Community advocate seeks Council seat with focus on safety, health and accountability

His connection to community service began shortly after arriving in Prince George. For the past seven years, he has served on the board of the Immigrant and Multicultural Society, including a term as president before taking on the role of vice-president.

Now, with his children grown and established in their own careers, he said the timing feels right to pursue elected office.

“Our kids are successful. One is a civil engineer and the other is a doctor,” he said. “They have their own careers now, and I feel I have more time to contribute to the city that has given us so much.”

The prospective councillor said his campaign will focus on three key areas: health care, public safety and accountability at city hall.

A major concern, he said, is ensuring taxpayer dollars are spent wisely and that council and senior city administration remain accountable to residents.

“Taxpayer money should be spent judiciously and in a timely manner,” he said. “City management needs to understand what people want and how services can be improved. We need to listen to the people.”

He also believes public safety remains a pressing issue, particularly in the downtown core.

While statistics may show a decline in some lower-level offences, he said many residents continue to feel uneasy and remain concerned about more serious criminal activity.

“The bigger crimes seem to remain the same,” he said. “People need to feel safe when they come to Prince George and when they live here. Nobody should leave because they don’t feel secure.”

Addressing public safety, he argues, requires looking beyond policing alone and examining the root causes of crime.

He points to mental health challenges as one of the city’s most significant issues and believes greater attention and resources are needed in that area.

“When we see jails filling up and pressures increasing, we need to ask why,” he said. “Mental health needs more attention. That would be one of my main focuses.”

As an engineer by training, he also sees opportunities to improve city infrastructure and modernize aging systems.

He said many upgrades can be accomplished without major spending increases if projects are carefully planned and managed.

“We have a lot of infrastructure here that needs modernization,” he said. “It doesn’t always require huge amounts of money. Sometimes a little investment, done properly and strategically, can make a big difference.”

He believes his professional background would bring a practical perspective to council discussions around development, transportation and long-term planning.

The candidate also hopes to continue promoting the multicultural values that he says help make Prince George a welcoming and inclusive community.

Having worked closely with newcomers through both his business and volunteer activities, he has watched the city evolve and grow increasingly diverse over the years.

“From the day we arrived, I became involved in multicultural activities in the community,” he said. “Prince George has given opportunities to many families like ours, and I want to help ensure it remains a place where people can build successful lives.”

Although his children’s careers have taken them elsewhere, he said he and his family remain firmly rooted in Prince George and would like to see future opportunities encourage younger generations to stay or eventually return.

“We are not leaving Prince George,” he said. “In fact, we would like to bring our kids back one day if the opportunities are there.”

As the municipal election campaign unfolds, he said his message to voters is simple: council should be accountable, responsive and focused on creating a city where residents feel safe, healthy and heard.

By combining his experiences as an immigrant, engineer, business owner and community volunteer, he hopes to bring a fresh perspective to city hall while continuing his longstanding commitment to the community he now proudly calls home.

by Cheryl Jahn

Community advocate seeks Council seat with focus on safety, health and accountability

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