Q & A with city council candidates: what made you decide to run for a spot on council?

The nominations are in and campaigning has begun for the upcoming civic election taking place Oct. 20, 2018. As part of our coverage here at the Mountaineer, civic affairs reporter Melissa Jameson and former Revelstoke Review editor Alex Cooper have teamed up to create a comprehensive list of questions for the candidates. These questions cover a wide-variety of issues that are likely to be central to the election.

Over the coming weeks this question and answer series will feature candidates verbatim answers to a number of topics covering everything from housing to the environment, community development and more.

In this first edition of the series we asked council candidates the following question:

Tell us a bit about yourself and what made you decide to run for a spot on Revelstoke City Council?

The following are the responses from the candidates who got back to us prior to our publication deadline.

Gary Sulz (candidate for mayor)

Currently a city councillor, Gary Sulz is running for mayor in the upcoming Oct. 20 election. Photo: Gary Sulz.

For me, Gary Sulz running for Mayor of Revelstoke is a natural progression. I have served this community as a funeral director for the past 34 years. Working in this profession allows me to meet residents of all walks of life and understand their needs and concerns. I have also served with the RCMP Auxiliary program for 10 years from 1991-2001 and as Emergency Social Services Director for the past four years. I have served one term on City Council 2014-2018 and having lived in this community for many years, I have seen the changes, heard the concerns and understand the problems we face through growth and transition from resource-based economy to an adrenalin-based economy.

Michael Brooks-Hill (candidate for council)

Michael Brooks-Hill is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Michael Brooks-Hill.

My name is Michael Brooks-Hill and I have lived in Revelstoke since 2003. Not a long time in the local pecking order, but long enough to have witnessed a rapid transformation. I came here originally for work (treeplanting), to ski and spend time with my family. The years passed, and as I travelled, I began to realize that I had never really found a better place than Revelstoke. In the last election, I ran for Mayor because I wanted to see change in both the tone, and the trajectory of our town’s development.

I am running again because I still see large segments of the town that are not being represented at the council table. Revelstoke is growing, but we need to ensure that we know what we wish to become.We are reaching a crucial time in the development of our town. I feel it is very important that as we move forward, we do so with all of the residents in mind.

Peter Humphreys (candidate for council)

Peter Humprheys is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Peter Humphreys.

Almost 20 years ago, the opportunity arose to buy Hooker Shell (now Big Eddy Fuel) and we jumped at the opportunity. We sold everything and moved to Revelstoke to run a trucking business. Revelstoke has always gone through big economic swings due to dam, railway or highway construction. When we moved to town, it was at the bottom of one of its’ cycles. Houses were cheap, few new homes were being built and the highway and snowmobiling was our only tourism. Our kids had the full K-12 experience here and have now moved away.

Fast forward to today when forestry is booming, the railway is busy and tourists are flocking to visit our mountain gem. The saying, “Make hay while the sun is shining” is very relevant today. We must take advantage of this boom and set ourselves up for the inevitable bust. I believe we have been holding back progress, not in the name of protecting our community but due to the lack of leadership, communication and organization. I have commented publicly, for the last several years on local issues. Running for Council is a logical next step in my progression.

I like crunchy peanut butter over smooth.

Tim Palmer (candidate for council)

Tim Palmer is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council.

I have over 25 years experience in all aspects of local government from operations to administration. My formal education includes Business Administration (MBA, Royal Roads),Local Government Management (Capilano University), Trades (Red Seal Millwright and Electrician), Electrical Technology (BCIT). In my younger years I worked in trades in construction and manufacturing. For the past four years I have run a successful business helping local governments to perform better

I am running for City Council to:

1. Ensure decisions are based on complete information.
2. Improve accountability and transparency.
3. Protect and enhance our natural surroundings and culture.

I want to help the Revelstoke Council and the City of Revelstoke administration and operations to perform better.

