Russ Hearne - City council incumbent

Ed Note: Russ Hearne is a 41-year-old, two-term incumbent who was born and raised in Salmo and moved to Castlegar 17 years ago. He manages Andrew Sheret and is the proud father of two teenaged children.

It has been a pleasure and an honour to be a Castlegar City Councillor for the past two terms.  I am asking for your support for another term.

 
I have enjoyed working on behalf of the people of Castlegar.  My attendance at council meetings, city events, fund raisers and other volunteer events demonstrates my commitment.  I like working on behalf of the city and I am there when needed either behind the scenes or out front.
 
We have accomplished many things over the last term.  As a council we worked on behalf of the residents to save our ultrasound. We worked with the community to let the IHA know they were wrong.  Council took the bold step of even closing the road to truck traffic so they would be unable to remove it.
 
We stood up against SD20 and their cuts by attending their meetings and voicing the concerns of the community.  We worked with other communities to make sure that any cuts that had to be made were equitable.
 
The West Kootenay Regional airport was given a face lift and re-branded to better reflect its value to the region.  I, along with council, have been working hard to find ways to improve the level of service during the winter months.  I am confident that we will see some positive changes in the coming years. 
 
Water and sewer lines are being installed under the Kinnaird Bridge to bring long overdue servicing to the airport lands.  This will give the City a large flat area of service lands to allow for future expansion along with giving those businesses a dependable water source. 
 
Health care continues to be on the forefront of all of our minds.  By servicing the airport lands we are confident that when the IHA decides to replace the regional hospital Castlegar will be the logical choice. 
 
In 2011, we put forward an unsuccessful referendum to replace the Pioneer and make improvements to the Complex.  We heard the message from the residence and we are working to put a plan in place that we can bring back for more discussion.   I will work with our Regional partners to make sure we are working to come up with what the majority wants.
 
There have been many different challenges and obstacles that have faced the city over the last three years.  It is difficult to list and recall all of our successes and failures.  We have had good times and some bad.  I have been there for all of them; I have been open and available.  I don't duck the unpopular decisions and I don't stand alone to take the praise.  I work within a team and I am proud of our work as a group. 
 
If re-elected I pledge to keep working hard to make sure Castlegar's tax rates remain among the lowest in the area.  I will continue to keep the pay as we go policy that was put in place and supported by the councils before us.  I will work with council to make sure that your concerns are heard.  I know how important health care and education are.  I will continue to work out front and behind the scenes to make sure that we don't lose any services without a fight.
 
On Nov. 19, please vote for Russ Hearne.