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For seven years, Gord Milsom served as a councillor in West Kelowna. Now, he wants to be mayor.
Milsom announced Friday morning he is taking a run at the city's top chair, a job held for nearly 10 years by Doug Findlater.
Findlater has yet to announce if he will seek a fourth term, electing to make that announcement in the spring.
Milsom did not run for re-election in 2014, deciding instead to focus on a succession plan at his financial planning business.
With his son Daman learning the ropes, Milsom had planned to retire in 2019, but says if he is successful in his mayoral bid on Oct. 20, he will retire immediately to focus on running the city.
Milson said his decision to run has evolved over time, and he has been meeting with community members and business leaders since June.
"I think anyone that runs for public office, for me, one of their primary reasons has to be to make the community better," he said. "I love the community of West Kelowna. I believe in community service."
If elected, Milsom says his top priority would be to build relationships. He says he believes in holding town hall meetings to get immediate public feedback, and says he would reach out to residents and businesses to find out if people are getting value for their tax dollars.
Milsom believes growth is vital to keep the city on the right financial path. He says two per cent yearly growth, which would add about $600,000 in taxes to city coffers, is achievable.
His other priorities include lowering the crime rate, attracting people with special work skills, transportation issues related to seniors, keeping BC Hydro focused on a second power line into the region, running the city more like a business, and overall transportation issues.
He took issue with council's decision earlier this week to reject a budget request for eight additional RCMP officers while it waits for a provincial review on policing in West Kelowna.
"As far as I'm concerned, this should be brought right to the attention of Premier Horgan. Let's deal with that.
"In the meantime, crime is increasing. In my mind, we should increase the number of police officers now. Even if, say, two are approved, it takes about a year to fill those positions."
Voters in West Kelowna, and across the province, go to the polls Oct. 20 to elect new municipal governments.
