A long-time city service club member and health inspector is throwing his hat into the ring to run for City of Cranbrook council in the Nov. 15 election.

Ron Popoff, a 25-year Cranbrook resident, announced Sept. 29 that he would be picking up a nomination package from the city.

Popoff says he is ready to represent city residents after having worked extensively with city business owners and managers and the government system as a health inspector.

“As your Health Inspector I spent the first 10 years engaging with the business community and the public to provide for a safe and healthy community including restaurant inspections, drinking water quality, and communicable disease prevention. I was integrally involved in the mosquito West Nile Virus program and spearheaded the local smoke free bar and restaurant initiative. Since that time I have managed the Kootenay region utilizing my leadership, strategic planning, budgeting, program performance, and labour relations skills. I know how government functions and I know how to navigate for success,” Popoff stated.

“I am taking a new avenue in my life and as I approach retirement it is my desire to continue to serve the community. I want to take an active role with the Cranbrook city council and would like to represent you as one of your councilors.”

Popoff and wife Joanna, a teacher, came to the city to “enjoy the majestic mountains and healthy lifestyle provided by this great community and to raise our family,” he said.

An attachment to the city and its people led Popoff to extensive service club work.

“I am proud of my years of involvement with Kinsmen and now with the Rotary Club of Cranbrook, servicing many of the community’s greatest needs,” he said, noting he served on the Board of Directors of both organizations and provided guidance and support to many local service agencies within the community.

“In Kinsmen, I chaired the Kinsmen Quad Light-up, and was president during the Kinsmen Kiddie Spray Park development. Now with Rotary I have the major projects and donations directorship focusing on expansion of Rotary Way within Cranbrook and connecting to the North Star Trail to Kimberley and other regional trails, the Seniors Christmas Dinner, our Rotary Scott Villa, providing affordable seniors living, and donations to numerous worthy organizations like the Cranbrook Food Bank. This has afforded me the chance to be a part of change; to improve our community and help those in need is very important and has been a most gratifying experience,” Popoff said.

“For me building our community is all about growth,” he said.

“We need to help entrepreneurs successfully establish and expand their business in Cranbrook. My research suggests our business community desires city hall to coordinate and guide entrepreneurs through this challenging process of forms, rules and permits to success.

“More successful businesses means more jobs, which means our children don’t need to leave Cranbrook to find work. More jobs mean a broader tax base so less need to raise taxes. More prosperity means we can afford to support community organizations to make Cranbrook a livable community. And more prosperity means we can fix more of those all too familiar (infamous) potholes!

“The combination of my professional, family and community volunteer experiences have given me a broad Cranbrook perspective that I will bring to council and ultimately help grow our community.”

Popoff’s daughter Laura is currently completing the business program at the College of the Rockies and starting her business career at the St. Eugene Resort and his son David is also attending the college’s business program.

“Over the years I have volunteered in many of our children’s school and club activities and as a result became knowledgeable about the issues and many challenges that face both schools and clubs,” he pointed out.

An election slogan attached to Popoff’s announcement, distributed by campaign chair Tom Kirk, declares, “I want to work for YOU.”

Popoff concluded that he is looking forward to engaging with the public during the campaign.

“I welcome your comments and suggestions to build our community together. If you have questions, comments or concerns, please feel free to contact me at [email protected].”

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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