Rob Kerslake has lived in Barriere for nearly his entire life.
He’s co-owned Armco Construction, Ltd. for the past 11 years. Now, he’s decided to run for council.
Question: What made you want to run for councillor?
A: “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time. The time was never right for me with a young family, but they’re growing up and I feel it’s the right time,” he said. “I think I can make a difference given my experience in life, such as running a small business here and world travel.”
Question: What do you believe qualifies you for the position?
A: “I guess with running a business, it’s connected me to people from all walks of life in the community. Working in construction, he said he’s often the first person people speak to when they move to Barriere. This experience has taught him to listen to what people want. That, and budgets. “I know a little bit of the ins and outs of running budgets and what not.”
Question: What are the more important issues in Barriere?
A: “I think attracting industry, which quantifies into jobs and then which attracts young families,” he said. “Young people, you know, drive the economy, right.”
Question: What would you like to change?
A: “I would like to find different ways of generating revenue for the town other than taxation. I have some ideas, for instance, our sewage treatment plant creates a lot of waste heat and I know that on a bigger scale there are communities that turn that heat into electricity.”
He said he’d also like to make use of the old grocery store that’s been sitting unused for years, possibly with a mini-mall or farmer’s market. “It would give the downtown core some more feeling of a downtown core if there was some more activity in that building.”
Question: Why should people vote for you?
A: “I’ve been a resident of Barriere most of my life. My family’s been here since 1947. I care deeply about Barriere and its future and I intend, if elected, to, you know, put my heart and soul into my responsibility as a councillor.”
Question: How can people get in touch with you?
A: You can reach Kerslake at 250-319-4137, through Facebook messaging or by emailing kerslake66@gmail.com.