Marty Bootsma will be stepping up and hoping to once again grab the title of Mayor of Salmon Arm this upcoming election.
Bootsma was mayor of Salmon Arm for two terms from 2005 to 2011, when he decided it was time to take a break for some family time. But now he’s ready to return to his former role.
“I liked being mayor and I think I was good at it,” said Bootsma, who was also a city councillor for six years. “I like being involved and I’d rather get in there and do things than be on the outside.”
Bootsma said he plans to base his campaign around his experience with the community and the fact he is a credible candidate.
“I’m going to run on my track record,” he said.
Bootsma has spent the last 34 years living in Salmon Arm, where he has five children and nine grandchildren. He has also been a member of the Rotary Club for the past 15 years and spent 14 years as a volunteer firefighter.
“I have the time, I have the knowledge and I have the experience,” he said.
Bootsma says that he’d like to see a number of small changes in the community, such as the completion of the water park and fixing potholes on the Trans-Canada Highway.
“We’re always talking about the big things,” said Bootsma. “Little things are important too.”
Bootsma is also no stranger to dealing with hot-button issues. As the former mayor, he dealt with the divisive SmartCentres application, which included two sets of public hearings. His view on the controversial Ross Street underpass depends on funding.
“I tend to be in favour,” said Bootsma. “But it depends largely on the cost, we’d have to make sure all the grants and financing are in place.”
Bootsma is eager to see Salmon Arm grow.
“Salmon Arm is a very forward-looking community,” said Bootsma. “I’d like to see it maintain that progressiveness.”