The first candidate for Mission’s open mayor seat has thrown his hat in the ring.
Paul Horn, a former District of Mission councillor and well-known community member, announced his intention to run in the spring by-election on Wednesday evening (Nov. 18).
“I have a real passion for community and for Mission in particular. There’s a blurry line between my pastimes and my work because I simply enjoy connecting and doing what I can to make Mission better,” Horn said. “My family has lived here for five generations.
“I think I have a very strong sense of what makes Mission work.”
Horn served as a councillor from 2005 to 2011, and continues to work on community projects such as the Stone Soup Initiative, Grapevine Food Sharing and Mission Hot Seat.
He said he believes his experience, acumen, vision and relationship skills are the right tools to lead Mission. Making the decision to run wasn’t easy, Horn said, but he’s stepping forward because of the current challenges facing the district.
“I get a chance to work with some of the most dynamic people anywhere when I interact with local community leaders. That includes our current council, all of whom I consider respected friends and neighbours. I would be excited to work alongside of them.”
Managing the post-pandemic economy, navigating Mission’s land-use planning (particularly the Silverdale and the waterfront areas), ensuring more people can work closer to home and maintaining the environment are listed among Horn’s top priorities in a news release sent out on Wednesday.
Horn said his passion for social causes will continue if he’s elected mayor.
“We have a multi-year financial plan, a comprehensive land-use plan, and even a plan for our parks and trails, but our social and healthcare infrastructure hasn’t had a comprehensive plan for quite some time,” he said. “There is work being done on that right now, and I want to see it become a reality.”
No date has yet been marked for the by-election, Horn has not yet submitted his nomination papers – but said he intends to be the “first to the door.”
“Until then, I’ll be asking people in Mission to tell me what they are looking for and to stay tuned.”
To reach Horn call 604-897-0239 or PaulHornforMission@gmail.com.