Jim Abram is once again hoping to be the Strathcona Regional District’s representative for Electoral Area C (Discovery Islands-Mainland Inlets).
He announced on a Facebook post over the May long weekend that he was putting his name forward again.
“I have never considered that I would not,” he later told the Mirror.
Four years ago, Abram retained the seat through acclamation. This week, he tried to deliver the news he is running in this fall’s election in an understated fashion.
“I hate to use the word ‘running.’ I’m not looking for a campaign,” he said.
On the Facebook post, Abram cited numerous projects as some of his continuing priorities.
“I have so many projects on the go at this time that are all proceeding positively and I would love to see them through to completion,” he wrote.
These include bringing fibre optic connectivity to all communities; housing issues; procuring old school district properties on Stuart Island; adding a sewer connection for Cape Mudge Village; undertaking a seismic upgrade at the community centre/emergency reception centre; and finding a solution for north island fire service needs.
“That’s just the tip of the iceberg,” he told the Mirror.
Abram also confirmed that Dan Mackenzie wishes to stay on as his alternate at the board.
“He has done a great job in my occasional absence,” Abram wrote on Facebook.
Abram, who lives on Quadra Island, has been an SRD director since February 2008, and before the creation of the SRD, was a director of the Comox Strathcona Regional District from 1988 to 2008. He served 2002 to 2006 as chair and was elected SRD board chair for two years, in 2014 and 2015, as well as vice chair for the 2016 term.
Along with the SRD’s committee of the whole and electoral areas services committee, Abrams’s regional district committee work includes the BC Ferries Coast Regional District Chair Group; DFO Finfish Advisory Committee; Offshore Pacific Area of Interest Advisory Committee; Marine Planning Partnership MaPP Committee; and We Wai Kai Treaty Advisory Committee.
He also served on the Union of B.C. Municipalities executive for 10 years, including a term as president.