Specifically, I see a need for

1. better public engagement and feedback on issues including, Development Cost Charges (DCCs), wastewater solutions, and community development.
2. protection and enhancement of parks, trails, and natural amenities.
3. decision making with residents interests first: including timely processing of permits,expansion of arts, and affordable housing. We need to protect our unique social fabric and provide more accountability in spending.

Gary Starling (candidate for council)

Gary Starling is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Gary Starling.

I came to Revelstoke in 1980 on a holiday. After only a few days, I decided this is where I wanted to be. In October of that year I took a job with CP Rail and worked there until January of 2013. I retired as a locomotive engineer. I also was very involved with the union for the last 8 years or so. My duties with the union included both Secretary Treasurer and Legislative Representative. As Legislative Representative I became familiar with several different government agencies. This experience served me well previously on council.

I ran for council successfully in 2011 and, I am again seeking a seat on council. I have a great passion for Revelstoke that has never wavered since I first came here. My first term on council was a very good experience. I worked diligently to try to improve our community in many ways.

Steve Kent (candidate for council)

Steve Kent is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Keri Knapp.

I’m running for city council because I feel I can do a good job of it.

With 14 years of experience working in the Provincial government (BC Parks), I am comfortable making decisions in a team environment and am used to the challenges encountered within bureaucratic processes.  In addition, my 16 years of experience as a local contractor have given me an insight into the character of our community and a practical, pragmatic approach to problem solving.

I have lived in many communities over the years and, as such, have developed an open minded, objective perspective which I feel would be valuable to council and the community. The next 4 years will, in all likelihood, come with many important decisions for Revelstoke and I would like to have the opportunity to be part of that process.

Cody Younker (candidate for council)

Cody Younker is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Cody Younker.

My Name is Cody Younker and I have lived in Revelstoke since 2015. I instantly fell in love with this community and since that time, have changed jobs and purchased a house downtown in order to remain a part of Revelstoke. I decided to run for Council as I believe public service is a great way to give back to the community and I feel that the current council hasn’t done a very good job of truly listening to its electorate. Revelstoke is currently at a crossroads where we can either continue to go down the path of spend and tax, spend and tax or we can begin to reign in our spending, slow the rate of taxation, encourage sustainable economic development and thus begin to solve the affordability crisis that we currently face.

Steve Cross (candidate for council)

Steve Cross is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Steve Cross.

Growing up in a small rural town I discovered early how important nature and being outside was. My passion for the outdoors remains strong to this day.

I studied environmental science and sustainability and later I studied accounting and worked with my father in his business. Later still, I did graduate studies and received my MBA degree from Queens University.

As an entrepreneur the “school of hard knocks” taught me much. I know what it is to build something only to lose it, and I know what it is to pick myself up and build it again.

I always do whatever I can to make things better. At Mountain Equipment Co-op I led the development of a collaborative team-based service culture and helped champion sustainability and green roof projects. While at the Canadian Centre for Ethics I wrote the business case for ethical leadership.

I decided to run for office out of a deep love for what Revelstoke is and a deep respect for the work of others who made that happen. We have a lot of challenges coming at us and I believe that my experience with governance, working collaboratively and dealing with change, can help make a difference.

Nicole Cherlet (candidate for council)

Nicole Cherlet is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Nicole Cherlet.

I come from a background in hospitality, service and education. I grew up in Winnipeg, traveled some after university, and settled here in Revelstoke almost 10 years ago, when the recession hit the world. My husband and I originally came for the snow we’d heard so much about, but we stayed because of the amazing community we met the following summer.

I’ve worked in various restaurants and shops, while trying to figure out how to make Revelstoke a home that we could afford. Like many who work in service, we’ve struggled to make ends meet. I embraced my inner entrepreneur, and bought Big Mountain Kitchen & Linen at the start of 2014. This was made possible with the support of Community Futures and Deenie, the previous owner (when it was well-known as Chantilly Kitchen).

