CARLISLE WOULD CHANGE WINDOW ON OUR WORLD

Just when it seemed there would be no challenger in this year's race for
mayor, Brian Carlisle stepped into the gate.

Carlisle has a lively history of political activism: he's a longtime
advocate of medicinal marijuana and ran in an Abbotsford riding for the
B.C. Marijuana Party in last year's provincial election.

On a medical suspension from his career as a paralegal, Carlisle spent this
summer getting the Holy Smoke Healing Centre, a nonprofit advocacy centre
for those wanting access to medicinal marijuana, up and running. But he's
also been taking a close look at the city's books, and says he could make
big changes in Chilliwack by resetting budget priorities. Near the top of
his list would be visual improvements to the TransCanada Highway corridor.

"I would say as much as 25 per cent of our tourism is lost because when you
look out the window, it looks horrible," Carlisle said. "This is our front
door to the world."

He could find some of the money for the project by cutting back on what the
city spends fighting "victimless crimes," like grow-ops, he added.

"I know right now, there's $160,000 that we spend on two 'green-team'
members we don't need."

The health of Chilliwack's residents is another issue close to Carlisle's
heart, and the fact that he suffers from life-threatening illnesses, he
says, fuels his passion for ensuring Chilliwack cares for the suffering who
need the city's help most-like the people of Parkholm Lodge. He believes
Chilliwack's mayor and council could do more to fight the impending closure
of the lodge, and he says he's got enough time to do it. "I don't have more
than 10 years, probably...Which is more than I need to become mayor."