Inaugural Address
December 5, 2011
I am honoured and humbled by the support given to me and my Council colleagues this past election season. Clearly, the people of Mission have spoken and loudly said they are looking for change.
Today is the beginning of a new chapter for Mission. I will lead the way in guiding the initiatives that were supported by the Mission voters.
I will institute a task force to deal with the Core Service Review, which will allow Council to bring in a budget at Target Zero, which means 2011 levels.
I believe that developers looking to invest, and businesses looking to relocate, will migrate to our community when they realize that Mission’s business model is one that emphasizes time-sensitive decisions, a deep understanding and consideration of controlled taxes, and putting the taxpayer first. We will lead the way in controlling municipal taxes in the Province of British Columbia.
As your new Mayor I will emphasize, through our Economic Development Office, the expansion of our tax base through quality development rather than tax increases that are over double the rate of inflation and population growth. That was a clear message sent to me on November 19th.
The bottom line is, effective today, the District of Mission is open for business. Simply call the Mayor.
Mission Council will function as an open government. In-camera meetings will be kept to a minimum and will primarily be held for legal, land, and labour issues. All other processes of government will be dealt with in public.
On the issue of our seniors, who during the election season expressed deep concerns about having their own Seniors Center, as I promised I will look at every available option, in close consultation with our seniors. Council will make a decision regarding a Seniors Centre, which is in the best interest of Missions seniors and Missions taxpayers. This also will be done in a timely manner.
During the election season we promised to ensure that the Sturgeons on the River Project, also known as “McBarge”, would be brought forward to public hearing in a speedy manner. That, ladies and gentlemen, will happen.
I look forward to moving ahead with a positive group of individual thinking councillors, whose opinions I deeply respect and whose common goal is the betterment of our community.
In closing, I look forward to serving the citizens of Mission for the next three years by providing a new era of stewardship that will emphasize positive economic opportunity, taxation stability, and open government.
THANK YOU