I’ve always felt strongly that it’s up to each of us to volunteer and engage to make the world that we want to live in. I’ve volunteered with the Chamber of Commerce and the Revelstoke Local Food Initiative for several years, and lately have been feeling that my voice could better serve my community from the Council Chambers.

Tony Morabito (candidate for council)

Tony Morabito is running for a spot on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Tony Morabito.

I’ve resided in Revelstoke since 1952 and currently live downtown with my wife Ila of 50 plus years. I retired in 2015 after careers in both the public and private sectors with the Dept. of Highways,several logging companies and a short stint in Heavy construction as a labourer,machine operator and supervisor. My interests include hockey,skiing and fishing. Being the first president of the Grizzlies hockey club I am extremely proud the team is still operating in the KIJHL since the 93/94 inaugural season . Since retirement I have been involved with construction of the roundabout, heli-pad and Nordic club upgrades. My experience with snow removal,construction and maintenance related activities should serve the community well in the decision processes involving City related activities. I decided to run in order to add a reasonable voice to the complex issues facing this community.

Aaron Orlando (candidate for council)

Current city councillor Aaron Orlando is looking to get re-elected to council. Photo: Aaron Orlando.

I am a goals-oriented person and wish to accomplish several specific community goals. These include consultative sustainable community development, housing affordability and availability, long-term municipal and regional planning, community consultation and engagement, and sustainable infrastructure development. I’ll expand on two.

For one, housing affordability is a key issue in Revelstoke. I serve as a director on the Revelstoke Community Housing Society Board, which is developing a 21-unit affordable rental housing unit near the BCAS station and successfully partnered with the Columbia Basin Trust and the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing to attract approximately $5 million for the project. In October of 2017 I presented a motion at council for the development of a long-term affordable housing strategy and options for a creation of an independent housing authority in Revelstoke, and those plans should be ready for council consideration in the coming months.

As a second example, completing an Official Community Plan update and zoning bylaw update are the key first steps for laying the groundwork for sustainable development. Many of the development-related concerns expressed by residents and the development community stem from the lack of certainty created by these outdated documents, which leads to bottlenecks and inefficient processes.

Jackie Rhind (candidate for council)

Jackie Rhind is running for a spot on Revestoke city council. Photo: Jackie Rhind

I am running for city council because I want people from my demographic to have an outlet to express themselves and bring our concerns to the table. I have not lived here for 35 years and I do not have 20 years of city council experience. However, I have put down many roots in Revelstoke since moving a few years ago and I have zero intention of leaving; my story is not uncommon and I think it’s time we have someone on council representing a large group of people that are too busy working and trying to afford living here that they aren’t able to attend council meetings.

Rob Elliot is running for a seat on Revelstoke city council. Photo: Rob Elliot.

Fifteen years ago my family and I moved to Revelstoke from the town of Canmore.  Canmore in turn was a 10 year stopover after exiting Calgary and a corporate accounting career with Canada Safeway and a private bankruptcy firm. With accounting left behind: I’ve since created and operated several businesses, from restaurant/cafes to modular home rebuilding; I’ve managed two mechanized snow cat operations; I’ve worked as a lead ski guide; I’ve held the general managers’ role at Revelstoke Mountain Resort and I’ve even done time as a timber faller.  A small housing development currently maintains my attention with progress pending subdivision finalization..

The issues prevalent in 2003 Canmore were in many ways similar to the concerns Revelstoke now faces: skyrocketing home prices, affordability, worker shortages, infrastructure inadequacies, black windows (absentee home owners), and loss of town identity. In 2003, Canmore had no clear plan to address the town’s rampant growth. Consequences made running businesses in the community challenging, altered the town’s makeup and created strains in many areas. Revelstoke can be different. I want to participate on Revelstoke’s city council to ensure we welcome change/growth without fear and create a sustainable community shaped with intent.

The Mountaineer has made several attempts to contact mayoral candidate Darcy Wyonzek. We will update this story to include her answers once we have heard from her.