A former city councillor is looking to step back into the political arena.
On Thursday morning, Don Zurowski will formally announce his intention to run for mayor in this November's municipal election, multiple sources close to his campaign have told The Citizen. The announcement is scheduled for 11 a.m. at the Civic Centre.
Zurowski spent three terms on city council between 1999 and 2008. He lost his seat when he went up against Dan Rogers for mayor in 2008.
Following that loss, Zurowski said he wouldn't run again.
"When I originally ran I said I'd serve for two terms as a councillor and apply for the bigger job or go home," he told The Citizen in 2008. "I served for three terms on council, applied for the bigger job, was not successful, so it's time to move on and let others to the work. It's been a great nine years."
When asked in 2011 if he would go up against Rogers again - who subsequently lost to Shari Green - Zurowski said he had no designs on the mayor's seat.
"Incumbent mayors have a competitive advantage, so I'll leave it to them," he told The Citizen. However, with Green's announcement that she would not seek re-election this fall, there is no incumbent advantage for Zurowski to consider.
Prior to running for council, Zurowski spent 20 years as a managing partner at Auto Magic, before becoming the general manager of Community Futures Development Corporation of Fraser-Fort George. On the volunteer side, he has been linked to Big Brothers and Sisters, Yellowhead Rotary Club, Tourism Prince George and Prince George After-Hours. In 2012 Zurowski was named to PavCo and chaired the the International Bioenergy Conference and Exhibition Society and Passenger Transportation Board.
When he last ran for mayor in 2008, Zurowski said he was committed to creating a sustainable environment and a vibrant downtown as Prince George moved towards urbanization.
"It has never been a more important, and the time more right, to diversify our economy. I will focus on the opportunities that are available in the Prince George region now, that can create new employment. I am committed to bringing all the influence available from the Mayor's office to attract new opportunities," he told The Citizen at the time.
