The following are candidates' responses to the following questions: Incumbents only: With School District 43's recent difficulties, which resulted in $13.4 million in cost cutting, and a forensic audit noting lack of control and monitoring resulted in a deficit in 2012/'13, why should anyone vote for you, an incumbent who was on the board when it happened? To non-incumbents only: If you are elected, what issue would you bring to the board's attention? To all: What is your reason for running for school trustee? Also: Do you think there is enough transparency about what goes on in the school district? If not, how would you change it?
Entrepreneur, home renovations, lives in Coquitlam
Expertise to offer board: advocacy
Endorsement: CUPE
Why run: "I have been involved with education throughout my career and I have that in conjunction with experience in corporate life, making me more well rounded [Although] I appreciate a lot of things the board has done over the years, [at the same time] I see many shortcomings there are things that can be improved upon."
What issue: "We need to advocate more effectively with the [education] ministry for more equitable funding and that's going to require public support."
Transparency: "I think the transparency is minimal and I think there is a reticence on the part of trustees and the school district to being more transparent and I would like that changed An example of that is the financial statements, which are to some extent available at board meetings, are very cryptic and the public is just not able to understand that."
