Brent Taillefer is seeking to lead the next District of Taylor council as mayor in this month’s municipal election.
Election Day is Saturday, Oct. 15, and voters will elect four councillors and one mayor to serve as the next district council through to 2026.
Alaska Highway News has sent out a questionnaire to all candidates asking about their experience, priorities, and where they see the future of the district headed.
Responses are being published as they are received. The answers below have been edited for spelling and grammar only.
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Name: Brent Taillefer
Occupation: Canadian Natural Gas Manager for a chemical distribution company/Taylor Councillor
Community involvement: 17 years with Taylor Fire Rescue, 10 years with Gold Panning committee, volunteer at Taylor School, Peace Passage Figure Skating Club, and Taylor Minor Hockey.
Why are you running for district council?
I have been on council for the last three terms. I have always had a love for Taylor and take pride in serving my community. I am now running for mayor so that I can continue to advocate for the residents and overall betterment of Taylor. I enjoy making a positive difference in people's lives. I will keep the small town feel of Taylor while staying fiscally responsible. This will create a strong future for our children and a place where my own kids can eventually raise a family.
What are your top 3 priorities?
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Seniors Housing - I will work with the Province and BC Seniors Housing to develop a strategy and opportunity for seniors to remain in their community. Included in improving inclusivity for our seniors, I would ensure reliable transportation to link Taylor with Fort St. John and lobby the provincial government and Northern Health to keep health care in the municipality. This will provide solutions for aging in place.
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Public Safety - I want Taylor to be a place where people feel safe in the community. This includes discussions with the RCMP to maintain patrols or potentially increase service to Taylor, as well as discussions surrounding lowering speed limits on residential streets. We will complete a street lighting audit and ensure adequate street lighting throughout Taylor. In addition, I will continue to work with Northern Health and the bylaws to clean up abandoned and unsightly premises.
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Complete the Asset Management Plan - This will ensure that we have a comprehensive plan to maintain, or replace, our critical infrastructure such as water and sewer. Included in this is an alternate water study to be sure that our community always has access to clean, safe water.
The district has an extra million dollars - How do you spend it?
If the district had an extra million dollars, I would figure out the most effective way to allocate the money to the improvements discussed in my top three priorities.
Picture Taylor in 2032. What do you see?
In 10 years, I hope to see a family first, friendly, safe community that fulfills the needs of everyone from children to seniors. Jarvis Crescent will provide more options for growing families to stay in Taylor, seniors housing and transportation will be in place, our asset management plan will be complete, and we will have more activities to include the needs of our teenaged citizens.
What's the last local event you attended?
The last local event I attended was the opening of the new Public Works shop, but by the time you are reading this, I will already have attended the Healthy Walk to Breakfast and a few other community events. Generally, if I am not volunteering at a community event, my family and I are participating in it.
What's the last movie or book you enjoyed and why?
We just had a family movie night. We watched Disney's McFarland. It is a feel-good movie based on a true story of perseverance, determination, and dedication. These are all qualities that I personally strive for.
What's your dream post-pandemic vacation?
We have been saving for about four years now to take a family vacation to Disney World. We hope to fulfill this dream during spring break of 2024!
Taylor's best kept secret is...
The people of Taylor, including our dedicated staff, Taylor Elementary School's PAC, generous sponsors, and community partners who enable us to host many incredible community events. This includes bingo, Easter and Christmas parties, Halloween parties and fireworks, Remembrance Day Ceremonies, Gold Panning and Community Parade, and many, many more.
