Don Jefcoat has run for political office before, but never in Coldstream.

The Vernon resident is seeking one of the six councillor positions on Coldstream council in the Oct. 15 civic elections.

in 2018, he ran for Vernon council, and prior to that, he tried his chances in the Vernon-Monashee provincial riding as the Libertarian candidate in 2017.

Jefcoat, who runs a garbage hauling business, said he has spent many days “working and playing” in Coldstream, and he feels the district is “intertwined” with Vernon, but residents should not view him as a “plant for amalgamation.”

“I don’t believe that’s a council’s choice. I will not be one to table a motion for such. I do, however, believe very strongly that you, the citizen of Coldstream, should make that choice if you want to join with another municipality. There are pros and cons to both amalgamation and remaining on our own,” Jefcoat said in a question and answer statement sent to Vernon Matters.

When it comes to the district’s referendum to borrow $8.5 million for a new public works building, Jefcoat supports that.

“How many bake sales, quilt raffles, car washes would it take to raise almost $11 million? How long will it take to get to that goal? When we do get there, how much more would need to be raised to cover cost increases? While I would like to see that amount in reserves, It is not there. Borrowing is the best option,” he stated.

As for his goals, if elected, Jefcoat would push to see council meetings recorded on video.

“I believe in 2022, we should be recording meetings with a record of who said and did what. Council needs to be accountable to its voters.”

Jefcoat would also like to see transit improved so residents can get around without using their vehicles, and he would like to find ways to encourage businesses to set up shop in Coldstream.

“The old glass plant still needs tenants. The commercial center proposed beside the RDNO offices still needs to be built. Some things we can’t do as a council, but we can make it relatively easy to set up shop or bring the development to our area,” Jefcoat remarked.

A former captain and running back of the Okanagan Sun is vying for a seat on District of Coldstream Council.

Jeremy Levy has announced his bid for Councillor, saying in a release that “[q]uality leadership breeds success and good leadership starts with guidance.”

The former football star is running on a platform of:

• Taking sustainable action towards our natural resources
• Advocating for rural living at its best
• Developing inter-jurisdictional collaborations
• Supporting active living
• Building award-winning teams

Levy, who moved to the Okanagan in 2005, majored in political science at SFU after earning a full-paid athletic scholarship through the Kelowna-based junior football Okanagan Sun.

“The Okanagan changed my life. I earned a full-paid university scholarship while playing football in the Okanagan, which provided me with opportunities I would have otherwise never had,” said Levy in a written statement.

“I am very grateful and would like to give back to my community.”

Levy has also been officially endorsed by Regional District of North Okanagan Area C Director Amanda Shatzko.

“Jereym has strong and authentic communication skills,” said Shatzko in a written statement.

“He understands the importance of executing a game plan from start to finish and is a proven leader and dedicated team member. His effort is unmatched and would be an asset to Coldstream council.”

Levy owns a general contracting company that works throughout B.C.

People can learn more about Levy at his website jeremylevy.ca.

One of the reasons Jeff Stevenson is running for Coldstream Council is to help ensure the voice and needs of young families are represented.

Stevenson is a parent, community advocate and carpenter with a passion for doing good in his backyard.

As the father of two young children, Stevenson served as the president of the Parent Advisory Council for Kidston Elementary School for two years, where he led the PAC team in fundraising and steering several major projects, including a community garden, outdoor learning structure, a Gaga pit and new sports equipment.

“When you watch kids playing in the Gaga pit and getting their hands dirty planting seeds in the garden, it’s rewarding to see how these investments are benefitting children,” says Stevenson, who is also a regular presence on the ball fields of the area as coach of his son’s ‘tadpole’ team and vice-president of the Vernon Baseball Association.

“I think it’s important to give your time and get involved in things you care about — it all makes a difference.”

Stevenson and his wife, Cheryl, moved to Coldstream in 2013 because they loved what it offered young families: a safe, tight-knit community close to ways to enjoy the beautiful outdoors.

“Coldstream has so much to offer, and there are lots of opportunities as well for us to enhance everyday living in ways that are planned thoughtfully,” he says, adding infrastructure such as a business park could generate beneficial taxable income and valued services, and greater housing density could increase the pool of available living options, but that those kinds of projects should be pursued with long-term sustainability and existing residents’ and young families’ needs in mind.

