Trail city councillor Nick Cashol will seek the mayor’s chair this fall.
Cashol, who was elected to council in 2022, becomes the second declared candidate for the position following councillor Terry Martin. Cashol made the announcement this morning on Facebook and Instagram.
“I’m excited to enter the race,” Cashol said in an interview. “I appreciate the feedback and engagement I’ve received from businesspeople and residents of Trail. That’s what motivated and prompted me.”
Cashol said he’d never planned to run for mayor, but over the last few months people have been reaching out to him to consider the possibility. He said the decision came after “much careful thought and consideration” and was finalized about two months ago.
“It’s something I feel that I must do,” he said, adding that a combination of factors were at play, including his desire to continue serving the community. “It’s a decision I’m very comfortable with and I know it’s the right decision for me.”
He said he didn’t know for certain that Martin would seek the job until Martin’s announcement this week.
Cashol said his priority would be improving the downtown by supporting local businesses and creating new housing. A committee is looking at development options for the former Trail Mercantile/Eaton’s/Town Square Mall/Liquidation World site at Cedar and Spokane streets.
“The heart of the city beats in the downtown, so we need it healthy and vibrant,” Cashol said. “That will be my focus.”
Cashol is a retired RCMP officer who served in Trail. He and his wife Roberta moved to Kelowna and then returned to Trail a few years ago.
Incumbent mayor Colleen Jones hasn’t announced yet whether she will seek re-election.
Voting day is Oct. 17.
