Kosowan Is the current Deputy Mayor and Councillor with the town of Choiceland and Previous fire chief on the Choiceland Volunteer Fire Dept. Kosowan has served on the town council for multiple terms. A prominent local leader, business owner, and respected community member, he is a long-standing fixture in the community's local governance and business sectors.
Outside of public office, Kosowan is well-known locally as a businessman. He operates as the owner/operator of Choiceland Auto, co-owner of 50 Shades of Green Cannabis Co. & Torch River Tavern, all in the Town of Choiceland!
Torch River Tavern - Sundown Saloon - Alongside his wife Cheri, they purchased the former Sundown Saloon in February 2025, transforming it into the Torch River Tavern / Sundown Saloon. Completing renovations adding an outside patio for smoking or enjoying the sun on hot days. Music is now playing during the day instead of poker TV, Music plays on the patio as well, all new large TV's throughout including a massive 100" in the main dining area, perfect for the Rider Games!
Cheri and Doug (Mostly Cheri :p) completed an expansive kitchen and menu upgrade/reno. The menu has transformed from fair bar grub with amazing pizza, to elevated pub food, with the same FAMOUS Pizza recipe from Dorthy. There is still a private meeting/dining room available, where the ping pong used to be located. Also renovated, was the VLT room, kitchen and main dining area, They now have two beer on draft. The bar also carries a small selection of non alcoholic beers. The free pool table is a popular hit! The changes Doug and Cheri have made to the local watering hole are welcomed by residents!Choiceland Auto: Doug is also the owner/operator of Choiceland Auto, a Signature Tire dealer in Choiceland (also known as Choiceland Auto Repair), providing mechanical and tire services to the area. Located right on Railway avenue, also includes the Buggy wash.
Doug Kosowan’s achievements on the Choiceland Town Council focus heavily on regional safety, long-term governance stability, and community-driven healthcare initiatives. Because Choiceland operates as a small, collaborative municipal council, specific policy rollouts are usually credited to the team as a whole rather than a single individual, however Doug's key accomplishments and focus areas from his tenure include:
1. Emergency Management and Fire Safety Coordination
Wildfire Crisis Response: Leveraging his dual role as Town Councillor and previously, Fire Chief, Kosowan spearheaded local response efforts during unprecedented, destructive regional wildfire seasons.
Inter-Municipal Command: He successfully coordinated mutual aid operations between the Choiceland and Smeaton fire crews, including setting up temporary base camps at local sports grounds to manage incoming supplies and personnel for the 2025 SHOE fires
Active Community Protection: He has gained public recognition for hands-on enforcement and defense of town boundary safety, including personally detaining an individual attempting to light fires along Highway 55, during the 2025 devastating SHOE wildfires up north.
2. Improving Local Healthcare Access
Nurse Practitioner (NP) Recruitment: As part of the town council, Kosowan has been heavily involved in exploring and structuring models to bring a Nurse Practitioner into town on a weekly basis.
Expanding Essential Services: This council initiative aims to grant residents localized access to vaccinations, primary care assessments, minor injury treatment, and diagnostic testing without needing to travel to larger hubs.
3. Civic Stability and Community Trust
Long-Term Leadership: First elected as a councillor in the 2016 municipal elections, Kosowan has provided a decade of uninterrupted governance to the town, eventually rising to the position of Deputy Mayor.
Low-Conflict Governance: Under his and Mayor Rob Mardell's leadership, the council has been publicly commended by local rate-payers for maintaining a stable, drama-free administrative environment relative to neighboring rural municipalities.
When you see Doug around, don't forget to thank him for his service!
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