Who Is AbbotsfordFIRST?

From Bas Stevens. On September 10 the AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society held its inaugural launch. The society’s four candidates in the November municipal election were presented and the public had its first opportunity to meet and question them.

Abbotsford Today was there in the person of contributor/photographer Bas Stevens.

From AbbotsfordFIRST.com. In 2006 our City was debt free and had a projected $4 million surplus. Today our debt is more than $100 million dollars, the financial outlook isn’t favourable and there are no plans in place to get us back on track.

In recent years negative press has become commonplace in Abbotsford; and the City we were once so proud to call home now has some of the highest property taxes and water rates in BC, citizens are moving to other communities, and businesses are closing.

The citizens of Abbotsford deserve better.

The City of Abbotsford is a large and complex organization with a $250 million annual budget. Councilors (much like a Board of Directors) need to have skills and competencies that enable them to successfully assess the direction and management of the organization. We need to elect councilors who have the depth of skill and experience to really add value and govern in a responsible way.

Criticizing from the sidelines won’t bring about the sweeping change our City deserves, so last fall a group of residents got together and decided to mobilize this change. What began with a simple conversation quickly became a groundswell of support. Today I’m pleased to announce that we have formed an organization known as the AbbotsfordFIRST Electoral Society whose primary purpose is to have four to six new councilors elected in the November 15, 2014 municipal election.

AbbotsfordFIRST is built on three core values that shape everything we do …

So what is AbbotsfordFIRST all about?

AbbotsfordFIRST is a team of leaders working together for positive change
The type of positive change it will take for Abbotsford to be the best that we can be
A City that is a desired location for business and families alike
A city that is looked to as a model of good government
A place where our innovative, collaborative approach sets the stage for a vibrant local economy; and respect for our citizens & the environment is considered in all we do.

AbbotsfordFIRST’s candidates
AbbotsfordFIRST’s website
AbbotsfordFIRST’s Facebook page

All photos by Bas Stevens