What lies ahead for Creston

Creston's mayor, Ron Toyota, is feeling positive about the year ahead

Councillor Tanya Ducharme (left), Mayor Ron Toyota and councillor Judy Gadicke (right) — Amy Chapoton photo

Ron Toyota, mayor of Creston, is a rookie no more, having been mayor now since 2008. He said there is always something to learn and being mayor is a full-time commitment.

"It is very enjoyable as far as being able to help the community," said Toyota.

He is proud of his town council and staff and their achievements, and looks forward to continuing in the same vein.

“We have built a stronger relationship with the Lower Kootenay Band Council and the Regional District of Central Kootenay area directors,” said Toyota. “Our regional district community complex, featuring an indoor aquatic facility and fitness centre, opened in July 2010.”

A new Ramada Inn and Conference Centre and restaurant are under construction, with a planned opening date of May 2012.

Crestbrook Gardens, a new housing complex for seniors and disabled persons, opened in 2011; the Town of Creston provided the land for this complex. A new Town manager was hired in the same year.

"We welcomed a new family physician to the community in 2011," said Toyota, "and council implemented animal control bylaws to address the feral cat issues."

What to expect: top priorities for the next three years

"Our newly elected town council will be holding a two-day strategic planning session this month," said Toyota. "We will continue with our top priorities, including economic development, physician recruitment and Highway 3 realignment of truck traffic off our downtown main street."

Toyota said that the community has been very fortunate in that the physician recruitment program created a number of years ago has been working.

"The big thing is that we put money towards it so we can provide a professional recruiter and do the marketing," said Toyota. "We have taken it on as a community."

Toyota said that continuing to build stronger relationships with the Lower Kootenay Band and regional district area directors is important, as is promoting agricultural values in the Creston Valley. And he would like to continue working with the Creston Valley Wildlife Management Area to support the 17,000-acre facility.

Toyota said another priority includes a major upgrade to Creston's waste-water treatment plant facility.

Personally speaking

"I was born and raised in Creston from 1947 to 1967 and I lived in Cranbrook from 1969 to 2001, operating Taks Home Furnishers, five retail stores with sales and service of appliances, electronics, carpet and furniture," said Toyota. He moved back to Creston in 2001.

Toyota and his wife, Judy, have three children and five grandchildren, and have been married 42 years. They enjoy curling during the winter and golfing in spring, summer and fall. Toyota is a member of the Creston Valley Rotary Club.