Since moving to Whistler in 1992, Kevin Damaskie has taken every effort to be involved in his community.
"I had always been involved at some level — either as an activist, reporter, writer, local government employee — in community development efforts and initiatives," Damaskie said.
So when he found himself at a crossroads this summer, the opportunity to run for director in the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District's (SLRD) Area C seemed like a good way to continue the trend.
"It was just an ongoing kind of adult-life commitment to being involved and active within my community in a real supportive way that led me to this campaign trail," he said.
Damaskie's bid for the Area C director's chair is built around four campaign planks: Strengthening and diversifying the local economy, building progressive partnerships, protecting and providing infrastructure and maintaining the area's natural assets and community character.
Damaskie said he'd like to bring a progressive, collaborative conversation to the board table to empower the entire region.
"The root word of community is communication — they're one and the same — and that's what I've always advocated for, is that effective and rational community development comes through responsible communications," he said.
"Connecting people and connecting ideas and connecting opportunities for communities to be better through innovative ideas, enabling people to do the best at what they're good at, I think that's really important.
"I just see so much opportunity here, and we don't have to be anything other than ourselves to really seize that opportunity, and that's beautiful," he said.
More details on his campaign can be found on his website, www.kevindamaskie.com.
Also vying for the Area C director's seat is Lee Brodowski, manager of administrative services with the RCMP's Sea to Sky Detachment.
Brodowski has lived in the Pemberton area since 1994, and is set to retire from the RCMP in the summer of 2016.
"I've been working in the government structure for 36 years now... and I'm quite comfortable in that environment," Brodowski said.
"I've been fortunate in my life and work to be able to focus my energy in that area, and when I'm interested in something, then I do focus my best energy at that."
In her duties with the RCMP, Brodowski worked with all of the people and resources behind the scenes, from the front office complaint takers to the guards in the cellblock area.
"There's quite a variety, and I can't do my job without having their input," she said.
"We have very strict budgets and structure, of course, and you can only do so much, (but) if you pay attention and understand the framework, you can realize the goals of individuals and meet their needs... it's just having an understanding of what and how to go about that."
In running for director, Brodowski would like to offer a voice to the varying interests of Area C residents.
"Transparency really ensures the early and ongoing public involvement, and that's what we want," she said.
"I think it's fantastic that there's some choices out there, and you know, even with the three of us candidates just for Area C... if anything, it offers choices, and that's so important."
Advance voting for Area C takes place Wednesday, Nov. 12 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Village of Pemberton office.
General voting day is Saturday, Nov. 15.
