CANDIDATE PROFILE: Irene Perepolkin, regional area D candidate
By Boundary Sentinel
1. Please give a brief summary of who you are and why you have decided to run for office. I am seeking re-election as Regional District of the Kootenay Boundary director of area D for a second term. I am confident in having acquired enough knowledge of the practices and procedures of regional government to be able to put that knowledge to use. I have worked hard to receive a certificate (level one) from the Local Government Leadership Academy and am very close to completing the second level. 2. What is your background? Have you held office before? If not what skills do you bring to the job if you are elected? My family roots run deep in this valley and I am the third generation born and raised here. Previous experiences I have include: owning two businesses, being in a supervisory position in health care, doing security work, taking over the family farm in 1987 and, currently, raising broiler chickens as well as owning a home-based business that sells animal food products. 3. What do you think are the top three challenges facing the city/region/school district in the upcoming term? The top three challenges in Area D will be to move forward the recommendations that are the outcome of the Boundary Agriculture Study completed under my chairmanship, completing the Kettle River Watershed Management study (which I sat on as a member) and promoting more agriculturally related industry and education sessions on operating small farms. 4. How do you think you can impact these challenges? Having worked on all of the above studies I have the knowledge of the contents of these and can move forward to them immediately upon getting re-elected without having to take the time to familiarize myself with them. I also instigated the course on Raising Healthy Fowl to be held in the area and had excellent response from it. 5. If you could describe yourself in three words what would they be? I would describe myself as being quiet, dedicated and a workhorse (I have been likened to an energizer bunny.) I do not believe that one has to jump up and make comments to add to those already stated every time just to make your voice heard. You make your impact by listening carefully then making your vote count on the information you digested. 6. Other comments that you feel are important to the voters. I believe continuity is very important to a community. The incumbent can continue with any project(s) that they have undertaken and not completed in their term instead of a newly elected person who has to go through the learning process before they can start to make any progress. This can take up to half your term. I am retired and have the time needed to serve the community by attending local, regional, provincial and federal conferences to represent area D. I am available at any time to hear your concerns or questions. I have answered messages in the shortest time possible and have tried to work out a solution on each call. If you want continuity and progress for your area I ask your support at the polls. Thank you.
Irene L. Perepolkin
