Terry Rysz says he will be offering his extensive background in business management for the benefit of the community in the coming municipal election.
The Sicamous B.C. Liquor Store manager says he wishes to offer the electorate another draft pick for council, one who would “vigorously deal with the issues with due diligence and, most of all, common sense.”
A Sicamous resident for the past 10 years, Rysz views his varied business background and the leadership roles he’s played as a key asset in his bid for council. For the past five years he has been managing the liquor store. This experience, he says, allows regular opportunity to communicate with the public and learn what the issues are.
“Sicamous has a lot of issues and I’ve heard a fair amount of negativity, although there’s a lot of positives here,” says Rysz. Prior to this job, Rysz was a business owner in Revelstoke. And prior to that, Rysz spent 30 years in Vanderhoof. From there he owned and operated a chain of automotive/industrial supply stores in that community and in Fort St. James. Through this experience he developed strong links with, and insight to various industrial sectors from agriculture to mining to forestry and public works. During that time he also coached hockey.
Currently, Rysz is a member of the Sicamous Legion and the curing club.
Asked why he’s running for office, Rysz said he’s long been interested in politics, but it was during his recent volunteer work on the downtown Sturgis North event where he was encouraged to run.
“Three different groups have asked me if I would consider running for council,” says Rysz. “I thought that maybe it’s time I should step in and give the opportunity to the electorate for a new draft pick.”
Rysz says he is not about to give a bunch of idle promises – he gets annoyed when politicians do this – but there are safety issues he would focus his efforts on if elected. These include the Old Spallumcheen turnoff on the Trans-Canada, semis parking along the highway by Tim Hortons, and the notorious “octopus intersection” at Trans-Canada Highway/97B.
“That boondoggle there – every time I stop at that stop sign I feel I need to go see a chiropractor,” says Rysz.
While Rysz has had no direct political involvement in his past, he assures he’s had plenty of experience with matters of a political nature.
“In the hockey world, it’s about as political as you can get,” says Rysz. “And I was involved in hockey for more than 25…”