Mission now has three people wanting to sit in the vacant mayor’s chair.
Today (Feb. 8) former Mission councillor Rhett Nicholson announced on his Facebook page that he intends to run for the position.
He joins Paul Horn and Cory Cassel who have also announced their plans to seek the mayor’s seat.
READ: Paul Horn first to announce bid for mayor
MORE: Cory Cassel runs for mayor’s seat
According to his Facebook post, Nicholson said he “believes he has what it takes to lead our community forward.”
Nicholson wants to ensure the community that he will be a voice for youth.
“This is something I have been doing for nearly 20 years. We can accomplish a lot if we work together to help our children. They need role models, activities where they can fit in and feel accomplished. A chance to mingle with diversity and find commonalities with people they would normally not connect with.”
Nicholson, a co-owner of Sue’s Copy Place, said he knows how important it is to support local businesses.
“Covid has taken a toll on small businesses. I want to help them rebuild their hope and look to the future. These local businesses shape our culture and community. They provide us with service that online providers cannot.”
He goes on to write that city costs will always rise, meaning property taxes will also increase.
“To stabilize property tax, Mission needs to mitigate those cost increases.”
To do that he said Mission should diversify the tax base to maximize Mission’s limited commercial and industrial space; build condos, apartments and higher densities which yield higher tax revenue per land use, which will subsidize established residential neighbourhoods; and optimize the development department.
Having chaired the Development Department during his time on council, Nicholson sees development as a valuable asset.
“Development is the business side of the local government, and like any business, consistencies and predictability allows for more accurate planning.”
Development also ties into housing affordability, according to Nicholson.
“We have no supply. It is not a build for the sake of building situation. We need transition homes for empty nesters and affordable homes for young adults. Families need to have a safe and stable place to live. To combat rising housing prices for rental or purchase, we need to build smart and fast.”
For more information, visit rhettnicholson.com.