Who Is Dave Loewen - My Bio

I was born and raised in Abbotsford; attended South Poplar Elementary, MEI, and Abbotsford Secondary schools. I am a retired educator, having taught two years in Australia, three in Manitoba, and 32 at MEI, including three years as Principal of the secondary school and two years as principal at MEI Chilliwack.

I hold a B.A. (Sociology) from Simon Fraser University, and a M.Ed. (Administration) from the University of Victoria.

   

Following high school, I volunteered two years with MCC in the Democratic Republic of Congo; here I managed of a Guest House for one year (at age 19), and did community development work for one year in a remote part of the Kivu Province, near Bukavu.

I have served on numerous boards and committees over the years:

• ·         MCC BC Board member for 10 years, including vice-chair and chair positions,
• ·         National and local church boards,
• ·         Chair of the Canadian Mennonite University Council, Winnipeg;
• ·         Director on the B.C. Federation of Independent Schools Associations Board;
• ·         Director on the Heart2Heart (Haiti) Board; and
• ·         Director on the Mennonite Historical Society of B.C. Board.

I am a member of Level Ground Mennonite Church, and am proud to serve our community as a member of the Rotary Club of Abbotsford; I am a recipient of a Paul Harris Fellow.

First elected to City Council in 2005, I am now serving in my fourth term. My responsibilities on Council have included most committees including:

• ·         Mission-Abbotsford Transit Committee;
• ·         Abbotsford Social Development Advisory Committee;
• ·         City Industrial Development Advisory Committee;
• ·         City Economic Development Advisory Committee;
• ·         Environmental Advisory Committee;
• ·         Abbotsford Youth Commission;
• ·         Matsqui Dyking, Drainage and Irrigation Committee;
• ·         Audit Committee;
• ·         Mayor’s Task Force on Economic Development;
• ·         Business, Innovation, Growth & Attraction Advisory Committee
• ·         Abbotsford Chamber of Commerce (Council Liaison)
• ·         Abbotsford Local Immigration Partnership Council
• ·         Abbotsford Arts Council
• ·         Homelessness Action Advisory Committee, Chair (2014-16)
• ·         Parks, Recreation, and Culture Committee, Chair (2016-18)
• ·         Fraser Valley Regional District Board. 
• ·         Abbotsford’s Canada 150 Community Leader

I am married to Grace, a registered nurse, and we have two married sons and seven grandchildren, all living in Abbotsford. We enjoy traveling, which has taken them to five continents (some with student groups on service assignments), and to many parts of North America.

I have a keen interest in family history and genealogy, both of which occupy some of my leisure time. I enjoy the outdoors (hiking, snowshoeing, canoeing), as well as fitness-related activities (I have competed in Seniors’ Swimming; Sprint-Triathlons, GranFondos, Half-Marathon, numerous 5k & 10k runs, including all Run For Water events.).

AN INDEPENDENT VOICE

The Strength of Local Government

   Democracy has its roots in Ancient Greece, dating back approximately 2500 years. One of the distinguishing features of Athenian democracy was a legislative assenbly consisting of all Athenian citizens. They practiced direct democracy; their individual voices were heard and not subject to the directives or control of a body of individuals. They may not have had their "rights" secured by the Athenian constitution, but enjoyed their liberties nonetheless. These liberties were exercised and enjoyed by not being subjects themselves to the rule of another body or person.

   Canadians have become increasingly cynical about the political process and about politics in general. This growing mood has become evident in the shrinking turnout at election time. Many citizens don't feel and experience that same level of direct democracy that Athenian society once exercised. Party politics, so evident at the federal and provincial levels, is to a great extent, responsible for this pessimistic mood. Individuals elected by their constituencies find it difficult, at best, to represent the views of their constituents.

   Local government has for the most part, been able to avoid the pitfalls of party politics. That individuals elected to office can exercise independence of mind and reflect the values of a body of citizens without restraint from a party leader, remains one of the greatest strengths of local government. Furthermore, I have come to appreciate that through the process of testing my ideas against the challenges of eight other Council members, I have become more thorough and confident in my decision-making. Instead of two or three contending viewpoints, we may each be faced by as many as eight views on any given issue, and in the back and forth discussions that ensue, better decisions are more likely to be made.

   Last week I heard Rex Murphy refer to communities as the "texture of the nation". I would then add that diversity of independent thought and opinion in local government represents the diversity of the community, which defines that texture.

  When nine men and women exercise independent decision-making in what each believes to be in the best interests of the community, the "texture" of that community can only be enriched and strengthened.