Mayor Lawrence Chernoff

To me, this job is all about planning for the future – creating a vision for, and with, the community. That vision has to address absolutely every aspect of Castlegar life, now and decades down the road: water, sewer, recreation, economic diversification, culture and heritage – absolutely everything.

 

I think we’ve come a long way, as a council and as a community, in creating and implementing a sustainable, vibrant, prosperous vision for Castlegar – one that will benefit our city and her residents long into the future.

 

Our new City Hall, SculptureWalk, the Official Community Plan, our Parks Plan – these are just a few of the many, many things we’ve done to maintain an incredibly high quality of life for residents while ensuring one of the lowest tax rates in the region – and there’s much more yet to do.

 

Getting water and sewer out the airport lands was just a first step in attracting new business to the city and getting a regional hospital here. Bringing in new stores and businesses will help stop the fiscal leakage that happens when residents shop in places like Kelowna or Colville – the West Kootenay economy loses between $4 million and $5 million to that, and we want to keep that money here. Developing Millennium Park in a way that showcases our stunning natural surroundings … continuing to implement the Water Plan so our kids aren’t left with a massive repair bill down the road … further developing the relationships and partnerships that help us achieve our vision … I could go on and on.

 

This is an exciting time for Castlegar, and I’m proud of the role I played in getting us this far. I think the city is headed on the right path, and I believe I can help us continue to move in the right direction with my knowledge and understanding of the many complex issues we’re facing, with the working relationships I’ve built over the years, and with my passionate commitment to our city.

 

Which is why I’m asking you to bring me back as your Mayor this Nov. 19.

 

Thank you.