Known in Lake Cowichan for his push to get his community into the Cowichan Aquatic Centre group, Ted Gamble is now trying for a seat on Lake Cowichan town council.
His platform includes encouraging environmentally friendly new businesses as well as keeping current businesses healthy, supporting the town's aging population, and promoting community life by creating jobs that will allow people to work as well as live in Lake Cowichan.
It all comes with getting messages out clearly, he said. Joining the Aquatic Centre is just one example.
"The pool process was unnecessarily cumbersome but I think we got a good deal at Lake Cowichan. For $1.63 a household per year for access to that multimillion dollar facility for me is a no-brainer.
"I would like to see opportunities like that expedited. We have to seize them. We have to make sure our kids have access to save healthy programs," he said.
Gamble is eager to learn more about how the municipal process works, and contribute to the workings of town council.
"I believe I can be a positive influence on that process for the people of Lake Cowichan," he said. "It's my first crack at politics and, although somewhat of a novice, I believe I have something to offer.
The three main themes of his campaign are: the economy, health care and Lake Cowichan's downtown core. Business in the downtown core is vital to the town, he said.
"A determined drive to encourage small and medium-sized businesses will help every aspect of the economy, increasing the cash flowing through our community making it a better choice for all types of businesses and providing much needed jobs right here in Lake Cowichan," he said.
He's not the only one pushing for it, but Gamble is adding his voice to the call for an effort to encourage construction of a facility providing independent living, assisted living and long-term care and allowing people to live out their lives in Lake Cowichan.
In the Lake Cowichan downtown core, the community is what he called "elderly friendly."
What is needed now, is more promotion for businesses to locate along
the main road to increase foot traffic there, Gamble said.