Testimonials
What Joanna says…
I have known Gail for 34 years she is a person who gives 100% to any challenge. She is trustworthy, honest,
committed and is always there to help and support others. She is assertive but always careful in her choice of words. She is a very hard worker and does not shirk away from difficult situations. I have known Gail as a friend and as a colleague she is a born leader, she is determined and will not hesitate at decision making. She is also a very kind and thoughtful family lady and has worked with people with the aim of helping them which her track record proves.
This is a lady whom I am proud to say is my friend.
–Joanna: Retired Metropolitan Police Officer, London, UK
Long Time Friend
I have known Gail since we were 11 years old — for 50 years — and in all that time she has been someone I have
known I could trust completely. During her career as a police officer, Gail worked in some extremely difficult and challenging situations, including supporting children and women experiencing abuse and dealing with issues around drugs and vulnerable people. Her work required enormous compassion, resilience, sound judgement and, above all, integrity.
Gail is one of the most trustworthy and reliable people I know. She listens to people, treats them with respect and can be relied upon to do what she says she will do. Having known her for half a century, I have seen these qualities consistently throughout her life. I believe Gail would bring the same integrity, compassion, experience and commitment to the role of Mayor of Peachland. I would be very proud to see my lifelong friend take on this role and I wholeheartedly support her.
Caroline: Long Time Friend
Government of Alberta
Gail is a community-minded person, who easily balances differing opinions and is able to sift through noise of conversations to arrive at a end that meet the needs of many. She is empathic, determined, and shows all people respect and dignity. Gail listens carefully to people’s perspectives, while able to maintain a focus on the goal in site. She is able to easily identify how decisions impact larger systems, and seeks to learn ongoing. Her commitment and ethics will be an asset in her role in public service, being a mayor who works diligently to meet the needs of her constituents, and making decisions in a thoughtful and information-informed way.
Gail’s ability to multitask and organization will add to her strong community-minded work. I believe she will bring kindness, strong moral compass, and a willingness to help people to the role.
Thank you
Deneka: Government of Alberta and Former Manager
Government of BC colleague
I have had the privilege of knowing Gail since 2008, when we worked together in the public service. Over the years, I have seen firsthand her dedication to helping people, her strong work ethic, and her unwavering commitment to doing what is right. Gail has been source of encouragement throughout my career. Over the years, she consistently challenged me to aim higher and pursue opportunities for growth and advancement, for which Iam deeply grateful.
Her belief in others and her willingness to support those around her are among the many strengths that make her such an exceptional person.
One thing I particularly admire about Gail is that, no matter the challenge, she approaches it with determination, fairness, and a genuine desire to make things better for those around her.
Lynn: Colleague and friend and works for Government of BC
Metropolitan Police Colleague
I worked with Gail for several years in the Metropolitan Police in London, England. I worked with Gail when she was a Sergeant and an Inspector. I first worked with Gail when she was one of the Custody Sergeants at Hammersmith Police Station. She worked with a team responsible for the detention of prisoners. A very demanding role. A job involved in working with various stakeholders, Barristers, Solicitors, Doctors, Family members and religious leaders. She was very much respected by her colleagues and senior officers.
I worked with Gail when she was responsible for the First 24/7 Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) at Fulham Broadway London. This team was the first 24/7 SNT in The Metropolitan Police. Gail was responsible for building the team. Her team was very experienced, committed and a diverse team. Her management skills were both professional and friendly. Gail’s interactions with the varied community was very professional. She worked hard to gain their respect and maintain the respect.
We worked numerous night duty patrols. Most of our patrols were on foot and bicycles. Gail was willing to work the late night patrols, going out on patrols on foot. She worked as one of the team. As Gail’s acting Sergeant we were responsible for the closure of various drug houses. Gail developed very strong professional relationships with various stakeholders. She was responsible for late night patrols with her team, various community meetings, with the retailers, bar venues and various agencies. The officers working under Gail, had various roles in the local community.
Gail developed and promoted each officer skills. Attending meetings addressing local issues. Gail would attend community meetings answering questions and building on positive responses. Gail supported individual officers on her team with their personal beliefs. Gail was very successful in her role. Her professional manner and her willingness to listen and understand the community she served. Gail was very successful in organising community events. Working with and respecting varied community leaders especially around the London Terrorist attack in July 2005.
Gail was a pleasure to work with.
Gerry, Retired Metropolitan Police Officer
Who knows Gail best…..
I am proud to call Gail my wife. I have seen her stand up for many injustices over the time I have known her including women’s rights, unfair treatment of children with special needs and poor decisions made by senior officers when she was in the police. Gail always thinks outside the box for creative solutions to problems. People say to her that can’t be done and she says it has to be done and how do we do it. She will always battle through adversity. Gail is a loving wife, mother and granny. I can honestly say that Peachland will be very fortunate to have her as their mayor with all the skills and experience she brings to the table.
Paul, Husband
Peachland Residents
We have known Gail for almost 20 years. We met whilst trying to navigate the complexities of moving from the UK to Canada. Always happy to assist – she helped us out in many ways and over time we have become great friends.
I (Denise) have been a Nurse for almost 40 years and my husband was a senior Warrant Officer in the British Army then later a director in an aerospace company in Kelowna.
We have found Gail to be a great friend. She always shows great passion in anything that she does. She is thoughtful, caring and is always willing to listen.
More recently I (Denise) also had the opportunity to work with Gail in a Senior’s support program that covered parts of the Okanagan. She was well liked by the team and often offered her advice to the senior leadership. She has the innate ability to listen to a problem, think it through in a calm and considered manner then propose a solution. She often ended up steering meetings to follow a better direction and where necessary – reorganize and direct tasks to their conclusion.
I certainly would not envy her the job of Mayor and all the work that comes with it, but (in typical Gail fashion) she, like many residents, believes that there are things that could be done better in the community and wants to make those things actually happen.
I am sure that if she were to get the position, positive things will happen and the Peachland community will be glad they made the right decision.
Denise and Chris, Peachland Residents
Long time friends and colleagues
I met Gail in 1987 in our early 20s at Hendon College, London as new police recruits. Our friendship was forged on a shared foundation of honesty, loyalty, and a duty to protect the vulnerable. At the time, women made up only 20% of the intake, and as a mixed-race woman, I was in an even smaller minority. Gail’s steadfast
friendship and support were vital. She championed the need for a police force that truly reflected the community and especially female staff to support women and children in society.
Gail went on to become a London Metropolitan Police Inspector, brilliantly leading a central London team while raising her young daughters alongside her husband, Paul. She has always understood that it takes teamwork and a strong, safe community for children to thrive. Our families became deeply connected through the years, as my brother moved to Canada a few years earlier to marry a Canadian citizen of Asian heritage. My sister-in-law still fondly remembers the family picnics we all shared as the children grew up. I still live in London and we both stay in touch digitally and when funds allow in person, now with adult children.
Driven by a desire to give their daughters the best future, Gail and Paul chose Shannon Lake, West Kelowna as their first home. Beyond her unmatched strength of character and ability to work tirelessly under pressure, Gail is full of fun, joy, and warmth. She values the simple pleasures of life like BBQs, outdoor sports, and coffee with friends, and wants every resident to enjoy the fruits of their hard work in a thriving town. Gail is fiercely loyal, completely honest, and will lead Peachland with absolute integrity, dedication, and heart.
Peachland will thrive with her.
Best regards
Soraya, Retired M