Chilliwack business owner Ken Popove has announced his candidacy for city council.
The 51-year-old former president of the Downtown Chilliwack Business Improvement Association said his run for election is a way of continuing to serve the community of Chilliwack.
He’s been urged to enter the municipal arena in the past, but didn’t feel the timing was right. Since stepping down recently as BIA board president, he is ready to take on the challenge of city politics, with a strong interest in business development as well as community growth.
“The passion that I have brought to my endeavours in the Chilliwack community over the years will be repurposed to attract balanced growth to the Chilliwack region and effective social and community responsibility,” he said.
His platform is based on his ability “to bring the right people to the table” along with “the passion for making change possible,” Popove said.
The owner of Ken’s Tire and Wheel has lived in Chilliwack since moving here from Mission at the age of 13.
He helped create the Cultus Lake Beach Party in the ’80s, which in its final year raised more than $45,000 to build a children’s park at Main Beach. He was elected to the Cultus Lake Park Board and opened his tire business.
He joined the special events committee of the BIA, where he spearheaded major events to attract people to the downtown. Along with his group the Bongo Boys, they created the Village Classic Car Show, The Chilliwack Christmas Village and bumped up attendance numbers at the Chilliwack Christmas Parade. By 2000, they were organizing the annual Canada Day Celebrations and the B.C. Rodeo Association championship entertainment stage.
Popove served on the BIA board for 12 years, with the last four as president, as well as representing the BIA on Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation (CEPCO).
Aside from Popove, first-time candidates Dick Harrington, and Ron Wedel have also thrown their hats in the ring for city council.
Sharon Gaetz has confirmed she is running for re-election as Chilliwack mayor, and councillors Sue Attrill, Ken Huttema, and Stewart McLean are also running for re-election.
Coun. Pat Clark has stated she will not run again, and Coun. Chuck Stam has yet to declare his intentions.