Vote Deana Simkin

10/15/2022

It’s Election Day! Municipal Government is the closest government to the people. You have the chance to make it the government you want. It’s time for change! It’s time to vote!
-Florence Filberg Centre,
411 Anderson Ave
-Queneesh Elementary School, 2345 Mission Rd
8am - 8pm

10/13/2022

Thank you to everyone that has supported me over the past month. Now is time for the real work…. to get out and vote. Real change happens at the polls. Exercise your right!

10/12/2022

Ready to vote at the 2022 local government election? Come out to the Florence Filberg Centre on Wednesday October 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. for the last advance voting opportunity before general voting day on Saturday October 15.

A few reminders for the advance polls and general voting day:
❌ DON’T wear any election-related buttons or t-shirts or carry promotional material, such as pamphlets.
❌ DON’T discuss candidates, issues, or your voting choices with anyone inside the polling place.
❌ DON’T take photos or use cell phones inside the polling place. 📵Keep your phone in your pocket or bag.
✔️DO feel free to take a photo at the selfie station or at the entrance.
✔️DO follow all signage and direction from your friendly election team.

Thanks for helping us make your upcoming voting experience as smooth as possible!

For full election information, including accessible voting options and mail ballot voting, visit www.courtenay.ca/election

10/11/2022

10/11/2022

Taxes are on the rise yet again and with the 4.2 commercial multiplier, expect another 20% increase on your next commercial tax bill.

The Downtown Courtenay business community is most certainly feeling the strain of these tax hikes. I have talked to many and have heard numerous unsettling stories. Many business & building owners are frustrated with the lack of service they are receiving with this new tax increase. Commercial garbage disposal will be cancelled as of October 31, crime has increased, addiction and mental health issues have become so prevalent that business owners are taking time away from their own business to manage an issue that should not be on their daily work sheet.

A downtown building owner recently said to me “It’s going to be very upsetting when the City finally breaks my tenants.” Every time taxes go up, rent goes up for the business that leases that building. That’s a hard pill to swallow after 2.5 years of a pandemic. Yet, this is what is happening now, in our City.

With that, I must say, I am a downtown business owner and I see the lack of service. I also spend time managing addiction and mental health issues instead of managing my business, and yes, my garbage will no longer be picked up as of October 31. Many Courtenay business and building owners are honestly and rightfully feeling dismissed.

If you are looking for a councillor that will advocate for ALL Courtenay Businesses, vote for a business owner.
I am that business owner.

Vote Deana Simkin on October 15th.

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Vote Deana Simkin for Courtenay Council - local business owner and community leader!

10/10/2022

Taxes are increasing. Are you are getting the services you think fair for this increase? Many businesses sure don’t think so. Did you know that the contract for garbage disposal for Courtenay businesses is not being renewed and businesses have to deal with this “City service” all by themselves?

10/05/2022

Today is the first day of advanced polls.
COURTENAY voters can go to Native Sons Hall 8am to 8pm.
Did you know that only 38% of eligible voters showed up at the polls in the 2018 municipal election? You have the power to choose the government that you want. It’s time for change, it’s time to vote.

09/29/2022

Signs are going up! PM me if you are interested in a sign on your front lawn 😊

09/26/2022

The Official Community Plan (OCP) that was adopted by Courtenay council in June 2022 states that 85% of citizens move throughout Courtenay via private vehicle and 15% via other modes (7% walking, 4% cycling, 4% transit), yet it speaks little of private vehicles moving forward, and promotes cycling, walking and transit. Traffic congestion has been a hot topic for years and with an aging population and the city expecting to be home to approximately 4,500 new residents by 2031 (page 10 of the OCP) we can only expect more traffic on the roads. I would like to see my aging parents be able to move throughout the city safely, in their private vehicle, without unnecessary effort. I would like to see the transport vehicles that move goods to and from businesses do so safely, without unnecessary effort. As a Downtown Courtenay business owner, I would like to see customers visit our beautiful downtown, from near and far, safely and without unnecessary effort. Now to be clear, I walk, I bike, and I believe bike lanes and walking paths would be better suited on smaller streets and/or greenways, not on arterial roads that were designed to move goods and people throughout a City. I believe that our existing transportation infrastructure should be maintained and upgraded to support the 75%-85% of citizens that will be using it in the future, wether is be a motorized vehicle or a battery operated vehicle.

Vote Deana Simkin for Courtenay Council - local business owner and community leader!

09/18/2022

https://www.courtenay.ca/EN/main/departments/development-services/planning-division/official-community-plan.html

Courtenay Official Community Plan (OCP). Have you read it? What are your thoughts? Do you have concerns?

The Courtenay OCP Bylaw 3070 was adopted on July 25, 2022!The City of Courtenay thanks the hundreds of people who participated in the Official Community Plan (OCP) consultation since early 2020. The OCP is a community effort!