Current job/career: I retired in 2015 after careers in the public sector with Department of Highways and private sector with Heavy Construction and the Logging Industry. Since retirement, I have worked on the Roundabout, QVH Heli-pad and the Nordic Club upgrades to the parking lot expansion and trails.
Why do you live in Revelstoke?
Revelstoke is a great place to live because of the boundless outdoor activities available in all seasons, personally I enjoy the skiing, hockey, fishing, hunting, and mushroom picking. Having immigrated from Italy my family settled on a farm adjacent to the Columbia River, near the north end of the present Airport. I attended school and have worked here except for some post secondary schooling in 1966 at Greer Technical Institute in Braidwood Illinois. Returning to the USA in 1967 where I met my wife got married and in 1968 we decided to move back to Canada which has been a great place to live, work and raise a family. Outdoor recreational opportunities abound. My Immediate family all live here and I can’t see myself residing anywhere else.
Why are you running for council?
I am running for council because I believe I can work with the New Mayor and Council to Guide Revelstoke into the future by arriving at common sense decisions regarding development, infrastructure needs, cultural initiatives and historical events. I am a good listener, have the time and desire to make a difference in Revelstoke’s future.
Why do you think you are qualified for the job?
Although public speaking is certainly not one of my strong points, I can make informed decisions on the many issues facing this community by listening and weighing the consequences, before voting. My work experience in middle management working with my Manager to execute plans for Road Construction, Maintenance and Log Harvesting operations by staying within specified budgets will be beneficial for this job.
What do you think the city should do to fund current and future infrastructure needs?
To fund infrastructure for current and future needs I think this should be a combination of DCC’s ,Taxation, Government grants and would look into the feasibility of paid parking zones in the downtown core.
What do you think the city should do to address affordability for the average citizen?
To address affordability for the average citizen I think the City should promote building apartments on the Begbie School property and a Senior living facility in the style of Selkirk Gardens/Nim’s Manor developments. Look into opportunities for more subsidized housing units with the Housing Society. Encourage employer participation in purchasing employee housing and perhaps the Columbia Grardens property would be a good candidate for this endeavor? I’m sure most of these options have been considered in the past but worth having a conversation over. Affordability of food item’s is another issue to be addressed and another Grocery store in the Downtown core or the Arrow heights area would increase competition and help moderate prices. Personally I like the Arrow heights option because it would help relieve Airportway traffic congestion especially if residents can shop there.
What other issues would you want addressed if you were elected?
Parking issues especially obstructing snow removal crews from doing their jobs efficiently by not moving their vehicles as per the posted signs must be addressed before another winter is upon us. I think snow clearing plans need to be communicated to residents so they have time to move their vehicles to adjacent side roads that will be plowed later and a simple call to the towing companies to move any offending vehicles to their compounds. I believe this action would result in significant snow removal cost savings by helping crews doing their jobs unimpeded and relieve the stress level worrying about damaging these offending vehicles. Lets help City workers as former Mayor Battersby once referred to it as Cadillac Service do it as efficiently as possible again.