Luana Dusseault
My name is Luana Dusseault. I am running for town council. I was born in Meadow Lake, Saskatchewan. I was adopted at the age of 4. I grew up in Rouleau, Saskatchewan in a small farming community. Both of my parents were very active in the community. My dad was a airplane navigator in WWII. He served on town hall, member of the Legion and the Wawa Shriner’s club. He was also a farmer. My mother was church organist and choir director, created Dance Saskatchewan, member of Eastern Star and Daughters of the Nile.
I moved to BC when I was 13 and lived on Vancouver Island until I lost my husband at the age of 30. I have 2 girls and 5 grandchildren. I moved to Vancouver in 2001 for better job opportunities as a single parent.
I have had many ups and downs which have made me the person I am today. Strong, independent, and caring.
I have worked in hospitality as a front desk clerk, chambermaid, and laundry. The most rewarding was meeting people from around the world and hearing their stories and learning about their cultures.
I have experience in retail sales, management and customer service.
I also worked as a receptionist for a very large wire and cable company.
I like to listen and help when I can.
I am now on a disability and that gives me plenty of time for others.
I look forward to getting to know more people in the community.
Thank you for being a welcoming community.
Best of luck to all candidates.
Garrett Golhoff
Declined to participate.
Roxanne Gulick
I am married to Randy and he and I have been together for 36 years. We have three amazing children who keep us on our toes with two who have moved away and one who is in her last year of high school. My kids have taught me so much and challenge me daily on local and world affairs, and while I think politics would always be something I was passionate about, I am not sure that if we had chosen not to have children that I would have such a strong desire to be part of systems that have the possibility of making the world we live in a better place.
I grew up in Grande Prairie, Alberta and then jumping forward quite a few years, Randy and I bought a home and started our family in the small community of Grovedale just south of Grande Prairie. Eleven years ago we moved to Tumbler Ridge.
I was (last term – 4 years) and am (currently by acclimation) the school trustee representing Tumbler Ridge for School District 59. This has been and continues to be a role that challenges my beliefs while teaching me so many new and innovative things. I have learned the importance of patience. Systems are pretty well set and take perseverance and patience to initiate change or make the decision that something is working just fine. I am grateful I have had this opportunity and am excited to continue to do the work that comes with being a school trustee.
I have learned that listening skills paired with curiosity are two of the greatest strengths I can have. Anyone who knows me can tell you that I can talk, and talk and talk. I have learned the importance of listening though, particularly when doing a job where I am in a position to make decisions for people other than myself.
Trent has asked us to answer a few questions for the paper and so many of the things I may have included in this “bio” are within the answers to his questions.
I would be so proud to represent this community of Tumbler Ridge and I hope that I am elected by the citizens of Tumbler Ridge on October 15th to do so.
Ron Hofman
Ron Hofman, BA, JD, is a Red Seal plumber and proprietor of Tumbler Ridge’s own Hofman Plumbing. A resident of Tumbler Ridge since August 2020, Ron is delighted to have found a town that he and his family can call home and is dedicated to seeing Tumbler Ridge thrive.
Because of the portability of his and his wife’s careers, Ron and his family had the whole of Canada available to them when deciding where to live. However, one visit to Tumbler Ridge sealed the deal – even in the middle of COVID lockdowns, the incredible sense of community that defines Tumbler Ridge made us want to call this beautiful place home.
As a plumber, Ron has had the opportunity to meet many members of this community, from all walks of life and to hear the ways in which our neighbours and friends could be better served by the town we share. As a father of three children, two at TRSS and one at TRE, Ron has been privileged to know firsthand the many talented folks dedicated to educating and supporting our children, and to see the ways in which this little town has a big commitment to inclusion. He is devoted to returning that service to the town and the many folks who make it such a wonderful place to live.
Furthermore, with a bachelor’s degree in economics and a law degree, as well as a skilled trade, Ron will bring a diversity of skills to the table as he serves Tumbler Ridge. He’s someone who knows how to do his homework, however hard, and to come prepared for the challenges at hand. Having specialized in mediation and alternative dispute resolution at law school, Ron is always ready to hear multiple viewpoints, seeking common ground and finding a win-win solution.
Ron is dedicated to maintaining and expanding the quality of life in Tumbler, especially through supporting the many non-profit groups and community organizations that enrich our town, connect us as neighbours, and support our townsfolk in difficult times. As anyone who has worked with him knows, one of Ron’s core values is honesty, and he will ensure honest, transparent communication; he will hold himself and council accountable for listening and responding to the citizenry.
Since moving to Tumbler, Ron has been delighted to see new businesses opening and thriving; it is paramount to him that council support the continued growth of small business in the community. Prior to becoming a plumber, Ron worked as a business analyst supporting small businesses throughout Western Canada, identifying areas for growth and improvement and coaching owners on everything from contracts to operations to financial matters.
Ultimately, Ron’s goal is simple: to ensure that Tumbler Ridge is led with honesty and transparency, and respect for those who give so much to make it, not just a town, but a community.
Ken Klikach
My name is Ken Klikach, and I am Running for Councillor in Tumbler Ridge.
