Craig Janzen is another candidate for the vacant Kimberley City Council seat, which will be filled in a by-election on September 21, 2024.
Janzen ran for council in the last election and narrowly missed out on gaining a seat.
Craig has lived in Kimberley for 10 years and over those 10 years, hoping to relieve some of the pressures families are feeling in today’s market, has been steadily developing affordable long-term family rental homes in Kimberley. He also works full-time in management for Canada Post in Kimberley and Cranbrook.
“My main platform,” he said, “is that I want to represent all tax payers and residents. What I mean by this is that I do my research, work logically and transparently, when it comes to difficult issues that affect some greater than others and then take the time to listen to all of our community, even those who may care deeply for Kimberley but have a quiet voice.”
Regarding the decision last year to deny a drive-through restaurant/gas station until such time as the city developed a policy for that type of development, Janzen says that much of the Council discussion on the issue took place at an in-camera level.
“As a result I am not privy to information that would be essential in taking a stance. I am confident that the men and women who have been entrusted to steward our city resources with a mind toward our strategic priorities, are doing so in a principled manner and with the level of transparency that is appropriate.
“My commitment is to work collaboratively with the Mayor, City Council and City Staff to effectively represent the residents and business owners who call Kimberly home – especially when approaching similar contentious issues that come up in the future.”
Janzen says he wants to continue to support development of a well-planned, well-maintained, and integrated system of trails and pathways to support healthy active living and tourism opportunities while minimizing impact on watersheds and environmentally sensitive areas and build support for ongoing protection and stewardship of these special places.
He himself is a strong advocate for active and healthy lifestyles.
“It will be imperative to support and encourage community partners, such as the Kimberley Nature Park Society, Kimberley Nordic Club, Kimberley Trail Society, NorthStar Rails to Trails Society, and other community members in the promotion, enhancement, construction and maintenance of trails."
With an entrepreneurial and business background, Janzen wants to continue to grow and promote Kimberley as a tourism destination and an affordable attractive community to balance livelihood and lifestyle by supporting initiatives that attract new businesses and retain existing businesses to encourage expansion of employment opportunities and diversify the City's tax base thereby allowing residents to remain in the community.
Having worked developing rental properties in Kimberley, he wants to continue to improve housing diversity and affordability.
“This is achieved by prioritizing a greater variety of housing types, sizes and densities within all neighbourhoods so residents of different family types, life stages and income levels can afford to rent or own property,” he said.
If you’d like to know more about where Craig Janzen stands on any issue, he invites you to email him at concretejanzen@gmail.com
