Encouraging community involvement in the political process is the driving force behind Rob Southcott’s bid for City of Powell River Council in November’s civic election.
Born and raised in Powell River, Southcott said this region is fortunate because residents are pushed to depend upon one another in this “isolated, island community.”
He has extensive connections in his role with the BC Ambulance Service and has an active role with local levels of government.
“I am engaged in this community in my position of paramedic chief and my involvement in emergency planning and preparation,” Southcott said. “I am engaged with all of the fire departments, the emergency planner, the regional district and the City of Powell River.”
Southcott also has commerce experience, having been in business in the BC Interior for 18 years, providing him with an understanding of finance.
For years he has been involved in a range of community volunteerism, from minor hockey, as a parent, to large community events in the Interior.
“This is all stuff that gives me resources to connect with people of this community,” he said. “I am hoping through these connections that I can provide meaningful input.”
The desire to offer his experiences in running for council began to germinate about four years ago.
“When I decided a year or two ago this is what I must do, I’ve been going to council meetings, reading minutes, studying material and learning how the city works,” he said.
Southcott said he does not believe he can find a traditional definition for his political views. His concept of the economy extends beyond dollars and cents and fully embraces human and social capital.
“A lot of old models are not working for us and we need to find something new,” he said. “I see the resources of the community as full of promise. It’s the promise of engagement and the rediscovery of what democracy truly is.”
Southcott sees a community that already works together phenomenally well. He wants to harness that spirit of involvement to provide the political process more traction.
Southcott said he is not seeking office from a position of dissatisfaction with the current administration. He added that the city’s staff is excellent and there are lots of people working to keep the machine of this city operating.
“When it comes to the policy decisions, however, we are in a time when public consultation really needs to take on a larger dimension,” he said.
Having been born in Powell River, Southcott has huge respect for the history and the complex and wonderful fabric of the community. Even when he has lived away from Powell River, this has always been home.
“This community is in my blood,” Southcott said.
