Pubdate: Fri, 02 Jan 2015
Source: Nelson Star (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 Black Press
Contact:  http://www.bclocalnews.com/kootenay_rockies/nelsonstar/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/4866
Author: Greg Nesteroff
Page: A1

NEWSMAKER OF THE YEAR: DEB KOZAK

For defeating a three-term incumbent to become Nelson's first female
mayor, the Starhas named Deb Kozak its 2014 Newsmaker of the Year.

As she was sworn in last month, Kozak said it was "no small thing to
be the first woman elected mayor in 117 years" and that she "felt the
weight of the chain of office" on her shoulders - similar to what
Annie Garland Foster must have felt when she became the first woman
elected to city council in 1920.

Kozak, a popular city councillor first elected in 2005, had long been
rumored to be mulling a run for mayor before she finally confirmed it
in September.

"I'm really relieved that I've come to a decision, because I've
wrestled with it for months," she said. "It's time. I've been on
council nine years and I thought 'throw your hat in.'"

Kozak, 60, moved to Nelson from her native Saskatchewan when her
husband Peter was offered a job in the area.

"I've loved Nelson ever since I stepped foot in it," she said. "I've
been passionate about working and volunteering in the public and
private sectors. I've gotten to know a lot of people, and for me the
most important part of this community is its diversity and passion. I
want to see that continue."

Her arrival in 1983 coincided with the city's economic downturn, "a
very frightening time," but she was impressed by city council's "bold
step" toward rejuvenating Baker Street.

During her campaign, Kozak said she welcomed "difficult conversations"
and anticipated affordable housing would be a key issue. Although
housing is the responsibility of other levels of governments, she said
the municipality can play a role. She has asked city staff to look at
completing infrastructure upgrades over a longer time, to keep water
and sewer rates down.

Around 8:30 p.m. on November 15, Kozak's scrutineer brought word that
she would serve the next four years as mayor, having defeated both
incumbent John Dooley and challenger Pat Severyn. Kozak's margin of
victory was less than 300 votes.

SensibleBC, a marijuana reform group that wanted Dooley ousted, took
some credit for helping her win. However, while she was happy to have
their support, she said she has little relationship with the initiative.

Kozak, who now chairs the police board, does support moving towards
legalization of pot and encouraging police to make possession of the
drug a low priority.

"When I think about our emergency personnel and our police, and how we
want their valuable services used, that's not how I want them used,"
she said. "We want to fund the investigation of real crime."

Expect the new city council to lift the Baker Street dog ban, at least
on a trial basis. Kozak was the only member of the previous council
open to the idea, but at the all-candidates forum in November, nearly
every candidate expressed some degree of support for revisiting the
issue.

Kozak pledged to strengthen relationships locally, regionally,
provincially, nationally, and internationally by building on her work
as chair of the local governments committee for the Columbia River
Treaty review. She is also the new president of the Association of
Kootenay Boundary Local Governments.

"I bring to the table experience, passion, heart and mind," she said.
"What I have to offer is almost fearless exploration of who we can
be."

- - With files from Will Johnson
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MAP posted-by: Matt