Resident David Brown is hoping to put his years of government service to use in the Town of Ladysmith as a councillor.
A former environmental protection manager, he would like to be part of a council moving forward on several issues including the environment.
Brown said he is used to being very busy and now that he is retired, he sees civic life as a good way get involved.
“I’ve got a lot out of this province and I’d like to give something back now,” said Brown.
Brown noted one of Ladysmith’s key assets is its beauty and work must be done to protect the mountains and the harbour.
“We have to protect both of them,” said Brown, who also sits on the town’s liquid waste management committee.
“The harbour is a valuable resource for us, for tourism and our citizens, there is also fisheries value in it.
“We have to make sure we don’t push it beyond its capability.”
Over the next term, Brown would like to see the Liquid Waste Management Plan completed and secondary treatment completed.
“That should be achievable,” he said.
Brown also wants to turn some attention to Slack Point.
While he understands it is owned by the province, he would like to see the area cleaned up to be an asset instead of a risk.
“There is metal sticking out of the ground ... it is not safe for anyone down there. It wouldn’t take much to get the area cleaned up and get it going.”
Along the waterfront, Brown would also like to see a campground set up at either Slack Beach or Transfer Beach.
“We need something to pull people into Ladysmith as tourists. We need to get these RVs that are ripping by us, to stay here.”
Brown said throughout his career he has learned projects need to be broken down into small steps.
“You get a success and people are with you to get to the next level.”
Brown said while he is no stranger to government and working with politicians and bureaucrats, learning the steps, stages and pace of being an elected official will be something new — especially when it comes to the budgeting process.
“The first budget comes out in December to March ... I’m going to be in a learning curve for that one so I’m fully up to speed for the second and third.”