Steve Forseth is the first to officially enter the political race for the upcoming local elections in November.
Last Friday the 35-year-old confirmed he’s running for Area D director of the Cariboo Regional District board.
“When Deb Bischoff announced last fall that she wasn’t seeking re-election, several residents approached me at a meeting in McLeese Lake and asked if I would consider running,” he said, adding he’s been the alternate director since February 2013.
Forseth ran for a spot on city council in the November 2011 election, but after his involvement with the CRD has decided that’s where he wants to put his energies.
“I have various connections with the staff and constituents, politically, and I will get things done in Area D,” he said. He has also been on the Area D planning advisory committee since 2008.
Area D covers McLeese Lake, Wildwood, Pine Valley, Commodore Heights and Fox Mountain, serving around 3,000 people.
In Forseth’s mind, one of the key issues is the McLeese Lake Library and the fact it’s significantly dated.
For example, it’s not accessible. It only has staircases.
And it’s been on the CRD’s books for a long time, he explained.
Another key issue will be the upcoming Cariboo Memorial Complex Sam Ketcham Pool referendum in November, of which Forseth said he feels best prepared to carry out no matter what the outcome is.
“A yes vote will mean we go ahead with the $11.3 million new pool. A no vote means we go with the $2 million renovation plan.”
And the final concept plan for the Cariboo Memorial Hospital should be completed by July or August and then a business plan will be forwarded to Victoria.
After that, it will be important for local politicians and the community to lobby MLAs Coralee Oakes and Donna Barnett, Forseth suggested.
“The CRD has already been putting aside its 40 per cent of the costs of the project,” he said, adding the board also has to think about the G.R. Baker Memorial Hospital in Quesnel.
Luckily the hospital in 100 Mile House is newer and won’t require upgrades in the near future, he said.
Forseth is known for a keen interest in politics.
He traces the love back to Grade 5 when he studied Canadian government in Social Studies.
Then in 2000 he attended a city council meeting when Ivan Bonnell was mayor and has been attending city council meetings ever since.
He has a blog, which he will continue, but said if elected he may have to tone it down, offering less opinion and more sharing of information.
“I’ve already backed off a bit since I became an alternate” he added.