Mission resident Mark Davies, known by many from the local Facebook group Mission BC & Neighbours has entered as one of 19 candidates for this year’s local election.
A relatively new Mission resident, Davies has spent the last four years helping to grow an online community from 2,000 to over 17,000 members. Discussions range from property theft and problems with local recycling to tougher discussions on abuse, addiction, livability and homeless camps.
Davies said that the Facebook group has given him “the ability to connect with and help many Mission residents” and develop a strong understanding of the current challenges and problems that Mission faces, and a vision of what Mission can become.
“As a technology worker with over 25 years of experience in both project management and customer engagement – I am a strong believer in positivity, government transparency and the importance of building personal connections.”
Davies believes the city has made steps in the last four years toward becoming more social and providing its residents a necessary and valuable way to connect with their local government.
“Council needs to push that further and improve the quality and reliability of communications. This would reduce the confusion and misinformation around key initiatives like developments, projects, and policies that can have a negative impact on Mission residents.”
Davies called property theft a hot button topic - particularly for residents that live below 14th Ave.
“This needs to be addressed, and a strategic plan implemented to ensure that this trend is reversed. Our ACT team and bylaw have done a fantastic job helping with this, we now need to build on that foundation.”
He also said council needs to empower the district and its staff to think creatively, try new ideas, and make recommendations to move Mission forward.
“The existing council has set a good foundation in the last four years and the incoming council should now leverage that and implement projects that benefit the citizens of Mission from proposal to reality.”
He has created a Facebook page called Mark Davies for Mission City Council.