Longtime Qualicum Beach resident Dave Willie announced his intention to seek a seat on the Qualicum Beach town council.
Willie, who ran six years ago for the mayor’s chair in Qualicum Beach, said taxes are high on his list of priorities for his campaign, but they are not alone.
“I will work hard to ensure that property taxes and the cost of services are kept down,” he said. “We need to make sure that Qualicum Beach is an affordable community for all age groups.”
Willie said he also knows that water and health care are among the many important issues that the town council must continue to deal with in the next term.
“First and foremost however, we need to be absolutely sure that the high school stays in Qualicum Beach. That is my first priority,” said Willie.
That, he said, was the impetus that pushed him over the edge to run in November’s civic vote.
“What was really the big thing for me was to see the risk of losing the high school, which I consider to be a vital organ in Qualicum Beach,” Willie said. “That’s what really stirred me to say maybe I can add something to the table that would help.”
Should the community lose KSS, he said, it’s likely never to return — and the consequences for Qualicum Beach would be dire.
Although specific issues are important, Willie said his bottom line is that council needs to work together.
“What’s really important is to get five people at the table with varied backgrounds who can use their history in the community and their expertise to look at issues and try to find ways to improve our quality of life in Qualicum Beach,” he said.
Willie’s roots in the community run deep. He and his wife Jayne moved to Qualicum Beach over 20 years ago and have raised three children in the community.
“The small town atmosphere and progressive attitude attracted us to Qualicum Beach,” he said.
Willie and wife Jayne live in Qualicum Beach’s village core and are co-owners of Black & White Special Event Rentals.