He's one of the first members of the public to declare his political ambitions in the municipal arena.
Longtime Yarrow resident Ron Wedel says in order to make a difference, you have to get involved. He plans to throw his hat in the ring for city council in the November election.
"You also have to vote otherwise you don't have the right to complain," he told The Progress.
Wedel has lived in the Chilliwack area since 1970, and has been active coaching girls' soccer and women's fastball, as well as occasional umpiring. One of his fastball teams finished fourth in the province last year.
Coaching has been his main community contribution, and it's something he loves.
"We won a couple of provincial titles in junior c and women's provincial fastball," he says.
He's also fairly competitive coming from a sports background, Wedel admits.
"So whatever I do, I want to do a good job."
He met his wife Faye at Sardis high school, and they've been married 38 years. "We used to know half the people in Yarrow, but now I know only some of the people on my street."
He says municipal politics are where committed individuals can make a difference and become involved with the community at a deeper level.
"I think I could do well weighing the pros and cons of an issue and making an educated decision."
jfeinberg@theprogress.com
twitter.com/CHWKjourno