District of Clearwater: There's going to be an election to see who will be the next mayor of Clearwater.
Jon Kreke, a member of town council since 2011, announced at the end of Tuesday's council meeting that he intends to challenge incumbent Mayor John Harwood for the job.
“I've had several people from Clearwater, including businesspeople, ask me to run,” Kreke said. “It's time for a change.”
He and his wife, Christina, have run Dutch Lake Resort since they came to Clearwater from Victoria in 1990.
He felt when he ran in 2011 that the experience of running the resort had taught him lessons that would be useful at the municipal level: sewer and water systems, different types of accommodation, budgeting, organization, and dealing with people.
Before coming here Kreke managed several gas stations.
The couple has raised three daughters in Clearwater.
Harwood announced in late August that he plans to seek a fourth term as mayor. He has been mayor of Clearwater since incorporation in 2007.
Municipal voting day will be Nov. 15.