent. My background in business, community development, and volunteer work and as an ordinary citizen tells me that there is an opportunity right now to improve our response to the economic downturn and involve Victoria’s citizens in finding the right solutions.
“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove…but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”
I have committed my life to the Platinum Rule that my Dad instilled in me… doing unto others as they would have me do unto them means I have had to listen carefully and act mindfully based on what I hear and see are the needs of others.
My Dad was a blue collar guy who had a sense of what’s right and what’s good for his family, his community and his country. My values are based on the work ethic of my Dad and strength of my Mom’s love and the influence of my community as I grew up in Victoria.
Background:
° Married with 5 children and 3 grandchildren
° Born & raised in Victoria (Oakland’s Elementary, Lansdowne Jr. High, Vic High & Mt. View High School)
° Served with the Oak Bay Police Force and Saanich Police Force
° Served as a member of the RCMP in Saskatchewan, Alberta and British Columbia
° Recruited to a legal publishing company and served as VP, Divisional Publications
° Served with the Provincial Government, project development, Ministry of Education and Provincial Capital Commission, General Manager, Crystal Garden
° Served in a consulting capacity for Cowichan First Nations
° Managing Director of Victoria Harbour Ferry
Community:
° Paul Harris Fellow with Rotary International
° Currently serving Member of the Board for
- Victoria Esquimalt Harbour Society – Past President & Board Chair
- Downtown Victoria Business Association
° Previous Board memberships
- Cowichan and District Chamber of Commerce
- Tourism Vancouver Island
- Lifetime Networks Victoria building safe and secure futures for the isolated and vulnerable
- Maritime Museum of British Columbia
- Variety the Children’s Network – Boat for Hope – Victoria Committee Chair
Currently serving Committee Member for
- Downtown Victoria Business Association – Chair – Clean & Safe Committee
Membership in
- Tourism Victoria
- Tourism Nanaimo
- Tourism Vancouver Island
- Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce
- Nanaimo Chamber of Commerce
- RCMP Veteran’s Association
 |
Buzz this! |
Loading ...