David Scarlatescu, the owner of a downtown Vernon bistro and co‑founder of a local media venture, has launched a campaign for a seat on Vernon city council in the Oct. 17 election, signalling a small‑business voice in municipal politics.
From storefront to city hall contender
At 28, Scarlatescu has spent most of his adult life building a profile in Vernon's core commercial area. He purchased The Fig — previously operating as The Sprouted Fig — in 2017 when he was 19 and grew the restaurant into a notable downtown fixture. He also helped create and produce the locally made video series Hello Okanagan, which ran for more than 150 episodes.
“This city raised me. It's where I grew up, where I built my business, and where my wife and I have chosen to put down roots. I'm running because I want to keep serving the community that's given me so much.”
Scarlatescu said his campaign will concentrate on measures to back small enterprises, retain younger residents who might otherwise leave Vernon, and pursue growth that expands housing and infrastructure while preserving the qualities that make the city feel like home.
Service built around food and community support
Beyond operating a restaurant, Scarlatescu has organised and delivered community food programs during emergencies and for vulnerable residents. In 2020 he launched a free meal delivery service aimed at Vernon seniors unable to leave their homes; the initiative delivered more than 1,000 meals to housebound residents. He has also organised complimentary meals for wildfire evacuees and firefighters and hosts an annual free Remembrance Day meal for veterans with no proof of service required.
Those activities underscore a campaign profile that ties small‑business ownership to direct community service — a combination that can resonate in municipal contests where local economic resilience and emergency response are council responsibilities.
- Business credentials: Purchased The Fig in 2017 at age 19; co‑created Hello Okanagan video series (over 150 episodes).
- Community initiatives: 2020 meal‑delivery program for seniors (more than 1,000 meals); free meals for evacuees and firefighters; annual Remembrance Day veterans' meal.
- Campaign priorities: support for small businesses, retaining younger residents, managed growth for housing and infrastructure.
Electoral context
Scarlatescu joins a field that already includes Stuart Anderson and Distin Griffin, who have announced bids for council. The mayoral race will see incumbent councillor Kari Gares and sitting mayor Victor Cumming seeking the city's top post.
Municipal councillors influence a range of issues that affect the local business environment — zoning, downtown planning, property taxes, parking and municipal supports for events and promotion. A candidate with hands‑on small‑business experience may tilt debate toward practical supports for downtown merchants and policies aimed at keeping younger entrepreneurs and workers in the community.
| Area | Details from campaign biography |
|---|---|
| Business ownership | Owner of The Fig Bistro; acquired in 2017 |
| Media | Co‑founder and producer of Hello Okanagan (150+ episodes) |
| Community service | 2020 seniors' meal deliveries (1,000+ meals); emergency and veterans' meals |
For voters and observers focused on economic recovery and local development, Scarlatescu's candidacy offers a lens into how small‑business priorities might shape municipal policy debates. His platform ties familiar downtown concerns — affordable housing, infrastructure and the vitality of local shops and restaurants — to his record of delivering food‑based community services during crises.
As the campaign proceeds, policy specifics and council dynamics will determine how influential a new councillor with a restaurateur's background can be in shaping Vernon's post‑pandemic economic direction.
