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| Wayne Stetski |
Congratulations to Wayne Stetski on his announcement that he will be running for the position of Mayor of Cranbrook in this November's Municipal Election. He was only 204 votes shy of winning in 2008.
The citizens of Cranbrook threw strong support behind Stetski then, and he is looking for a strong voter mandate this fall to support his vision and growth platform for the city.
“Over 46% of voters said they wanted my kind of leadership in 2008. I believe strongly that we simply need to get the word out to more people this time,” said Stetski, a longtime resident of Cranbrook and former Regional Manager of the BC Ministry of Environment.
He says that Cranbrook needs to change its approach to governance in order to really tap into its potential. And collaboration is key to implementing change and capitalizing on opportunities.
“My approach to governance is pretty straight forward,” Stetski explains. “Always represent our citizen’s interests first, and if an idea makes good sense, find a way to get it done and make it happen. We haven’t always had that in the past. As mayor, I’ll make sure that happens.”
“By working together we can achieve a beautiful city, a new stronger economy, and an empowered community” Stetski said.
Wayne is a proven leader with the vision and heart for Cranbrook. He welcomes, respects and learns from diverse opinions and he believes that this open and cooperative approach is critical to bringing Cranbrook together and to building a better future for this world-class location.
“We live in the sunniest city in British Columbia and are surrounded by an incredible environment,” Wayne said. “When you combine that with a progressive college, a regional hospital and airport, our rich First Nations and European history, and the passion that our citizens have for our city, all of the ingredients are there to build a 21st century economy and a healthy community.
“But we’ve got to bring all this together in new and better ways. We need everyone at the table being heard. And then we’ve got go forward with more clarity and intent,” he asserts.
“There are a number of challenges we need to work on including encouraging business that will pay a Livable Wage to keep our kids in Cranbrook; improving our entrances to Cranbrook and making the Hwy 3 strip at least more interesting.
“We have to provide greater incentives for businesses to invest downtown; determine the most appropriate approach to building an underpass or an overpass across the railway tracks; continue improving our roads and infrastructure.
“I believe the best way to do this is to keep general tax increases reasonably low and to let the citizens of Cranbrook decide on what else should be done, and what more they are willing to pay, via referendum. The people have to be heard more clearly.”
Stetski has always believed in giving back to Cranbrook in leadership roles. He has chaired the United Way of Cranbrook and Kimberley, the College of the Rockies University Studies Math and Science Programs Advisory Committee. He was a member of the City’s Advisory Planning Commission, Vice President of the Citizens For A Livable Cranbrook, a Judge for the East Kootenay Regional Science Fair, and is a member of the Chamber of Commerce. He has also been a Scout’s Canada Beaver leader and a volunteer with the Salvation Army Christmas Kettle Program and with his church.
Wayne and his wife Audrey have lived in Cranbrook for 21 years. During that time he has served the people and the environment of the Kootenays as Regional Manager responsible for Provincial Parks, Fish and Wildlife and Ecosystems and has managed multi-million dollar annual budgets. He was Co-chair of the Fish and Wildlife Compensation Program for the Columbia Basin, and sat as the Provincial Authority Member for Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area. He has experience working in the non-profit sector as Manager of the East Kootenay Conservation Program. In 2004 Mr. Stetski was recognized provincially for his ability to bring people together when he and his staff received a Premier’s Award for Promoting Innovation and Excellence in Partnerships.
Wayne believes in healthy kids and a healthy community. He has served as a Manager and Coach with Cranbrook Minor Hockey and Minor Ball and has been a Manager and player on several Slo-pitch ball teams. He also loves to hike, mountain bike, camp, curl and cross-country ski, and has been a Kootenay Ice Season Ticket holder for eight years.
“We need to do all we can to encourage healthy activities and to move further on becoming a safe cycling and walking community. That means linking Cranbrook together with sidewalks and trails and expanding the network linking North Star Rails to Trails to the Rotary Trail and to the Trans Canada Trail System. It would also be great to have a Bike Skills Park in Cranbrook,” Stetski says.
Fewer than 4500 votes were cast in the election for Mayor in 2008. Wayne would really like to see a much higher voter turnout this election.
“It is really important to Cranbrook’s future that citizens get out and vote via mail-in ballot (new this year), at the Advance Polls on October 27, November 9 and 16, or during the general election on November 19. The best way to see a new vision in place for Cranbrook and its future is for voters, including new voters, to head to the polls and vote for a leader with the vision and heart who is truly connected to the people of Cranbrook!”
If you would like to learn more about Mr. Stetski’s background, qualifications and platform, go to his website www.stetski.com, look for him on Facebook, follow him on Twitter, email him at wayne@stetski.com or phone him at 250.919.1834.
For further information:
Wayne Stetski
250. 919.1834
www.stetski.com
Very pleased to hear this news. Congrats and Good Luck. Cranbrook needs you.
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