I have lived in Tumbler Ridge for 15 years and was employed by the district as a building official and later as Building Services Manager. During my tenure, I presented information to council on many projects and developed the current building bylaw to meet MIA requirements. I was also involved in the drawing of many contracts, issuing them for tender. I attended many courses while working for the district, the last one being the Approving Officer course.
I was born in Edson, Alta, and moved to Burnaby, BC, in 1958. After completing high school, I worked for Weiser Locks as a buyer and then Purchasing Manager. In 1970 I moved to Fort Nelson and worked for Pacific Petroleum. Then moved on to attain Carpentry and Electrical apprenticeships and started three different companies during that time. In 1979, I moved back to the Lower Mainland to start custom home design and building, and later added importing commercial greenhouses and heating systems from Holland to sell and build across Canada and into the USA. In the late 90s I involved myself in building and exporting natural gas compression units for vehicle fuel in India and Pakistan.
My first trip to Tumbler was in December 2006; it was -38 C, and the road from Dawson had 60 cm of blowing snow covering it. My car had about 19 cm of clearance, so I had to back down the hills a few times to take a very fast run just to make it. I said to myself I love it out here, but as soon as I got the job, I invested in a 4×4 pickup, and it’s been uphill ever since.
A Vote for Ken Klikach will ensure you are represented in the council!
Nicole Noksana
My name is Nicole Noksana. I was born the middle child of a second generation lobster fishing family in eastern PEI. Following politics and having a voice in all levels of our government was ingrained into us kids from a young age by both my father, who held memberships to his favored political parties since long before I was running wild through the red mud, and my mother, who brought a strong Albertan’s perspective to our quiet Atlantic province.
I moved to the northern NWT in 2007 where I met my now husband Gerald. With our daughter, we moved south to Tumbler Ridge in early 2014, and our son was born shortly after. Like many others, we moved to this town for work, and have stayed eight years and counting because of our love for Tumbler Ridge.
I’ve been heavily involved in community organizations throughout our eight years in Tumbler, from the district parents’ advisory committee to the Wolverine Nordic and Mountain Society (WNMS). As past chair of four organizations and holding executive positions on three others, I’ve gotten to know parents, seniors, newcomers, and established residents in TR from all walks of life.
From these interactions I’ve come to realize I have the same goals as a lot of townspeople and I would like to help see them accomplished. These goals include adequate daycare, health care, and housing making it possible for professionals, businesspeople, families, and seniors to enjoy life here, supporting small businesses and welcoming a thriving tourist trade.
Our town will continue to lose residents if we cannot provide the essential services of childcare and health care. This will create a trickle effect: if we can not find and keep qualified teachers, families will have to move elsewhere, leading to a loss of professionals. If we cannot staff our Health Center, our town will not be able to accommodate people with health issues or be able to work with seniors who wish to age in place. This is a cycle that can have a devastating impact on our future.
From my upbringing and experiences, I see the potential that people have to make an impact on their community through politics. I have a strong belief that serving others is a true calling I have been led to, and would love to continue to serve the community as a council member.
Chris Norbury
I moved to Tumbler Ridge in 2011 with wife Lindsey Norbury with a great opportunity for her to teach at TR Secondary, and what a great choice that was. Since moving here I’ve had a lot of opportunities to grow professionally, personally, and as a family. I owe so much to the community of Tumbler Ridge I want to pay back everything it has given me. Before moving to Tumbler Ridge I was working as a residential care-aid looking after persons with special needs and at-risk youth in care home settings. Since moving to Tumbler Ridge I worked at the Children’s Centre, the Rock Pit Gym, and now as a Librarian at the Tumbler Ridge Public Library. During my time at the Tumbler Ridge Public Library I have tried to build community through our multiple programs and services offered. By identifying gaps in our community, we have attempted to fill the need to help people in our community achieve success and growth. After attending council meetings for 3+ years I wanted to step up and serve our community by being their voice in the council chambers where I have been serving for the last 4 years.
I believe that through community involvement, volunteering, and working with the public keeps me in-tune with the changing needs of our community. Willingness to learn from others, interacting with professionals and experts guide my decision making from a co-operative, inclusive, engaged, and evidence-based approach. I want to continue to be a voice for our community at the local, provincial, and higher levels of government.
In the last four years as a councilor I have sat on multiple boards: Chair of the Building Healthy Communities Committee, Director of the Tumbler Ridge Community Forest, Liaison to the Tumbler Ridge Society for Children’s Needs, the VP of the South Peace Health Services Society, Liaison to the Tumbler Ridge Child Care Society, and now the chair of the recently formed Childcare Taskforce.
I think our priorities for the future are: childcare space creation, economic development, access to reliable healthcare, housing development, support for non-profits, recruitment and retention of professionals and volunteers, bringing high-speed internet to town, continued support for sports and recreation opportunities, and a transparent and responsible government. With my experience and knowledge I can navigate us on how we can approach these issues and bring positive growth to our community, or at the very least try.
I think Tumbler Ridge is an amazing community, and we have a lot to offer that many communities don’t. I want to keep the community a great place for people to live in and where our children and families can grow together. Where people have the opportunity to be successful and live the lives they want to live.
Thanks for your confidence and another four years!
Trent is the publisher of Tumbler RidgeLines.
