LiveSmart BC Community Hero
It all starts with an idea
John Alton is an idea guy.
Once he gets his inspiration and he sees how to affect change, he finds a small group of likeminded individuals to work with and they make it happen.
“It” can be anything from the Commuter Challenge to the Nelson Carshare Cooperative to the local outdoor summer markets.
While these projects all have his fingerprints on them, he is quick to admit he can’t do it alone.
“It takes a lot of teamwork and collaboration,” he says.
Shortly after coming to Nelson 14 years ago, Alton said he was inspired to give up his car.
The Nelson Carshare Cooperative was his alternative of choice, but it took a team of eight to ten people three to four years to make it a reality.
Now the program is about to welcome its 100th member in Nelson and the carshare cooperative - with branches already in Revelstoke and Kaslo - may soon have branches in Rossland, Golden, Fernie, and Kimberley.
“If six people sign up to join, we’ll put a branch there,” says Alton.
He is also proud of the Kootenay Rideshare sister group, a web-based ridesharing service.
“I like Rideshare to visit my family in Vancouver.”
Alton has put five years into managing the summer outdoor markets on Hall Street and at Cottonwood Falls and he says it is time for him to retire from that position.
“This community is amazing,” says Alton. “There are people willing to help everywhere.”
This community is also thankful to have someone like John Alton.
