Rob Kerslake is ready to “get back in the mayor’s seat” if elected as mayor during the March 1 by-election. He has held the position of District of Barriere (DOB) councillor and more recently deputy mayor following the resignation of Ward Stamer who vacated the position to become the MLA for Kamloops-North Thompson in the fall provincial election.
As part of the protocol when the by-election was scheduled for March 1 by the district’s Chief Electoral Officer, Tasha Buchanan, Kerslake was required to step down from his role as a district councillor, a position he held for six years.
When asked about running in the by-election and why he feels qualified to hold the permanent position of mayor.
“I’m well versed in the responsibilities of both mayor and as a councillor having served as deputy mayor most recently and as a district councillor," he told the Barriere ronaldomanosa. "My family is behind my decision to run, and that support is truly motivating due to their faith in my abilities. I’ve received some great encouragement from the community as well. I grew up here and really love it. I’m dedicated to our warm-hearted area and the great people that we serve.”
Kerslake shared he “would like to stay the course” with regards to what the district council has laid out as goals in their newly reported strategic plan for 2025 and noted there are four “overarching” goals and objectives that council would like to achieve. They are identified in the plan as: Organizational Asset Management Plan, Fiscally Responsible Operations, Creating Opportunities for Community and Growth and lastly General Governance and Community Engagement.
“This strategic plan has the promise to make the organization more transparent, more engaged with the public overall, more efficient – which over time can lead to savings for the taxpayer, an increase in partnership with First Nations is also a critical goal of ours – because together we are stronger,” Kerslake said.
The DOB mayoral candidate said a mayor should lead from “what the council believes to be important” and that on a personal level he has his own goal in mind if elected as mayor.
“I hope to increase revenues not only from taxpayers. A good example of this is what we have done with the new Barriere Business Centre in our downtown area. We took a million-dollar grant and turned it into a revenue generating centre for the district and the community.”
He said he plans to continue pursuing similar ventures already having one in mind but is not ready to announce that until it’s properly vetted by the district administration.
Kerslake, 53, is well-known as a general contractor and has experience working in logging in the area. He is married with two adult children in their 20s and a teen at home. His wife, Jennifer Kerslake, is a counsellor with Simpcw First Nation in the Village of Chu Chua and a former teacher, and Kerslake has lived most of his life in the North Thompson Valley.
During the Barriere Business Centre project he volunteered to personally oversee and coordinate the project management to completion free of charge since the budget didn’t cover that expenditure.
Former mayor, Ward Stamer praised Kerslake’s dedication and hard work during the grand opening of the centre saying, “Rob was instrumental in acting as our construction liaison, volunteering hundreds of labour-intensive hours into the construction of the centre.”
The business centre is currently generating revenue for the district, housing the Barriere Chamber of Commerce, Taseko Mines, Backwoods Chiropractic and Latin Massage Therapy.
“We need the partnership with the province to implement improved infrastructure in the district to accommodate projects such as developing more seniors and residential housing in the area. I have written a letter as deputy mayor to the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) asking them to support us in this as well by taking this message to the federal government on behalf of the DOB also. We’ve done the studies and identified the need for improved infrastructure,” said Kerslake.
Citing there are approximately 1,500 ratepayers in the district he added, “With upgrades to wastewater and water, it’s a slow process for a small community to raise the funds. My intention is to seek grant funding to assist in subsidizing essential upgrades in our community infrastructure.”
The candidate for Barriere’s next mayor has also served on the board of the Thompson Nicola Regional District as deputy mayor, served on the committee of the whole, as well as on the finance committee, policy and governance committee, regional solid waste committee and the Thompson Regional Hospital committee which he feels is valuable “gained” experience that has prepared him for a role as mayor.
“This is my home. My grandparents on my mother’s side moved to the North Thompson in 1947. I care deeply about Barriere and its future,” said Kerslake.
