Castlegar Mayoral Candidate Florio Vassilakakis, in his own words
By Florio Vassilakakis
Both my parent’s families immigrated to Canada and like most during the post war era, they came here for opportunity and a better future for their children. They arrived with nothing but a dream and a strong work ethic, something that they would later pass on to me. As a first generation Canadian I have a deep appreciation for the struggles and risk that my grandparents took and am grateful for the perspective that that has given me.
While I was born in Vancouver and raised in Penticton, I have now spent as much of my 43 years of life in Castlegar as in my hometown. I might be a transplant, but my passion for this community and the people in it, is undeniable.
Shortly after graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree from UBC, I arrived in Castlegar to expand our family’s successful Okanagan based businesses. Since then, I have made further investments in the downtown core providing affordable residential and commercial real estate rentals, in addition to operating the restaurant at the Castlegar Golf Club. I have committed myself to this city and have shown myself to be an upstanding corporate citizen giving back to the community that has supported my family over the last 17 years.
Over the past few years, our family has continued to lay down our roots here. I along with my wonderfully supportive wife Rebecca feel privileged to be raising our three beautiful children in such a tight knit community. We have enjoyed watching them grow up in a place that provides them with so many opportunities.
I was first elected as a City Councillor in a 2013 by-election and have been committed to serving the taxpayers and our citizens ever since. I have shown that I am ready to lead. I may be the youngest candidate, but I have the experience, skillset, commitment and energy that the position requires. I do my homework, I have a deep understanding of the issues and I have a progressive vision. We are on the right path and we have more work to do. I am ready to see us through the challenge.
Council & Governance Experience
3 terms as City Councillor of Castlegar. Elected 2013, Re-Elected 2014 & 2018
Chair of all Standing Committees of Council
Regional District of Central Kootenay Recreation Commissioner
Castlegar & District Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Castlegar Golf Club Board of Directors
Business Recognition
Chamber of Commerce award winner:
2006 Best New Business
2007 Food & Beverage Excellence Award
2007 Business of the Year
2010 Food & Beverage Excellence Award
2010 Business Person of the Year
Kootenay Business Magazine:
2011 Top 10 Business People of Kootenays – https://kootenaybiz.com/10people/article/florio-vassilakakis
2016 Top 40 Under 40 Business People of Kootenays – http://kootenaybiz.com/40…/article/florio_vassilakakis
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