Norma Blissett, long time Cranbrook resident, high school teacher and former provincial NDP candidate will run for Cranbrook city council in the upcoming municipal election.
"Cranbrook has been a wonderful place to live and to raise my three children," she said. "Now that they have grown up and left the nest, I have time to devote to my community as a member of city council.
"My priorities will be infrastructure — improving Cranbrook roads, water and sewer systems— and growing our local economy. We also need to implement the results of the deer survey and do whatever we can to ensure that every Cranbrook resident has a family physician."
Blissett holds bachelors degrees in both forestry and education, as well as a masters degree in leadership and administration. She teaches forestry, math and science at Mt. Baker Senior Secondary School. Previously she worked as a forest educator for a group of East Kootenay forest companies.
Blissett has volunteered for a number of community organizations including Citizens for a Livable Cranbrook, the Cranbrook Community Forest Society, the Heart and Stroke Foundation, the Salvation Army, Cranbrook Minor Lacrosse and Kimberley North Star Ski Racers.
"We need to have a variety of people with different work and life experiences to represent the citizens of Cranbrook," said Blissett. "I've worked in the forest industry, taught a few thousand Cranbrook students, and have spoken with hundreds of residents. I think that I can bring a focused energy to get things done on Cranbrook City Council."