My name is Paul Denchuk.  It is with a drive for change that I have put my name forward as a candidate for Invermere’s municipal council.

I have been a resident of the valley since 1992 when I left Winnipeg and moved to Panorama to take a job as a snowmaker.  Since then, I have put down firm roots in Invermere.  I am proud to be raising my daughter, Virginia in Invermere, with my wife, Meredith Hamstead.

My career in the valley has taken me from snowmaker to a self-employed Red Seal journeyman carpenter and civil engineering technologist.

I have had the honour of volunteering my time with a number of organizations in the community, such as the Columbia River Greenways Alliance, the Jumbo Creek Conservation Society, and the Little Badger’s Early Learning Centre.  I am an avid skier and hiker and I have a deep respect for this community, its people, and its environment.

My desire to represent the residents of Invermere on council comes from a sense that the valley may be the best place on earth, but that Invermere faces significant challenges as our community matures.  I am committed to ensuring that the inherent quality of our community is protected, one decision at a time, as we wrestle with the economic and social pressures and opportunities that come from being a desirable place to live.

Invermere has so many strengths that support our natural prosperity: we have incredible people, a beautiful and healthy environment, and solid economic opportunity.  But it seems to me that in order to maintain our prosperity into the future, we must regain our focus today.  As a member of a strong council I will ensure that we implement the plans that we make; that we re-build a clear vision of where we are trying to get to; and that we work to regain the trust of Invermere’s residents by honouring the commitments we make to you.

As a member of your elected council, I will work to help our community re-establish an inspired focus by revisiting the Official Community Plan so that it can guide us into a genuinely prosperous future.

I am committed to:

–      transparency in government: the same rules should apply to everyone;

–      effective government: if a plan gets adopted, it should get implemented;

–      developing and pursuing creative strategies to achieve a prosperous future for every person in this community;

–      protecting the natural values that make Invermere the best place on earth; and

–      to building a culture of strong elected leadership supported by strong staff.

I have a lot of ideas about how Invermere can become more prosperous while keeping our world class environment in good health.  But I also want to hear from you.  I hope you’ll get in touch with me at 250-342-5223 or at [email protected].

Paul Denchuk

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