Dear Editor,
I have decided to leave public life as of December 1, which marks the end of my term on Bowen Island Municipal Council.
I will continue to be active on matters that I know are critical to our survival as an island and a region. I will join people in the community who are doing good works outside of the immediate political landscape. I strongly believe the answers to many of our woes lie not in the political fray but in the quieter corners of where we live.
I will return to public life at some point but for now I will continue with my volunteer work and look for new challenges that harness my array of experience as a creative professional in design and video/sound production along with my unique experience in both local and regional governments.
In closing, I truly wish all of the candidates well and a special heartfelt note to the people who are running to be elected for the first time. Entering public life is a very special thing. You will know this within minutes of being elected. You will feel the weight of your responsibility to your community. For those entering into The Islands Trust you will feel the weight of your responsibility to the region and to this fragile land and seascape you have been called to steward. So go forward and do good work once you are elected. It will be more than you can imagine and it will be good.
It has been an honour to serve Bowen Island, the Islands Trust and Metro Vancouver these past three years. So long for now.
Andrew Stone
