Will Parker: Bio
I consider myself an environmental educator and rock stacking landscaper, but I feel like I have more to offer. I am running in this election out of respect for my elders, not because I feel they are doing a bad job. I live in the cabin I was born in, on the side of the Slocan River. I grew up learning about community from the people I loved the most. My grandmother, T.C. Carpendale, was my inspiration for local involvement. She did things because they needed to be done. My father Blake Parker was a poet and medical anthropologist dedicated to a vision of creative community. My mother Monica Carpendale runs the Kutenai Art Therapy Institute in Nelson.
I began my post-secondary studies at Selkirk College in Castlegar and went on to a BA in psychology at the University of Victoria. My academic interests led me to a masters in environmental studies at Dalhousie University.
I am a thesis reader for KATI and have recently been using my approach towards environmental education to help develop a series of eco-art therapy workshops. For the past four years I have been a board member of both the Dumont Creek Burial Society and the Rural Alternatives Research and Training Society. I didn’t ask for the endorsement of either of these organizations; they both enjoy positive relationships with the current director. I only ask that you exercise your right to vote and consider voting for Will Parker.
Top 3 issues
#1. Youth opportunities. Electoral Area H (Summit Lake to Playmor Junction) is a unique geographic and cultural treasure. Many people are attracted to this area because of the amazing knowledge base represented by local residents. At the same time, I think that we could do a better job with creating local opportunities for youth to learn from their elders. There needs to be more employment opportunities. I would like to see more environmental education in the schools. I would like to see young people employed running these programs. I would like to see more opportunities for older and younger people to share their skills. We all need to work together to inspire creativity and diversity in our local economy. This is a time for sharing knowledge and trusting our students. This area has something amazing to share.
#2 Political participation. Occupy the polling stations. Voter apathy is a huge issue, especially for local government. As part of this campaign I want to inspire and create an opportunity for greater political involvement among young people.
We all contribute to the community and our involvement and interaction makes us all better people. I consider running in this election as an offer of service and as an amazing learning opportunity. If you give me the opportunity to take this challenge to the deepest level of serving the community, I will do my best to inspire and mentor new generations of young people. I will ask difficult questions like “when do we get to talk about bringing back the salmon?” My participation in this opportunity is a pledge to try to inspire and create opportunity for others.
#3. The dog control question. As a child I knew every dog on my section of the back road. I was afraid of some of these dogs. As a dog lover and owner I feel a great deal of responsibility for the way my dog behaves. I believe that a dog should stay on the owner’s property but that these issues are best resolved through communication with neighbors.
There are many interesting issues related to human encroachment on wildlife but my latest adventures in farming have reminded me of the value of friendly animals that help keep the wild wild, and away from my door. I do see a real problem with rambunctious dogs frightening parents and children at popular swimming spots. There are many things that can be done but I don’t think that a dog bylaw is the best way to help dog owners take more responsibility.