After consultation with colleagues, community members, and my family, I have decided to run for a third term as Mayor for the City of Vernon. Much has been accomplished over the last 8 years, including delivering on the community’s referendum for the Active Living Centre (to be opened in the fall), tourism growth, housing growth (2300 units), much enhanced light industrial spaces providing sites for new and growing enterprises, upgraded transportation infrastructure for vehicles and other modes, wastewater treatment systems, and new and improved parks.
I have received encouragement from the greater community to continue leading as Mayor, to build on the body of work our council has achieved. My education, including a Master’s in Community Economics and Planning, along with a long history of community development work and consulting on three continents, had given me the knowledge and skills in facilitation, community coordination, leadership, critical thinking and advocacy required of an effective Mayor.
I have been able to work towards enhanced relationships with our community neighbours, which includes OKIB, Coldstream, the electoral areas, and our other Regional District neighbours. My leadership experience and skills have resulted in effective advocacy representing Vernon to our Provincial government. These have resulted in vast improvements in social housing, wildfire risk reduction activities in our drinking water catchment lands, in capital projects funding and approvals, and in joint advocacy on Valley wide transportation infrastructure.
I have led our efforts on sub-regional activities, which include the very serious work of managing Greater Vernon Water, enhancing our trails network, securing additional natural spaces for our local environment and public enjoyment, and designing of and getting under construction the Greater Vernon Cultural Centre.
However, there are significant projects underway for the benefit of the community that need mayoral stewardship. Some of those include The Greater Vernon Cultural Centre, additional upgrades to Polson Park, Kin Race Track Park, enhanced creekside public spaces along BX, Vernon and Pottery Creeks, and the filling of industrial lands.
Vernon must continue to support a wide mix of housing, and commercial and industrial development, as directed by the Official Community Plan that was developed by our citizens. The OCP will guide Vernon to build additional climate change resiliency, and evolve a compact, livable City with all the affordability and attractiveness benefits that they bring.
I am committed to lead our community as we work on these, and all of the many other issues that will make the work of City of Vernon council challenging and immensely rewarding over the next four years.
Media contact:
Victor Cumming
250-309-0311
vcumming@outlook.com