Runge seeks third term on Quesnel city council

s to work alongside council and the mayor to build a strong economic future for Quesnel.

Among his priorities are affordability, accessibility and community safety, issues he said remain top concerns for residents.

Runge, known for frequently asking questions during council meetings, said transparency and accountability are important aspects of his role as a councillor.

“I want to be fair to our electorate and I want to be fair to our community,” he said. “I want to try to make a difference and move things forward.”

Financial matters will remain a key focus if he is re-elected. Runge said he is prepared to make difficult decisions, but believes major decisions should involve meaningful community engagement rather than creating divisions.

“I’d rather that we just move on to make positive changes to the community,” he said.

Runge also emphasized the need for broader discussions about the economic realities facing the city and the region. He pointed to infrastructure needs, cost-of-living pressures and community safety concerns as issues requiring cooperation between municipal, provincial and federal governments.

“We want to find a way that the city can support these without drowning ourselves, because ultimately we have to be accountable to our ratepayers,” he said.

Looking beyond city boundaries, Runge said communities across the North and Cariboo, including Quesnel, Prince George, Williams Lake and Wells, would benefit from working together to take advantage of emerging economic opportunities and address shared challenges.

Having recently retired, Runge said he now has more time to dedicate to council work. He currently serves on the city’s accessibility committee and hopes to continue in that role.

He added that many seniors have raised concerns with him about public safety and street disorder. While supportive of stronger accountability and enforcement measures, Runge said solutions must involve collaboration between all levels of government and community organizations.

He also highlighted the importance of supports such as inpatient treatment and sober living programs, while ensuring any new initiatives avoid unintended negative impacts on the community.

As the election campaign continues, Runge encouraged residents to take part in conversations about the future of Quesnel.

“Elections give us the opportunity to have these important conversations and come up with ideas to make Quesnel and the region a better place,” he said. “We may not always agree, but if we’re all willing to listen to each other, I’m sure that we can create collective goals that make this a more vibrant area and community.”

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Runge seeks third term on Quesnel city council

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