I never considered myself an expert in an area just because I moved here 20 years ago from some where else.
I felt I was a "newbie" to the island.
People here would refer to different areas by saying " Do you remember where the old ________ was? " I would not know what they were talking about and considered myself to be a "newbie" to the area. I have read several newspaper articles with real estate agents saying they are the neighbourhood expert. Hmmm! Do they live in this area? I do not know. Are they experts? Who knows.
Please let me know if this qualifies as your neighbourhood Real Estate expert.
I worked in the Nanaimo School District from 1992 until I went in to Real Estate in 2007. I worked in most of the schools in Nanaimo School District and I still volunteer and help out when I can. Yes, I am still an employee but I work at my real estate career full time now. Which I love.
When I moved to the island I became involved with the politics and several different groups and organizations
Participated in meetings to help get Dover Bay school built for our community.
I was asked by the RDN to become the Lantzville Resident Association President which I did for 14 years. I had to participate in all town meetings. I felt that this position was no longer needed when Lanzville incorporated as we then had a mayor and council.
I was the Vice President of Communities for Responsible Waste Management where we fought to not have the land fill put above our watershed in Lantzville. Lantzville is on well water and community well water.
I sat on the Lantzville Logging committee for 2 years.
I was involved with the research for incorporating Lantzville.
After Lantzville voted to incorporate we ( Communities for Responsible Waste Management ) donated the money we raise through fund raising to Stream Keepers in Lantzville. We wanted the money to stay in the community.
I know who has municiple water and who is on well. Who is hocked up to sewer and who is next. Plus, the cost.
I worked for Shaw TV and did a series of TV segments on Wells and Aquifers with Red Willaims, who is a well known 2nd generation well driller and knows the aquifer here.
My future plan is to get involved with researching the possibility of Lantzville getting a better source of water.
When I worked in the school district I spend many summers getting books from our local libraries, archive and museums and reading about the history of Nanaimo and Vancouver Island. This information I was able to share with the children when we had Guided Reading classes. What better way to get to know your community. Stories like why Departure Bay was named Departure Bay, secrets of downtown Nanaimo and what was the jingle in the pot that gave Jingle Pot its name.
Some incredible stories out there.