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.).

Transparent & Effective Government

Stemming from last evening’s All-Candidates forum and some posts on social media, this article is written partially in response to two concerns raised: Closed meetings and Unanimity on council.

There is a misconception about “Closed” council meetings; that they are attempts to hide information from the public and that they reflect a council that is less than transparent. The Community Charter stipulates that with respect to a variety of topics, meetings must be closed to the public. The more common ones are: contract negotiations, personal information, matters relating to litigation, labour & employee relations, and land transactions, the disclosure of which may harm the interests of the municipality.

It should interest the public that on more than one occasion, individual council members have challenged the basis for discussing certain items in “Closed”, upon which a “Community Charter” rationale is provided. The principle of open government is taken seriously by all council members, and rationale for discussing matters in “Closed” session is always scrutinized by members.

Several weeks ago, the Abbotsford News published an article on the degree of unanimity on Council. Since then, I have heard much public feedback and have also been personally challenged on this matter. At last evening’s “All Candidates” forum, this issue was highlighted by one candidate in his opening remarks as a criticism of this council’s record. I have responded to this some weeks ago in my blog, but will repeat some of those comments here for your benefit.

I shall preface my comments by saying this is my fourth term on council; I have served under four different mayors. At times, my experience was that we were quite dysfunctional and unable to move forward with important agenda. In contrast, this council has been the most effective and efficient in use of time.

Shortly after the last election, council and senior staff gathered for several days to develop and adopt a strategic plan for this term. This plan was built on four cornerstones: a vibrant economy, a complete community, fiscal discipline, and organizational alignment. These would be the guideposts for consideration of everything we were to do in the next four years. Staff understood that new planning initiatives would have to align with this strategy, and departmental business planning and budgeting would be guided by it. This was very significant in making our time more productive.

The second piece was the adoption of alternating Council meetings and Committee of the Whole (COW) meetings. All major initiatives and any challenging proposals came to COW before it was considered at our formal Council meetings. These informal meetings were not decision-making meetings, and they were open to the public. Council members were given a first glimpse of the draft report and the opportunity to critique and provide constructive feedback to staff. This feedback was then considered in shaping final reports that came to Council. For Council not to approve at that stage would be quite unusual, unless extenuating circumstances were encountered at that stage. This process has enabled council to be much more effective in achieving the strategic plan we set out to pursue four years ago. The plan is in progress and will continue into the next term, subject to the wishes of the next council.

"YOUR WORSHIP"

A Feudal Practice

Worship, (noun) (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) (preceded by: Your, His, or Her) Brit a title used to address or refer to a mayor, magistrate, or a person of similar high rank

   Should the practice of referring to elected officials (i.e. mayors) as “Your Worship” be continued? Some argue that the practice be discontinued on religious grounds, as expressed recently by G. Peachey; that the term is reserved for addressing our Creator God. I have never heard anyone use it that way, nor have I ever referred to God as “Your Worship”, but when used as a verb, it has for me always denoted an action directed towards God.

   Used as a noun, however, it does not convey the same meaning for me. I will, however, suggest that it should be discontinued on other grounds, which speak more directly to its origin, dating back to the feudal era. At that time, there was a wide social and economic disparity between the peasants and their landlords, who were obliged to provide safety and justice in return for the peasants’ labour. These landlords not only provided security, but also ruled the feudal lives of the lower-class serfs.

   It was in this relation of landlord-peasant, where subordination and obedience was demanded and accepted, that the landlord was addressed as “Your Worship”, signifying a higher-ranking status. Following the industrial revolution, society moved from a feudal to a capitalist order, and in this environment, landlords were gradually replaced by appointed, and later, elected mayors in the English political context. Notwithstanding a total social revolution and structural change, mayors continued to be addressed as “Your Worship”, particularly in the English world.

   Canada has inherited its parliamentary system of government and judicial system from Great Britain. Many of the practices, titles, and terminology associated with both continue to be found in our country. With respect to the title, “Your Worship”, it specifically has its origin in a society and political structure that reflects inequality and subordination. Using that term in a democratic society in the 21^st century is questionable, and if we are to discontinue using it for that reason, I would certainly agree. In fact, I would support the position that it’s unacceptable. Our mayors are elected representatives and “servants” of the public, as are all elected officials. Let’s resolve to discontinue its use, but for the right reason.

REJECT "GROUPTHINK"

Reject “Groupthink” on November 15!

   AbbotsfordFIRST (AF) has put forward five candidates as a group of representatives (“Groupthink”) that it wishes to send to the Council table to represent our community’s interests. From the very start (August), when the first press release was issued, to this last week before election, AbbotsfordFIRST has presented a platform on a variety of issues, containing some unsupportable statements of fact.

   AbbotsfordFIRST and its candidates have maintained a stubborn refusal to acknowledge those factural errors, not to mention an unwillingness to make corrections when the errors were pointed out. One example will suffice. Its website states that the City has been without an Official Community Plan for three years. In fact, the Community Charter stipulates that every municipality must have an OCP, and each year a bylaw is passed renewing our OCP. That fact was communicated by email, in person, and several weeks ago at the All-Candidates Forum. Yet, a stubborn persistence continues to stay with that message: this week’s 16-page flyer (page 11) perpetuates that error, and its website has not been corrected. This reflects stubbornness, bordering on arrogance, of not willing to be held accountable, both individually and as a party.

   Abbotsford is the third most culturally-diverse community in B.C., and its economic base is similarly diverse. The citizens of Abbotsford not only need and deserve to be well-represented at the Council table, but also to have a council of approachable and accountable individuals. There is no place for party politics (Groupthink) at the municipal level, and certainly not in Abbotsford. I have expressed my views on the matter on more than one occasion; both mayoral candidates also have strong views on this matter - Henry Braun has expressed his views in a blog - The Importance of Independent-Thinking And Principle-Based Decision-Making - and I know that Bruce Banman has a similar view.

   This is not a personal plea, but a general plea to elect 8 independent voices to the Council table on Election Day – November 15^th!

If you agree, please circulate this among your acquaintances.

WELFARE OF THE CITY

The Intersection of Faith and Politics

I was interviewed, not too long ago, by The Canadian Mennonite, a national magazine serving the Mennonite faith community across Canada. It became part of a feature column that highlighted stories of individuals from the Mennonite faith community who have become involved in the political arena. The editorial and feature article are reproduced here in their entirety.

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.