by Kevin Mills
Mission Record
An inauguration ceremony was held Wednesday night (Nov. 2) for Mission’s newly elected mayor and council.
The ceremonial event took place at the Clarke Foundation Theatre and saw each winning candidate - Councillors Mark Davies, Angel Elias, Jag Gill, Carol Hamilton, Ken Herar and Danny Plecas, along with Mayor Paul Horn – recite their oaths of office before taking their new seats at the council table.
Horn took to the podium to present his inaugural address. He spoke of the work and challenges that the past council faced and talked about what to expect in the coming years.
“These are difficult times. In my 56 years, I don’t recall a time when there were so many reasons to feel stressed. I could sit here tonight and enumerate the obstacles that stand before us, but you already know them all too well. My job is to remind you that we are stronger than those obstacles, provided we are all together.
“These challenges are all around us, but we are at a particular crossroads here in Mission. As people come to our community in ever-growing numbers, we must decide how we will greet them and how we will maintain the community we have all come to love.”
Horn said the vital work that was begun in the last four years needs to develop further.
“One of our priorities must continue to be community visioning, planning and engagement.
“Our visioning process will allow us to define what we mean by the community of Mission. It will inform future generations, both those that choose to stay and those who wish to come here sometime in the future.”
Horn pointed to the a new policy, “Our Neighbourhood Approach” that requires developers to work closely with community members before they bring in an application.
He said a second priority is boosting Mission’s economy and employment.
“For too long, we have lost our neighbours every day to commuting. As inflationary pressures hit us all, especially in the gas tank, affordability will depend on the opportunity to work close to home. Employers want us to help generate more local opportunities, first by designating appropriate lands for employment use, and second by expediting the development process.
“Employers also want us to work closely with post-secondary educators so that a wider supply of work-ready people is found in our community, so we will be working alongside UFV, Mission Public Schools and other partners to make more opportunities for post- secondary education possible right here in Mission.”
Horn also told the crowd that projects under development from the previous council will continue.
“Yes, the Waterfront and Silverdale plans will both move forward. These plans are your plans, built from a record amount of community input. The Waterfront Revitalization Master Plan will focus on creating jobs and destination uses that will make us proud once again of the southern gateway to our city. The Silverdale Central Neighbourhood Plan will create new neighbourhoods that will set the standard for walkability and environmental protection.
“You have my commitment that both plans will move forward with three critical predicates. First, your voices and those of the landowners will always be actively sought and valued as we progress. Second, the rights of landowners will never be compromised. Third, community resources will always be used with care and transparency.”
According to Horn, a third priority is ensuring Mission is ready for growth.
“This will mean many things, but first amongst them is ensuring that our public safety services keep up with our growing population numbers. We need both a fourth fire station and a new RCMP building. We need more firefighters and more RCMP members.”
The environment is Mission’s fourth priority.
“For the first time in 13 years, we have an up-to-date Environmental Charter, and we will begin the process of implementing it soon. One of the very first steps will be the creation of an Environmental Charter action committee, one which will invite you to play an active role in implementing each of the 70 recommendations it contains.
“We will also have work to do during this term when it comes to planning for our solid waste collection and recycling programs. I believe we can do better, making it easier and more convenient for people to divert their waste and preserve our beautiful spaces.”
Horn stressed the need to work with community organizations and all levels of government in order to prosper.
“Maybe it’s because we live in the presence of such an enormous force as the Fraser River, but we have always known that we can only succeed if we paddle together. Over the next four years, there will be voices that try to divide us. There will be challenges that make us question who we are and who we want to be. There will be times when we may be tempted to turn against ourselves, but for us – this Council - the work will always be the same. Mission is a community of neighbours, and we must always keep your names in our hearts and minds as we push forward.”
To read Horn’s complete speech, visit mission.ca