Joni Davis calls for greater focus on taxpayers and community services in bid for Quesnel city council

She described her candidacy as an opportunity to be part of the solution to issues affecting the community.

“I’ve always been taught you can either be part of the solution or part of the problem,” she said. “I feel this is the time I truly want to be part of that solution.”

Davis said one of her primary concerns is what she sees as an imbalance in how resources and services are being delivered within the community. She pointed to ongoing challenges related to mental health, addiction and housing, acknowledging they are significant issues facing not only Quesnel but communities across the province and country.

While recognizing the need for support in those areas, Davis said she believes local government must also ensure taxpayers’ concerns remain a central focus.

“I believe we need no more division,” she said. “We need to respect everyone, restore the balance to where this money and funding is going, and we have to start listening to the taxpayer.”

Drawing on her experience as a business owner, Davis said she wants council to remember that public funding ultimately comes from residents and businesses who pay taxes.

“As a businesswoman, I realize that all of this money is not free. It’s coming from the taxpayer,” she said.

Supporting the local business community would also be a priority if elected. Davis argued that businesses are critical to maintaining the tax base that funds municipal services and programs.

“We need to look after our business community that’s making that tax base first, or no one is going to have any funding,” she said.

When asked about her priorities if elected, Davis said her first step would be learning the responsibilities and procedures associated with serving on council.

“I think first on my list is learning the policies and procedures,” she said. “That’s all going to be new to me, but I’m up for the challenge.”

She added that she intends to approach the role with honesty and integrity while working to ensure residents’ voices are heard.

“The vision is very clear, and that’s restoring balance with taxpayers and starting to listen to the taxpayers,” Davis said.

Davis also expressed concern about seniors who have spent decades contributing to the tax base but are now struggling to access services when they need them.

“We still have people that have worked 70 years in their lifetime and contributed to that tax base,” she said. “When they now need the services that were promised and they’re not available, that’s when I’m a little disturbed.”

Highlighting her background as a business owner, Davis pointed to her work during the COVID-19 pandemic as an example of her willingness to advocate on behalf of others. She noted that she launched her travel business just months before global travel restrictions took effect and later worked with industry groups and elected officials to address issues affecting customers whose trips had been cancelled.

“I fought through that,” she said. “I believe if I use those same principles, I’m going to continue to fight and get answers to questions that none of us seem to get through the processes and procedures we’re using now.”

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Joni Davis calls for greater focus on taxpayers and community services in bid for Quesnel city council

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