Although the municipal election is not until October 20, potential candidates are thinking about it, and one, Josh Lockhart, made up his mind last fall.
Lockhart says he’s running for City Council, the first council candidate to come forward.
“I’ve been planning this for some time,” he said.
He says he believes he represents a cohort that is not presently represented on Council, but is becoming larger in Kimberley — the young family.
“Kimberley has been getting younger according to the Census,” he said. “I believe it’s important that Council has a representative of what it’s like to have a young family in Kimberley.”
Lockhart is a child and youth counsellor for Ktunaxa Child and Family Services. He is married and has three children, ages two and a half, seven and ten. Many Bulletin readers will recognize his name as the Dynamiter reporter. Lockhart is a passionate fan and follower of the local Junior B team and writes a blog on the team and the KIJHL.
He is new to municipal politics, but did work in student government while at university.
Lockhart doesn’t have one individual issue he is keying in on, but does say he fully supports the elimination of the flat tax and would like to see it gone sooner rather than later.
“The flat tax has been a concern for me. I believe in proportional taxes. I’m in favour of phasing it out entirely.”
He says he’s been doing research into what sort of time commitment is required. He recognizes it’s a big commitment but says he and his family are ready to take it on.
“I believe in the balancing of past, present and future. We have an awesome history, a great present and I see a beautiful future ahead.”
