“Having served on Comox town council and the Comox Valley Credit Union board, volunteered for 15 years with Mount Washington’s Adaptive Snowsports, served on the World Community Board, volunteered with a host of community organizations and officiated weddings all over the Valley, running for a seat on council feels a little like walking into Cheers — where everybody knows your name,” says Courtenay council candidate Norm Reynolds.
“I believe, like many, that Valley-wide governance has many advantages. However, it seems obvious to me that we have Valley-wide governance in place — it’s called Comox Valley Regional District.
“One amalgamation proponent recently told me that the regional district allows too much autonomy for outlying communities — it lets the Comox mayor tell us where to put a homeless shelter and it lets the people of Union Bay decide what kind of subdivisions should be in their community.
"Following that conversation, I was convinced we need a voice on council that wants to build on the co-operative relations and the goodwill that we are already generating in our local governance body rather than shaking a stick at our neighbours.
“One of my first priorities will be a Comox Valley Citizens Task Force on Transportation for the 21st century. It makes no sense to see vehicles idling in traffic jams while our Vancouver-sized buses circulate with two or three passengers on schedules that don’t reflect how people live in the Comox Valley.
“I was proud to be part of the Stop the HST effort that I believe telegraphs to municipal politicians that they, too, must end this shifting more and more taxes onto the shoulders of those who can least afford it.”
Reynolds can be reached at 250-338-0155 any day but Tuesday or Sunday or e-mail ngreynoldsng@gmail.com, see Norm’s Facebook page or visit his blog at http://matters-norm.blogspot.com.
— Norm Reynolds