Jim Wavrecan is one of the longest serving municipal politicians in the East Kootenay.

And this Nov. 19 he is putting his 21-years of experience on the line as he steps away from City of Cranbrook council, which he’s been a member of for seven straight terms, dating back to 1987, to run for mayor.

The city is going to have a new mayor following the election as Scott Manjak is moving to Sparwood.

Wavrecan joins past mayoral candidates Wayne Stetski and John York, and downtown businessman Pat O’Connell on the ballot as choices for Cranbrook residents.

With guaranteed changes to council, with Manjak’s departure and Coun. Liz Schatschneider opting not to run again, Wavrecan says his experience will be a benefit to the city.

“There are many challenges both seen and unforeseen ahead. Each challenge is an opportunity to strengthen and improve our community. I would like to lead Cranbrook for the next three years. I have the experience and understanding of what it takes to move us forward. As leader of a strong team at city hall, combined with the citizens of Cranbrook, we can remain flexible and open to all the opportunities that will come our way,” Wavrecan stated.

“The goals remain the same: a safe community, a place for families where there are good paying jobs, our classrooms are full, our businesses are successful and our children can stay and work in the community. A place where education and health care are within reach and we can enjoy all that our area has to provide,” he added.

Wavrecan moved to Cranbrook from the Lower Mainland, in 1975 – seeking to raise his family “in an environment that was safe and that provided all the amenities a family could ask for.”

He worked for the school district, at first, driving a bus and he also started his own business, 4 Cities Driving School. He sold his business seven years later and remains with the school district, serving as manager of transportation and safety.

“Cranbrook has always offered me an opportunity to invest in myself, my family and my community. My initial decision to run for council was based on the opportunity to be a part of this exciting city and play a part in the future.”

The city has grown from ‘The Key City,’ with a population of 13,000, to ‘Mountains of Opportunity,’ with a population of about 19,000 in that time.

Wavrecan has played a role in numerous city projects, including the Key City Theatre, the library, Elizabeth Lake, the cycle/walk path master plan, the skateboard park, college expansion, the establishment and expansion of transit, two downtown development projects and a number of projects involving roads, expansions, rail crossings, water, sewer, fire/police protection, parks and, he noted “for 21 years, budget preparations.”

Most recently, Wavrecan has received unanimous council endorsement of his proposal to create two economic development zones, under the Community Charter’s Revitalization Program.

He explained the two zones this way: “One, all property owners of residential lots within residential zones where single family dwellings are permitted who renovate their properties to develop legal, conforming secondary suites, will be eligible for tax relief from the increased value of their properties, as a result of their renovations, for a period of five years.

“And two, all property owners whose property lay within what is called the Downtown Parking Area, who invest into renovations of existing buildings or construction of new buildings will be eligible for municipal property tax relief from the increased value of their properties as a result of their renovations or new construction, for a period of five years.”

Wavrecan said he believes this initiative will “encourage compliance with our forthcoming bylaw, provide safe, affordable housing and be an economic driver for the trade community. The intent is to attract new investment in our downtown core and again be an economic driver for Cranbrook. Both these initiatives will not have a negative effect on our existing tax base.

“I believe in Cranbrook and more specifically, I believe in the future of our city,” he said, echoing the city’s current brand.

“To take advantage of the opportunities that come our way we must remain open to the possibilities. Without this flexibility, we would not have a Rec Plex, a theatre, a college, a regional hospital nor even the rails to trails facility.

“To be sustainable, we must remain a city that is an investment opportunity to the development community. We have created many new bylaws to direct development and protect our interests but we must convey ourselves as open for business. My door will always be open to investment in Cranbrook. We will find a way to make it happen while protecting both our citizens’ interests and securing investment,” he said.

Other opportunities the city should be pursuing include the “fly-out, fly home option for northern workers using Integra Air, continuing the development of our biofuel project and assisting the College of the Rockies in its efforts to attain university status.”

Wavrecan noted that city infrastructure also remains a key focal point.

“Having completed our Asset Management Plan, we must stay on course to follow the plan. The plan is a detailed process to replace our aging infrastructure. It identifies the areas most in need and provides a step-by-step guide to getting the greatest impact of our dollar. This plan, in conjunction with our dedication expansion to the road budget and our leak detection program, will result in expanded road work, more reliable infrastructure and will see us reach our target of a 20% reduction in water consumption. These are all areas the community has told us are important,” he said.

Continuing communications with Cranbrook residents is also a must, Wavrecan said.

“As mayor, I will schedule six town hall meetings a year to provide public interaction. The general public will determine the theme of each meeting by making suggestions at city hall. This will provide a more complete understanding of specific issues if interest to the public,” he said.

Ian Cobb/e-KNOW

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