Warner runs again on an
independent path
Local journalist
and first-term City Council member Gerry Warner says he’d like to serve another
term as an independent on Cranbrook City Council.
“My constituency
on Council is the people of Cranbrook, who I believe deserve an independent
representative who puts their needs first and is not afraid to be contrary
representing their concerns.”
Warner says he
demonstrated his independence the past term by publicly criticizing Council,
including himself, for making an in-camera decision to cull deer prior to it
being revealed to the public. “I don’t think people on either side of the urban
deer debate liked that decision being in-camera and it’s a mistake I’m not going
to repeat.”
The one-term
Council member also opposed Council’s initial decision to demolish the former
Water and Electrical Building behind City Hall on the basis it had heritage
value. “I realize some disagree with me on this, but when a citizens’ group came
forward with a plan to save the building, I supported them because if they
succeed this could be part of a move towards downtown
revitalization.”
As a member of
the City’s Cranbrook in Motion Committee, Warner moved a motion which resulted
in Council lowering the posted speed limit to 30 kph in all school zones in the
City. He also moved motions in opposition to Canada Post ending door-to-door
mail delivery, privatization of provincial liquor stores, cancellation of the
Meals on Wheels program and in favour of stronger legal measures to protect
workers on the job.
Near the end of
his term, Warner introduced a notice of motion calling for a City bylaw to
regulate the dumping of harmful substances in the City’s storm sewer system with
penalties for polluters. “It only makes sense to protect it
from harmful substances being dumped into the storm sewers which may be
responsible for recent fish kills in Joseph Creek.”
Warner promises
the same kind of representation if he’s elected again. “I believe we’ve got to
do more to upgrade our basic infrastructure and provide the services our
residents need, especially seniors, while marketing Cranbrook to the rest of the
world to boost business. It won’t be easy but we must try.”
To do this,
Warner says he’d like to see a boost in the roads maintenance budget with the
funds coming from other City spending and not by raising taxes. “It will be a
tough decision but that’s what we’re elected to do.”
The City should
also take a tougher stand with Victoria on funding to deal with urban deer.
Warner says. “The deer are owned by the Province and it’s time Victoria stepped
up to the plate and provided the funding we need to make our streets safe
again.”
Warner was a
reporter with the Cranbrook Townsman for 15 years before retiring and being
elected to Council. He served on the board of the Railway Museum for three
years, was President of the East Kootenay Outdoor Club for five years, is a
member of the Joseph Creek Streamkeepers and an active Rotarian. He has been
married to wife Sandra for 29 years and the couple have two grown children.
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