Coun. Les Barkman has announced plans to run for re-election in the November election.
As this election will hire councillors for four years – up from three – the two-term councillor said that it is important to elect the right people to help move Abbotsford forward in a way that is “progressive, but under control.”
Barkman moved to B.C. in 1974 and began working with the District of Matsqui in the parks and recreation department. He retired after 35 years from the City of Abbotsford as supervisor of sanitation and roads in the public works department.
Barkman was elected to council in 2008 and said that working for city hall in public works and as a councillor has given him “a pretty good balance of the outside and the inside.”
He said that working for city hall is part of “the customer service business” and he does his best to listen to and help community members looking to the city for assistance.
He said council’s achievements in the last term included finding efficiencies without cutting services and delivering no tax increase to residents.
Barkman has been involved in many city groups and committees, including the parks, recreation and culture commission, library board, traffic safety advisory committee, Abbotsford Youth Commission, M.S.A. Museum Society and more.