I am 57 and lived in Trail for all but a seven-year period of my life. I worked for Cominco Ltd. in both Elkford then Trail. I went into small business for myself up until 2005 at which time I went to Wal Mart Corp. until Feb. 14, 2014. At this time I went into semi-retirement. As for my enjoyment I ride motorcycles with the West Kootenay Road Runners, fish and head up Silver City Days. I also belong to local clubs and do volunteering when asked.
The challenge I see facing council is getting Trail back on line. We need to rebuild the city. More businesses, more for the local youth they seem to be forgotten. They will be the ones that we leave the city to. Us older members of the city have to stop and think it’s not for us but the next generation.
We should be leaving the city in good shape not overlooking things we need now to stop ever increasing costs of future.
To resolve the business problem I would like to put together a committee that will go out and get us business, by that I mean we send out a person whose job is to retain a business and get them opening here in our city.
We may have to offer incentives or waive some tax dollars to get them here but something to be looked at. We also need the youth to step up. This is something I would assign council to put on for the local youth of what is in it for them. Us along with family help may get youth better prepared and willing to step up.
An outstanding issue for me is to get the skate park started and finished for the youth, they have been promised this far too long and it is time.
I am for youth as they are the ones we are leaving this city with, us older folk are not here forever and it is time to think what we do now is for the sake of our kids and grandchildren we should not be overlooking things what we need now due to cost as it will only cost more in years to come.
We also need to keep close watch on what we have here now, We should not lose businesses that have been here like Fortis.
Another issue is keeping the hospital. If we keep losing business and population we could lose our hospital we need to make sure this does not happen.