Noba Anderson is running for re-election on Cortes Island.
Anderson is seeking a third consecutive term as Strathcona Regional District director for Area B.
Anderson, who grew up on Cortes, said constituents have known her as their local representative for six years and have had the opportunity to scrutinize her actions and decisions.
“I live with you. You know me. I speak my truth. I stand in integrity and honesty,” Anderson says. “I love Cortes. I am your local politician out of love of this place, this land and our community. If it is your collective pleasure, I will serve you again in this way for another four years. You will decide in the election on Nov.15.”
Anderson says she has stayed connected to local organizations through attending meetings, supporting funding opportunities and offering a Cortes-wide perspective on issues at the regional district table.
“This community service role is a great fit for me as the job calls for a generalist who can listen well and synthesize ideas under pressure for the common good,” Anderson says. “This job also requires a deeply self-motivated and self-starting character, which I have shown myself in spades to be.”
Anderson says if she is re-elected, her first priority will be to focus on Cortes-appropriate economic development.
“We need a much more concerted focus on supporting integrated ways of making a living on Cortes,” she says. “We must promote a diversified Cortes economy that far better supports the people that live here. Cortes has not yet had a focused economic plan – an economic development officer – a team pulling together to right our failing economic situation. This will be my highest priority.”
Anderson says if re-elected she will also continue to push Island Health to provide ongoing stable funding for the Cortes Extended Home Support Program which the Strathcona Regional District funded in its first year.
“I will advocate for our seniors in every available way,” Anderson says. “I have been part of the huge success to build two new hospitals in our region, now we must turn our focus to community care, keeping you healthy longer in your homes. Living with my elderly father has given me a firsthand look at the inner (dys)function of our services and all the more motivation to assist change.”
Anderson says her successes as regional district director show she has what it takes to represent Cortes Island.
“Parks are central to Strathcona Regional District work and I have secured Hank’s Beach Park, a small park by the ferry, Whaletown Commons, and am prioritizing beach accesses and cross-island trail connectivity for the next few years,” she says.
Anderson says she also “instigated and incubated” the formation of what is now the Cortes Island Business and Tourism group.
“I am very proud of the work they are doing,” Anderson says. “They have taken a leadership role in collaboratively promoting tourism on Cortes and are also branching out into other areas of community economic development.”
Anderson, who has an undergraduate degree in environmental studies and community development, has worked around B.C. and internationally on community forestry and was a founding member of the BC Community Forest Association.
In 2003 Anderson moved back to Cortes permanently, worked in construction and was the executive director of the Cortes Ecoforestry Society – the precursor to the Cortes Community Forest Co-op that now is in 50/50 partnership with Klahoose First Nation holding tenure to the Cortes Community Forest. Anderson says she hopes to be re-elected on Nov. 15 to continue to serve Cortes Island.
“This job of regional director fits very well with my chosen lifestyle, allowing me to work from home, support my father and dedicate my primary focus to supporting Cortes, this land and other human spaces.”
For more on Anderson, visit http://nobaanderson.ca