BANFF – One of Banff’s most outspoken and passionate former town councillors is taking a run for the mayor’s seat in this year’s municipal election.
Stavros Karlos, who stepped aside from municipal politics in 2017 after 10 years on council, filed his nomination papers last week for the Oct. 18 mayoral election.
“I love my town, I love my community and I want to ensure that I continue to contribute to this place I love,” said Karlos, who grew up in Banff.
“My parents taught me quite a bit about civic engagement, and to be honest, I’ve really missed the work.”
Mayor Karen Sorensen is bowing out of municipal politics after 18 years, including two-terms on council and three terms as mayor. Aside from Karlos, no other mayoral candidates have officially put their names forward yet.
For Karlos, the upcoming term will see a big focus on the development of an updated Banff Community Plan, which he believes is the perfect platform for community discussions on bigger issues facing the townsite into the future.
Among those issues are tackling climate change locally, other big environmental issues, and ongoing work on transit and transportation to address congestion and bumper-to-bumper traffic expected to return once the COVID-19 pandemic subsides.
“I think it’s time we have those discussions to set up what the next 10 to 40 years look like, at least to 2050,” Karlos said.
Tackling climate change will take all levels of government, but Karlos said the municipality must reaffirm its commitment to climate targets, particularly given Banff is a townsite in Canada’s premiere national park and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
“There’s going to be expenditures associated with that,” he said.
“There’s a real opportunity to get targeted capital dollars in terms of if you’re looking at a climate response.”
Recovering from the fallout of the pandemic will continue to be a big issue facing the Banff community, with Karlos noting both residents and businesses have raised concerns about increasing tax burdens.
“Everyone has been affected by the pandemic and there’s different levels of stress in every single area of the community,” he said.
“This does need to be a period of restraint and prudence followed by rationalization on a go-forward basis, and I think that’s what residents are looking for, but that doesn’t mean blowing up the ship.”
When Karlos decided against seeking a fourth term on council in 2017, he was burnt out and decided to dedicate more time to his family – wife Samantha Frey and daughter Apollonia and son Anders.
Karlos has never been one to shy away from controversial subjects, passionately debating issues from housing to paid parking, and because he is so vocal on subects he believes integral to a better Banff, everyone knows exactly where he stands.
The pressures of public life began to pile on in his last term, including threats against himself as well as his family and businesses. “You don’t have to agree with somebody, but there’s no need for that,” he said when he bowed out of politics in 2017.
Karlos was also struggling to find a way to better deal with ongoing personal attacks on social media, which took a toll on his mental health.
Perhaps his greatest challenge heading into this election will be dealing with public perception on his position with Banff Hospitality Collective, but he’s decided to face head-on recent social media comments focusing on his mental health.
Karlos, who hasn’t drunk alcohol in 14 years following challenges with substance abuse, said “that’s a source of strength for me.”
He also acknowledged he has suffered from mental health challenges over the years – and it’s made him a stronger person – and should not be considered a stigma in the 21st Century.
“Over the last week, there was already a couple of posts, which I found fascinating and I am super happy to talk about that,” Karlos said.
“Have I suffered from mental health issues? Yes, I have. It also gives me a different perspective. I have a lot of sympathy for mental health issues. It’s really challenging,” he added.
“But I am who I am today because of support from the community. I am very grateful for support of my family, friends, co-workers and community because that’s what it’s all about.”
Karlos said he understands the stress of the past 16 months on businesses and residents during the pandemic.
“I really think we need at least 12 to 24 months to reassess and refocus ourselves as a community,” he said.
“I don’t know where that focus is going to 100 per cent land, but I think we need to talk about it together as a community.”
Current council candidates who have filed nomination papers are Jessia Arsenio and Mark Walker.
