Town of Creston Council 2022-2026

Mayor Arnold DeBoon

Mayor DeBoon, who is currently serving his first term as Mayor, and second term on Council, transferred to Creston with his family in 1990 and for 23 years served the Creston area as a Conservation Officer. Arnie noted that he was fortunate to be promoted during his time here without having to transfer to a new community or area, and that he retired as a Sergeant, in charge of field operations for the entire West Kootenay region.

Arnie has always had an interest in community, and has served as the Chair of the Creston Trinity Housing Society for more than 28 years and on the Board of Directors for the Valley Community Services Board for the past 8 years. In his career, Arnie also served as President of the Society of BC Conservation Officers.

Arnie's wife, Wendy, is a retired Community nurse. They fill their time with camping and related outdoor pursuits, traveling, scouring the hills for huckleberries, and providing community service. Their two sons, Steve and Matt, grew up in Creston. Steve now lives in Calgary, employed by the Alberta Energy Regulator as part of a team that monitors carbon emissions from the oil industry, fighting climate change. Matt and his wife Jessica returned to Creston in 2015, where Matt teaches grade five/six at Erickson Elementary School, and Jessica teaches at Canyon-Lister School. They are parents to Oliver, currently Arnie and Wendy’s one and only grandchild.

Arnold.DeBoon@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 111

Councillor Monique Arès

Monique Arès is a first-time councilor for the Town of Creston, elected in 2022. Monique moved to the Creston valley as a teenager and spent her early summers coaching the local swim team, sorting cherries, and working in fruit stands and orchards. After moving to Victoria and completing a Bachelor of Justice Studies, she moved back to the valley and has made Creston home with her partner, Jacob, and their one-year-old daughter. Monique has been working at Kootenay Employment Services for the past six years where she is actively involved in addressing the economic and social needs of the community. She is currently completing a Master of Social work and has a keen interest in social policy.

Monique has had the privilege of watching Creston grow and change over the last 20 years, and she is committed to supporting Creston’s future by fostering social wellbeing and environmental sustainability. She has been appointed to both the Creston and District Library Board and the Economic Action Partnership and acts as an alternate for the Community Arts Council of Creston. Monique is the happiest when she is outdoors, tending to her growing garden, and trying out new recipes with her family.

Monique.Ares@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 112

Councillor Keith Baldwin

First elected in 2021, Keith and his wife Susan moved to Creston in the summer of 2020 after concluding that nowhere else in the province would do and ultimately finding their “forever” home. Prior to retirement and the move to Creston, Keith spent 33 years working for the BC public service in administration and project coordination, most recently with 26 years in Ministry of Tourism agencies: the Royal BC Museum, Tourism BC and Destination BC. Prior to that he spent 7 years in hospitality and parks/recreation roles, completing his education at Selkirk College in Castlegar and subsequently at Camosun College and University of Victoria.

Admiring the professional reputation of Mayor DeBoon, the current council and Town administration, Keith aspires to serve and support the team with his administrative planning, reporting and analysis experience, making a positive impact on the community that he and his wife became so enchanted with.

Keith is a keen recreational cyclist and kayaker, also spending much of his down-time exploring the area walking his two small dogs.

keith.baldwin@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 112

Councillor Denise Dumas

Denise was born and raised in Cranbrook, BC and has lived in Creston since 2009. She feels privileged to be the third generation in her family to serve on Council for the Town of Creston.

Denise has been a contract painter and has owned her own business since 2006. She currently volunteers as Vice-President on the Cresteramics board, and is a director on the Trails for Creston Valley Society and Valley Community Services boards. She volunteered coaching basketball when her kids were in school.

Denise and her husband have been married for 25 years and have 4 grown children. Any free time she has you will find Denise hiking or snowshoeing up a mountain. Her favourite local hike is on Thompson Mountain going up Sullivan Creek Trail to West Ridge Trail to Hand Glider lookout and down Pack Trail. Climbing Fisher Peak was a great accomplishment and her all time favourite hike is Heiko’s Trail.

Denise.Dumas@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 112

Councillor Norm Eisler

Councillor Eisler is taking his second kick at the proverbial political can. He has always taken humour seriously and plans on putting the “elation” back in public relations. Norm was born and raised in Wawota, Saskatchewan on a grain and cattle farm that has been in his family for 119 years. He moved to Creston in 2012 after spending many years on Vancouver Island. Creston has proven to be a great community to raise his children and create lasting relationships. A lifelong learner, he always tries to learn from the mistakes of others who take his advice. Norm has been a self employed Registered Massage Therapist for the last 20 years after working for 12 years in forestry. He plays many sports and has coached youth volleyball, basketball and baseball in the community. An avid hiker, he would rather be in the woods than anywhere else. He wants to continue to be part of creating an affordable and inclusive community where everyone can can feel safe to express their true selves and feel valued. His personal slogan is “Bringing mirth to the earth since 1970.

Norm.Eisler@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 112

Councillor Jim Elford

Councillor Elford, who is currently serving his third term on Council, came to Creston 43 years ago with his family to become a partner in a local Insurance Brokerage. Prior to moving to Creston Jim was a Chief Underwriter with an International Insurance Company. After over 30 years with Herchmer Insurance, Jim sold the company and retired in 2010. While in business, Jim served on the Boards and Advisory Boards for 4 national and multinational companies.

A volunteer firefighter for 21 years, and an Auxiliary RCMP Constable for 10 years, Jim was honoured with the Citizen of the Year award in 1997. Jim also served on the Boards of Minor Hockey, the Creston Golf Club and Creston Thunder Hockey Club. He enjoyed playing old timers’ hockey and in 1993 Jim Chaired the Creston Valley Restructure Study.

Jim and his wife Teresa have been married for 50 years and have 3 children, and 4 grandchildren. Besides enjoying their family, Jim and Teresa enjoy their time at the lake, golfing and boating. They have visited 23 countries and enjoyed those travels.

Jim.Elford@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 112

Councillor Anthony Mondia

Anthony Mondia was first elected as councillor for the Town of Creston in 2022. He serves as the Town's representative to the RDCK's Joint Resource Recovery Committee and Arrow Creek Water Committee, as well as the Creston Valley Chamber of Commerce.

Born and raised in Sidney, BC, Anthony completed his degree in Montreal at McGill University specializing in economic theory and returned to BC to obtain his Certified Managerial Accountants (now CPA) designation. He resides in Creston as it reminds him of his home village in Switzerland and provides easy access to the backcountry.

An early advocate of technology and entrepreneurship, Anthony was part of the teams of two $100mm+ acquisitions and played a central role in a software startup raise seed and series A financing of $6.5mm. He also managed a $6mm non-profit investment fund and has helped new businesses and community organizations obtain $10mm+ in grant funding for projects with significant economic impact in areas such as health care, forestry and agriculture.

Anthony.Mondia@creston.ca | 250-428-2214 ext. 112