Incumbent councillor Kevin Jolly, in his own words
By Contributor
My name is Kevin Jolly and I’m a first term Councillor seeking re-election on November 15th. I’m 45 years of age and have been a resident of Trail for 15 years. I am married to my best friend Jeanne Kim and have two children, (Aftin and Hayden). I have been employed in the financial services industry for 20 years and have been with Kootenay Savings for the last 10 years. My current role at (KS) is District Manager for Trail and Warfield. I earned a Master’s Degree in Business Administration (MBA) at Royal Roads University in Victoria, where I was also elected by my peers as Class Representative.
I have been an avid follower of the political realm my entire adult life and finally decided to jump into the political arena with both feet in 2011. During my tenure on council I have held several key positions within the city:
· Chair of Finance, 2012-2013
· Chair of Protective Services 2013-2014
· Alternate Rep, Teck Resources Committee, 2012-2014
· Chair of Greater Trail Home of Champions Society, 2012-2014
· City Rep, DOAC 2012-2014
· Local Governance Rep, 2013-2014
In these roles, I have been integrally involved with the following endeavors:
1. Drafting and negotiating the Economic Development Agreement with Teck (eliminates all previous and future tax appeal claims)
2. Purchase of the Regional Airport (YZZ)
3. Renewal of the Home of Champions Monument
4. Implementation of the Downtown Plan Phases 1 and 2
5. Lobbying of the Ministry of Transportation to install the no post guard rail on the highway at Rock Island
6. Negotiation of the Warfield Recreation & Culture Agreement in 2014
7. Tri-lateral talks at UBCM leading to the Pedestrian Pipe Bridge Agreement in 2014
I believe in focussing on economic development and social initiatives within our community that lead to sustainable growth, independent living and healthy families. I was the Chair of the Lower Columbia Community Development Team (LCCDT) from 2008-2011 and led the organization and my peers in the pursuit of these goals. During that time, the Lower Columbia Initiatives Corporation (LCIC) was created and remains the economic development organization for the communities of the Lower Columbia region. Other key initiatives of the LCCDT during this time included the construction of the KBRH Heliport and the first Attainable Housing Forum for our area.
In summary, I believe that the City of Trail is beginning to embrace the necessary changes we have to make in order to move our community forward. I have worked hard for the residents of Trail for the past three years and, if re-elected, will continue to do so for the next four years. Our community has told us that they want renewal. They want our city to modernize and become a place that their children will want to move back to and raise a family. For this to happen, we need to invest in the infrastructure, amenities and the appearance of our city. We have to do things differently than we used to and embrace new ideas that can propel our city forward. If given the privilege of serving the residents of Trail for another four years, I will work tirelessly towards that vision of a renewed and revitalized community and will support the following initiatives.
1. The improvement of regional relationships with neighboring communities.
2. Expansion of the Trail Regional Airport with construction of a new terminal building.
3. A longer term recreation and culture agreement with the Village of Warfield.
4. A return to the bargaining table with Beaver Valley Recreation group to find a creative solution and get a renewed agreement, as well as find a better solution to the recreation stalemate with Rossland.
5. Finalize the Area A Boundary Extension Agreement with a win/win solution for all parties.
6. Continue to support the Getting to Home homelessness reduction strategy, because it works.
7. Construction of a housing/multi use development on the Esplanade/Columbia River.
8. I am in favor of the Riverfront Centre project and am hopeful that the referendum will pass.
My entire platform is being released over the next two weeks on my website at The Jolly Blogger, www.kevinjolly.ca . Thank you.
Sincerely,
Kevin Jolly
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