Home »
Downtown business owner eyes council seat
Mike Peabody, family man and co-owner of The Choice Shop, Cranbrook’s Business of the year (for one to 15 employees), is one of eight people running for the Cranbrook city council vacated by Kootenay East MLA Tom Shypitka.
As a resident of Cranbrook for 26 years, Peabody knows why people enjoy living here. It is a great place to raise a family, and offers a tremendous amount of outdoor recreation right in our backyard. He cares deeply and passionately about the community. He acknowledges that the residents of Cranbrook have been the key to his success, and now it is time for Peabody to give back. He believes that being on City Council is not about politics, it is about public service. It is about doing what you can to make Cranbrook a safer, happier, more enjoyable place to live for everybody.
Peabody grew up in Cranbrook. He went to Muriel Baxter Elementary, Laurie Jr. High, Mt. Baker Secondary schools, and College of the Rockies. Peabody then left Cranbrook to finish his Business Degree with a Major in Human Resource Management at the University of New Brunswick in Fredericton. He was selected for the Honours Program to further his Human Resource education at MacQuarie University in Sydney, Australia.
While his education and life brought him across Canada and the world, Peabody chose Cranbrook as his home; where he is a loving husband to Lindsay Peabody, and father to their two young daughters.
He recognizes the challenge that many young families face in balancing careers and the well-being of their children. It is this reason that Peabody will be a strong advocate for youth and young families. With plans to work, play, and retire in Cranbrook; he also has a strong desire to advocate for a healthy community that supports positive lifestyle for seniors.
As a businessperson, Peabody understands the “Open for Business” ideology. He intends to continue to share the message, that our citizens support new business, big and small. He will continue to support local entrepreneurs, while working with the current council to attract large industry that will provide jobs. As a local business owner himself, he has demonstrated the ability to be innovative, and creative – all with the support of local residents.
Some examples of Peabody’s work would be free skate competitions every Thursday night in July, video premiers every fall at Key City Theatre in order to raise money for different charities, fighting his business partner in the boxing ring for the Charity Fight Night, and most recently raising bail money for Cops for Kids.
Beyond helping run a successful local business, Peabody is an active member of the Downtown Business Association (DBA). He has made continued contributions to the DBA, most notably, organizing the Downtown wide ‘Shop Til You Drop’ Event, and the #downtowncranbrook campaign; as well as acting as an advocate for downtown patios. Working with members of the DBA, Peabody actively improves the downtown business community, builds on Cranbrook’s vibrancy, and influences foot traffic.
Peabody believes that Cranbrook needs strong leaders who come to the table with ideas. He looks forward to being an independent voice on the council, and will act as an ear and a voice for all city residents; including our youth, our seniors, and our growing diverse communities. If elected, Peabody’s priorities will be increasing traffic on the public bus system, addressing vacant commercial lots and buildings, advocating for local recreation, forest fire prevention (specifically the Cranbrook Fire Interface Project), and continuing his support to Make Idlewild Great Again.
Peabody is proud of the current council’s progress with the roads and infrastructure, and will do what he can to ensure the progress continues.
More information on Mike Peabody’s platform can be found on Facebook, at www.facebook.com/peabodyforcouncil; or by contacting Mike directly at [email protected]
The City of Cranbrook by-election is October 21.
Submitted by Mike Peabody
