A longtime Coquitlam city council watcher known to advocate for people with disabilities is seeking an official role in city hall.
Rob Bottos is running for a seat on council for the second time since 2018, when he notched more than 6,000 votes.
The next municipal election is set for Oct. 15, 2022.
Currently, Bottos is set to challenge a spot on council with fellow residents Harvey Su, Matt Djonlic and Ali Tootian, who threw their hats in the campaign ring earlier this year.
The Centennial Secondary graduate has lived in the city for 44 years, reads a news release from Bottos, who says he wants to "advocate for complete affordable communities where people can live, work and play."
He adds he seeks a balance between providing infrastructure and housing to meet a growing population, while also being "mindful that our growing city continues to encroach on wildlife habitat."
Bottos also says he supports more education to "ensure public safety while minimizing our impact on our environment."
Concerns of people with disabilities is also an issue, in which Bottos has been a member of Coquitlam's Universal Access-Ability Advisory Committee for the past five years.
He's also been a member of the Tri-Cities Homeless and Housing Task Force for the past year.
Other volunteer posts include scout leader, little league baseball coach, and both executive and volunteer for Royal Canadian Legion's Coquitlam branch (#263).
He is currently employed as a manager with a major retailer.
However, Bottos previously worked as a life skills worker helping special needs adults in the Tri-Cities and North Shore area. Over the years, Bottos has been a union employee, and has been an active leader and activist in the labour movement.
In his release, Bottos states he understands and supports small business concerns, having organized a three-day conference since 2007 and runs a European tour business based on Canada's WWI and WWII war contributions.
"One challenge in growing a community is to ensure that along with infrastructure and services, we have good jobs in the community and small business is key to that."
For more information on his platform, visit his website, which will be officially launched July 1, 2022.
