Don had been a councillor for three terms.
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Byron says he’s always had an interest in politics, and that is partially due to his parents being involved in the community. After opting out of the 2008 election, he’s back, and says he’s ready to make the move into politics.
Stewart feels as though he’s been representing Fort St. John since he was eight years old and travelled around the area playing hockey.
“That was my first time representing the community. You put on a jersey stating Fort St. John and you travel all over the province, all over Western Canada. It’s what I want to do on council now, it’s putting on a different kind of a jersey and working together as a team.”
As someone with around 15 years of experience working with youth, Stewart says he brings a “youthful” experience to the table, adding he’s always looking towards the future. As for the specifics of his campaign, Stewart says that will be rolled out with his website and Facebook page later this week.
For now, Stewart says there has been somewhat of a lack of communication in council over the past few years as to why the city is doing what it’s doing and where it’s headed. As a fan of community action plans, he feels he can help build a more cohesive team.
He wants to build a solid plan for Fort St. John, rather than reacting to what other communities are doing. That includes finding a way to incorporate the airport into the city, rather than the regional district, as well as building a play centre for younger children at the Pomeroy Sport Centre.
Stewart says he’s using his father as an example of how he wants to work in the community.
“I’m proud of my dad and what he did for the community. He cared about the community and worked very hard to represent it well and that’s what I want. If that’s following in the same shoes, then that’s what it is.
Stewart joins current city councillors Larry Evans, Bruce Christensen and Trevor Bolin, as well as School Board Trustee Gord Klassen in the race for city councillor spots.
