A newcomer to local politics is running for mayor of Trail because he feels the city is “on the wrong path.”
Karl Kuepper stresses that he likes members of the current council and considers them “well-intentioned,” but says he would do things differently.
“I don’t like the direction that Trail is going in,” he says. “There are a lot of issues that have to be dealt with.
“Homeless shelters, needle dispensaries, and parking meters are not needed in this community. The last thing they need is for someone to look for change to pay for a parking meter.”
Kuepper (pronounced Cooper) is an electrical engineer who is busy fixing up the old Tonelli’s grocery store in the Gulch with plans to provide affordable apartments upstairs and commercial space downstairs.
He was born in Germany, raised in the US, and has dual American-Canadian citizenship. He worked as a project manager in several different countries and continents before moving to Trail six years ago.
A drive across BC with his daughter brought back pleasant memories of attending a hockey camp in Trail in 1967. On his return, he was so impressed with the community that he immediately bought a house, even though he was working in Antarctica at the time.
Kuepper and his wife, who is Ethiopian, planned to run a restaurant in the former Canton Café space on Bay Avenue, but it didn’t work out. He said they were the victims of thefts that saw tools, liquor, and Ethiopian statues swiped.
He was further alarmed to find someone fishing food out of a dumpster. He is calling for tough love for homeless people. “Shelters are for animals, not people,” he said. “We’re not doing a favour to the homeless.
“Rather than have a homeless shelter, have a work camp. In other words, if you’re in need of assistance, the City of Trail would be more than happy to help, but you have to get up at 7, you have to work for eight hours, and then we’ll provide for you.”
If elected, Kuepper pledged to cut his salary by one-third and encourage others to follow suit.
He said his decision to run for mayor followed a conversation with his wife about the problems he sees. “So rather than sit here raving and ranting, I’m hoping I can make some changes.”
The other mayoral candidates are incumbent Colleen Jones and incumbent councillors Nick Cashol and Terry Martin.
