Coun. Jag Gill has announced that he is seeking a second term on Mission Council.
In a press release sent to the Mission Record, Gill wrote “I love Mission! It has shaped who I am. When my parents chose to leave their home in India in order to start a better life, they chose Mission. They chose a life that would have better options for their children. I was born in Mission, brought up here, built a business here, got married here, and hope to raise my kids here.”
Gill says when he decided to run for council four years ago, he ran with the platform of being “accessible, accountable, and transparent.”
“I didn’t pretend to know everything and promised to learn. I believe I have delivered on that mandate. I asked to become one of the six council members, who would help develop the future of Mission. This time around, I want to build on my original mandate of accessibility, accountability, and transparency, and I want to take on a leading role, hold all council members accountable for their decisions,” Gill wrote.
He called the past four years the best years of his life.
“To serve the community that I love is truly a blessing. Not every day was a fun day, but every day was a good day. There were challenges, a global pandemic, red tape, short-sighted planning, not understanding staff capacity, and block voting where politics and feelings interfered in what was best for Mission.”
Gill said council has done a lot of good in the past four years including the opening of the Boswyk Centre for senior’s, the pump track for the youth, controlled crosswalks, 14th Avenue sidewalks, the twinning of the sewer crossing, Habitat for Humanity Housing project and more, but he believes the job is not done.
He wants to focus on ensuring City Hall runs efficiently and that taxpayers get the value for their tax dollars.
“Creating a complete community, more affordable housing, liveable wage jobs, arts and culture, prioritize providing more amenities, one water park isn’t enough.”
He also wants to strategically lobby both the Provincial and Federal governments for Mission’s fair share of funding in the form of hospital upgrades, schools, bypass, and FOUNDRY.
“I have never turned down a meeting, nor have I run from justifying a decision. Every vote I make comes with hours of research and Mission’s long-term future in mind. No ego, no personal feelings, no political pressure, just Mission on my mind. Mission is my priority.
“The small-town feel is the fabric of our community and it is important to me that we don’t lose that. Four years ago, Mission took a chance on a kid who couldn’t grow a beard and I hope I made you proud. Now I ask that you allow me to continue living my dream and serving you, the residents of Mission, who are that fabric.”
For more on Jag Gill, visit www.JagGill.ca.