Fort St. John isn’t in a “boom,” according to newly elected chamber of commerce president Tony Zabinsky.
“I would hate to use the word boom because there’s always a bust that follows. Fort St. John has always been positioned properly for the last 18 years. … It’s been steady growth. To say that’s a boom, I would say no.”
Zabinsky, who works at the Fort St. John Scotiabank in commercial lending, was voted in as the chamber’s new president in December, replacing outgoing president Russ Beerling.
Zabinsky has been involved as an executive on the chamber for the past eight years.
He said he got into the chamber because it works for businesses in the district and the community.
“That means working with the city in regards to the issues businesses might have, and the city might have, and bring new ideas to businesses.”
Zabinsky takes on the position at an interesting time. On December 16, the same day he was elected, the province announced it was proceeding with the Site C dam project. Barring successful legal challenges, construction will begin next summer.
The chamber has not taken a “for” or “against” stance on the dam, and Zabinsky said until it gets more information, that’s not going to change.
Zabinsky added that he wants to make the city a more permanent place for people to live.
“It’s one thing to come up here for the work and the dollar bill,” he said. “We want [workers] to stay here and make Fort St. John their home. … You have to make sure they have infrastructure for us, that they enjoy the area up here, that we have societies they can join and keep them occupied in the community.”
In addition to Zabinsky’s election as chamber president, Mindy Bing was elected as first vice-president, Nelson Stowe as second vice-president and Julie Ziebart was elected as treasurer. Kathy Miller, Brent Taillefer, Moira Green, Tannis Frantik, Karin Carlson, Wayne Perry and David DeVos were chosen as directors. Pat Ferris was chosen as director at large.
.jpg;w=120;h=80;mode=crop)