As a craftsman who builds custom woodworking pieces and as former master planner and manufacturing manager, Stevenson brings expertise in process, project planning and due diligence.

“I look forward to the chance to bring these leadership skills and the voice of young families to Coldstream council so our community can evolve in positive and sustainable ways.”

The longest serving public servant in Coldstream is throwing his hat in the ring for the seventh consecutive election. Doug Dirk wants to continue his work on council.

“I like to be involved in my community and put the value of my experience to use,” said the 62-year-old Lavington resident who has 18 years of experience.

“Politics is not a recreational activity and requires a variety of skills in both process and decision making. I understand the issues and their complexities as well as the politics associated with them.”

Dirk has lived in the district for 47 years, 42 of which he has been married to his wife Chris, with whom he raised their three children: Megan, Michael and Ben. He is retired after 36 years in telecommunications with Okanagan Telephone, B.C. Telephone and TELUS.

For the first time in more than a decade, the District of Coldstream will have a new mayor.

Incumbent Jim Garlick has, instead, opted to run for a seat on council in the Oct. 15 municipal election. And incumbent councillor Ruth Hoyte has put her name forward to be mayor.

Garlick’s and Hoyte’s intentions have been listed on a candidate’s list on the District of Coldstream website.

“I think it’s time,” said Garlick of his dcision. “I think continuity is important for mayor and council, and I know a councillor has put their name forward. Having previous experience is great.”

Garlick was first elected mayor in 2008, defeating current councillor Glen Taylor in the mayor’s race. Garlick handily survived challenges in 2011 and 2018, and was voted in by acclamation in 2014. He served as a councillor for the district from 2005 to 2008.

One of the reasons he wants to remain with council is to see some projects through to their completion.

“Things like the (Okanagan) rail trail and the amenities around it,” he said. “The Coldstream Municipal Hall and child care centres will be up and running. Finishing off the parks restructuring. We’re looking at a plan for Kal Beach which I think is one of the saddest beaches in the Okanagan. We’ve been looking to do something since the park came back into the public’s hands through the regional district.”

Asked if there was one accomplishment that stood out for him during his tenure as mayor, Garlick chuckled and said “anytime we accomplish anything is a good thing.”

He chaired the revamping of the Master Water Plan with stakeholders; he was in power when Greater Vernon Athletics Park was built in the district at Okanagan College. And the restructuring of parks, he said, has had a lot of positives.

“For Coldstream itself, the Okanagan Rail Trail, having Kelowna work with everyone to purchase the old CN corridor and Coldstream council and the regional district stepping up has been great,” he said, adding that a lot of projects in the district have been done with very little affect to residents’ taxes.

Stephanie Hoffman is hoping to return for a second term on Coldstream council.

First elected to council in 2018, Hoffman has filed her candidacy for the 2022 municipal election on Oct. 15.

“It has been my privilege to be an integral part of the many accomplishments within the district over the last four years,” said Hoffman.

She has overseen a number of projects in her time on council, including a pair of childcare facilities in the district.

“Supporting the needs for growing families has always been, and will continue to be, a top priority and the creation of two childcare facilities within the district has definitely been a step in the right direction.”

Hoffman said she also wants to see the completion of the Coldstream community hall and the Head of the Lake plan.

“Having lived in Lavington for 15 years, I have always envisioned a community hall for that part of Coldstream as a way to encourage community gatherings and that still remains a goal that I would love to see become reality,” she said.

“I am also interested in the results of the Coldstream community survey which is going to provide excellent feedback from community members on how we can continue to enhance all Coldstream has to offer and protect what people value most about living in this beautiful area,” Hoffman added.

Issues over the next four years that are dear to Hoffman include housing options, protection and enhancement of agriculture, promotion of environmentally conscious growth and traffic flow safety measures.

She would also like to see a consistent communications format with a focus on the district’s online presence, to allow for better access to information and community engagement.

A dental hygienist and a mother of three, Hoffman believes she can contribute an understanding of family needs to her role on council.