Former two-term councillor Ziggy Stewart is running once again for city council.
Stewart, who served as councillor between 2005-2008 and 2008-2011, lost his seat on council after an unsuccessful bid for mayor in the last election.
“Although I was not successful in that election, being away from council for the past three years has given me time to reflect on how much I enjoyed being a city councillor,” Stewart says. “Serving on council is an experience like none other when it comes to learning how your city operates.”
As a city councillor, Stewart served as chairman of two different task forces. One of these was the Campbell River Crime Reduction Strategy which Stewart says has shown positive results and is still being used today.
The other, the Future of Forestry Task Force, developed a marketing brochure used to attract clean and green forestry businesses and jobs to the community.
In addition, Stewart promoted the yard waste collection service and the Willis Road yard waste drop-off site.
Stewart also served as the city’s representative on the Comox Strathcona Regional Hospital board and “diligently worked with fellow board members to ensure a new hospital would be built in Campbell River,” he says.
Stewart said if elected he will work to bring council together into a more cohesive unit with the city’s best interests in mind.
“I would like to rebuild a professional council whose members work together for the greater good of Campbell River,” Stewart says. “Even when ideas and views might differ, my goal would be to have respectful debates and arrive at good decisions. This would give your council the ability to move forward as a team without the divisiveness which has plagued our present council.”
Stewart said while he wants to see council get along, different views and opinions are necessary for an effective council.
“I do not support the concept of so-called slate of councillors as this would remove the individuality and strength of each member,” Stewart says.
“I am a team player and welcomed working with my colleagues on council but I was also willing to, from time to time, challenge mayor and council on issues coming before council.”
Stewart said if he is elected to city council he will do all he can to help secure funding from senior levels of government to reduce the need to increase taxes to pay for city projects.
“I would like to help the incoming mayor work toward controlling taxation levels and finding new ways to fund projects,” Stewart said.
“During my two terms of office I had the opportunity of developing very good working relationships with both provincial and federal government politicians and bureaucrats and I know that this sort of cooperation can be very helpful for our city.
“Many challenges and opportunities are facing your new council and I believe I have the experience and skills to help this new council get the job done.”
Election day is Saturday, Nov. 15.