Dear Editor,
Thank you to all those candidates who allowed their names to stand for election and their committees who assisted on the campaigns. Congratulations to Mayor-elect Murray Skeels, the six councillors, our two Islands Trustees and the School Board Trustees.
While campaigning was a demanding and exhausting task, the real hard work has now just started. There is no need to roll call the extensive agenda which was thoroughly discussed over the past four weeks. The gauntlet has been thrown down as to the progress the fresh, new-faced council will achieve under Mayor Murray’s leadership which can only be achieved with an open-minded, balanced, cohesive council collectively working for the best interests and wellbeing for the majority of the community. Progressing within our means while taxes only increase by the CPI is a much desired objective. I suggest broadening our tax base is/should be uppermost in the council’s mind.
Thanks to the vision and commitment to the revitalization of Snug Cove, our present council has a ready-made project that deserves prompt approval by the new council, which will quickly demonstrate their commitment to Cove improvements, employment and broadening the tax base: the Bowen Island Pub redevelopment. Let it start at the top of the hill and work its way down to the ferry. Maybe Lot 2 can be next? The owners of Village Square gave revitalization a kick start, so let’s keep it going. I see the Pub project as a bellwether project for our new council to get off on the right foot.
In conclusion, my thanks to those current council members, who for one reason or another, have hung up their council shingles. We appreciate your dedication, hard work and efforts to make ours a better community.
Bruce Russell
