At Owen Sound Council this Monday, I spoke with Ray Botten as he was preparing to put his name forward for mayor.

Botten said his campaign is focused on raising public awareness about what he described as drug trafficking and drug cartel activity in Owen Sound. He said his motivation is simple: to help save lives.

During our conversation, Botten also expressed concern for his own safety, saying he worries he could be offed for speaking openly about these issues. Even so, he said he believes the risk is worth taking if it helps protect people in the community.

Botten described his motto as “never give up,” and said that saving lives matters more to him than his own life.

Whether residents agree with his framing or want to see more evidence behind the concerns he is raising, Botten’s entry into the mayoral race appears to be centred on one clear message: he wants Owen Sound to take the local drug crisis seriously, and he believes public attention is necessary to prevent further harm.