Neil Smith has announced that he will be running for a council seat in Mission.
Born and raised in the UK, Smith came to Canada 25 years ago and has lived and worked in Mission for the past six years.
“I am running because I think in the absence of Jenny Stevens, there is a need for more progressive voices on council,” said Smith. “In a recent council meeting she asked why we keep allowing residential growth without a corresponding growth in job creation in Mission. Good question I say.”
Smith said he began to realize, with encouragement from others, that running for council may be the best way for him to contribute to the community.
He feels important issues range from the long-standing struggle to find a solution to the provincial highway passing through the downtown, to where people can let their dogs off-leash.
Other issues include what can council do to ensure a thriving arts community, to how can we help the province through the addiction crisis that is affecting the community.
“Are we prepared for an emergency whether caused by an earthquake or wacky weather inspired by climate change. I consider the ice-storm last winter as a warning shot from Mother Earth. As a councillor I would be expected to consider all these and many more from the mundane to the critical.”
“I recognize that making grandiose promises at election time is commonplace, I also think it can be foolish on the basis of one vote on council, so I am restraining myself from doing this. What I can promise is that I will consider every re-zoning application, by-law variance and issue brought to council with care, guided by the Official Community Plan which includes many of the aspirations of Mission residents for our community.”