What’s driving Barry Avis to seek his fifth term on Qualicum Beach council is his passion for the town.
“When Hilary and I moved here 19 years ago, we fell in love with the town,” Avis says in a news release. “Over the years, that love has only grown and I have dedicated myself to working to preserve our small-town character and our quality of life here in Qualicum Beach.”
Avis brings to the council table a career in senior management with pharmaceutical and technology companies and decades of community service, according to the release.
He is chair of the Vancouver Island Regional Library board and was recently named winner of the 2018 B.C. Library Advocacy Award.
He has been a director and vice-president of the Association of Vancouver Island Coastal Communities, representing 48 municipalities.
His primary council responsibilities have included finance, planning, water and environment. He chaired the Town’s finance committee for six years.
He also chaired the Town’s environment committee and was a member of the Heritage Forest Commission.
He has served as council’s liaison for many of the town’s special activities, including Family Day, Fire & Ice, the Harvest of Music and the Farmers Market.
“Qualicum Beach is a special place,” Avis says, “but we can’t become complacent.”
He says he’s concerned by a recent trend on council to stray from normal approval processes, limiting public input.
“I’m not anti-development,” he says. “I have a background in Business Administration and Industrial Engineering. I’m in favour of continuing the revitalizing of our town core. I’m in favour of thoughtful development that takes into account our environment, our water, the natural beauty of the area and our quality of life.”
Key, Avis says, are respect for the town’s Official Community Plan and a high level of resident input.
“We can have limited growth that improves our quality of life and ensures we have enough high-quality water for everyone,” he says.
“I have the knowledge and experience to help improve our town systems and infrastructure and to get good value for your tax dollars.”
For more information, call Barry Avis at 250-752-0935.
— Submitted by Avis campaign
