City of Cranbrook Mayor Wayne Stetski announced this morning (June 11) that he intends to seek re-election.

With city media assembled outside city hall, Stetski stated he wants to keep building on what’s been started the past three years.

“I have really enjoyed working for the citizens of Cranbrook and therefore am announcing today that I will be seeking re-election as mayor on November 15,” he said.

“We are making good progress on removing barriers to business, on making Cranbrook more accessible for those with mobility challenges, on working towards a youth friendly community, on improving roads and other infrastructure, on supporting the arts and multiculturalism, in beautifying Cranbrook, and in ensuring positive communications between the city and residents. With the blessing of the community I want to see these improvements continue,” Stetski said.

The past 2.5 years have been kind, he continued. “In 2012 I received the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal for ‘contributions to Canada.’ In 2013 and 2014 I was pleased to be recognized by the people of Cranbrook with the Readers Choice Silver Award for ‘favourite local politician’ (Black Press), and was singled out by Cranbrook youth as being youth friendly in their 2014 survey. While I am honoured by the recognition, what is important to me is the underlying messaging that we’re on the right track.”

Stetski said working with city staff, council and city residents has resulted in “significant accomplishments this term.” (Click here for Stetski’s take on some of those accomplishments.)

“Over the upcoming five months I am looking forward to hearing what the people think my priorities should be for the next four years and then delivering on them. Together – let’s keep Cranbrook going, and growing, forward,” he said.

While no other candidate has formally stepped forward as a challenger for the mayor’s gavel, Stetski offered some advice to anyone considering it.

“The number one thing is patience,” he said, explaining he quickly learned after being elected to his first term in 2011 was that there was a lot he wanted to get done but couldn’t because the necessary money isn’t there.

“You won’t change the world overnight. It takes time to bring change,” he said.

Another trait a mayor or mayoral candidate should possess, he suggested, is an unyielding ability to work with people.

“You really need to like people – unhappy as well as happy,” he said, adding, “I’ve really tried to focus on making everybody welcome at city hall.”

Another important point people need to realize, if they want to be the city’s mayor, Stetski said, is don’t come in believing it is a part-time job.

“This is not a part-time job,” he said, pointing out he has spent between 40 to 55 hours a week on the job since being elected.

A glance at his weekly day-planner shows a litany of meetings and events he must attend, and more he choses to attend.

Through it all, Stetski said he has learned to keep his focus on the tasks on at hand.

“There are lots of things to drag your focus away,” he said.

Above photo: Audrey and Wayne Stetski in front of city hall this morning, June 11.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

Article Share