When he ran for city council in last year’s by-election, Brian Bogle wasn’t sure if he would seek another term if he was successful.
“I hadn’t thought that far ahead,” he says. “I was encouraged to run and thought it would be a good opportunity to see if it was something that worked for me and did I enjoy it. It didn’t take long to decide yes, I was definitely going to run again.”
Bogle won a landslide victory. Recently retired after a long career as a Safeway manager, and a Castlegar resident since 2005, Bogle says he likes being involved with and giving back to the community.
“I think I’ve got some solid ideas and background in helping the city make decisions,” he says.
The issue towering above all others for him, as for many candidates, is housing.
“Of all forms. We’re desperate for multi-family housing, for affordable housing. We should be looking at subsidized housing and working with BC Housing. But single-family residential is also an important part of our community.”
Bogle says he would like to see the permitting process further streamlined to hurry up the pace of building.
“I think council’s made some really good progress is getting some projects set up and ready to start, but unfortunately with our inflationary times, they might not move as quickly as we’d like to see.”
Another key issue for him is airport reliability. The city is waiting to hear back from Transport Canada on whether its plan to develop a lower-ceiling landing approach will be approved.
Bogle says the airport is already a key economic driver for the city, between commercial flights and the Southeast Fire Centre, and ensuring flights can get in and out in all weather would be a huge benefit for the community.
Bogle says he stands by all of the decisions that he has made during his year and a half on council.
“I know not all of them were the most popular, but I look at everything and decide whether it will benefit the entire community. I truly believe the decisions we’ve made will benefit the entire community.”
Bogle is one of three incumbent councillors seeking re-election. Incumbent Maria McFaddin is running for mayor.