“When my wife Michelle told me I needed to run for Mayor again, I knew I had to make a choice. Between the demands of the city and My Tech Guys it felt like I was running two marathons, while trying to spend time with my family sailing and relaxing. I made the difficult choice to sell My Tech Guys, so I could focus on being Mayor and spending quality time with my family.”
I’m so excited to announce that I will be running to be re-elected as Mayor for the City of Courtenay.
As a balanced and inclusive leader, I see our biggest challenges and opportunities going forward being affordable housing, First Nations Reconciliation, and Climate Change. All of these challenges require effective working relationships with the Provincial and Federal Governments and I have a proven track record of working with both, regardless of which political party is in power. This is largely due to the fact that I am able to stay focused on solutions and outcomes rather than rhetoric.
Another focus moving forward will be economic development following the dissolution of the Comox Valley Economic Development Society. I believe that I am uniquely qualified as a successful business leader and serial entrepreneur, Chair of the Comox Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, Chair of Startup Comox Valley, mentor for Futrepreneur, and longtime volunteer of the Comox Valley Chamber of Commerce.
The accomplishments listed below are the result of a team effort of staff, elected officials, and our community members. As Mayor I am proud of the infrastructure projects over my tenure, including:
- The 5th St Bridge project to extend the life of the bridge,
- Greenwood and Hudson Trunk to increase sewer capacity,
- and the Water Treatment Project, for which we were able to get a $62.5 million grant.
Infrastructure is key to fiscal responsibility and I am proud of our strong Asset Management program. We were the first BC Municipality to create a bylaw that major projects need to have a full cost of construction, operations, and replacement, so we have a full picture of the financial sustainability; including cost escalations for deferring or postponing projects. We have also increased public safety in our community by strengthening our bylaws and hiring new bylaw officers. This resulted in closing down a long time nuisance property while working with community partners to ensure homeless encampments are safe for those living in the rough. The City has worked hard with partners to ensure the Connect Centre was opened, and when funding seemed impossible we stepped up to make sure this critical service was able to keep going.
On the environmental front we were able to partner with K’omoks First Nation and Project Watershed on the kus-kus-sum project to work towards restoring the Field Sawmill Site to its natural glory. As Chair of the Comox Strathcona Solid Waste Board I was finally able to get the Organics program approved, which will have an incredible impact removing methane from our landfills, which is 25 times more potent than CO2.
On the housing front there have been more than 1200 new residences built in the past few years, helping create the quantity of housing our community requires. While at the same time we have been working with senior levels of Government to open The Braidwood and The Junction to provide non-market affordable housing.
Reconciliation has also been a major priority and I am proud that we have worked hard to find meaningful ways to recognize and support K’omoks First Nation and other indigenous groups in Courtenay.
I love this community. I am inspired by the amazing citizens that call Courtenay home and decide to work or do business here. As a volunteer I have worked side by side with some of the most passionate and effective people in the world supporting Arts, Social, Environmental, Economic, and Youth programs and events.
When my wife Michelle told me I needed to run for Mayor again, I knew I had to make a choice. Between the demands of the city and My Tech Guys it felt like I was running two marathons, while trying to spend time with my family sailing and relaxing. I made the difficult choice to sell My Tech Guys, so I could focus on being Mayor and spending quality time with my family. It seemed obvious where I was needed as my fellow elected officials had elected me Chair of the Comox Valley Regional District, Chair of the Comox Valley Economic Recovery Task Force, and Chair of the Island Coastal Economic Trust Regional Advisory Committee, to help shepherd both Courtenay and the Comox Valley through some very challenging times.
Please support me for my re-election and vote Bob Wells for Mayor on October 15, 2022.
