Courtenay voters will see three names on the ballot for mayor on Oct. 17.
Manno Theos
Former Courtenay city councillor Manno Theos is running for mayor, hoping to return to city hall.
Theos moved to the Comox Valley in 1991 to operate a restaurant. He said he wanted to become more involved in the community and was first elected to council in 1999, serving for about 20 years.
He said the current council has done a good job maintaining local parks and upgrading playgrounds, but he is concerned about city spending and what he sees as unsustainable property tax increases for residents and businesses.
“Our five year financial plan has 14.7 per cent increase scheduled for 2027 and 14.7 per cent increase for 2028,” Theos said. “This is absolutely unsustainable.”
If elected, Theos said he wants to ensure residents have a voice at city hall and are involved in decision-making.
“I want to ensure that the people of our community can afford to maintain their homes and to continue to feel that their livelihoods in Courtenay have an opportunity for their business to thrive,” Theos said.
He also wants to work with the province on mental health, addiction and homelessness, with the goal of keeping downtown Courtenay safe for businesses.
Theos said one of his main reasons for running for mayor is to set community priorities based on needs rather than wants.
Trish McPhail
A longtime Comox Valley resident is looking to become the next mayor of Courtenay
Trish McPhail has made the valley her home since the 1980s, spending more than 30 years working in the tourism, hospitality and education sectors.
She loves the area’s natural beauty and the many great restaurants operating in the Comox Valley.
McPhail says city council has done well through its last term to look after several active transportation upgrades and park improvement projects while providing several recreation opportunities through adult and youth-focused programs.
“I love the improvements that they [city council] made to accessibility, the new and upgraded playgrounds, and there’s more interpretive signs on the trails,” McPhail said.
She says some of the challenges facing the city include gaps with crisis response, particularly downtown, and wants to see city council do more to support small businesses and prioritize maintaining critical infrastructure.
“We could support local businesses with safety, sanitation, parking, road maintenance and vitality,” McPhail said.
McPhail adds the city needs to continue working with its municipal and regional partners and Komoks First Nation in partnership on large initiatives.
She decided to run for mayor because she loves living in the Comox Valley.
“I want help to do my part to protect and preserve this beautiful valley that we all call home,” said McPhail.
Bob Wells
Courtenay Mayor Bob Wells is hoping voters go to the “Wells” once again as he seeks a third term in the Oct. 17 municipal election.
Wells was first elected to city council in 2014 and became mayor in 2018. He was re-elected in 2022.
Before entering politics, Wells volunteered with several community organizations and ran a local technology company for 15 years.
Wells points to several initiatives during the current council’s term, including reducing residential speed limits to 40 kilometres an hour, upgrading parks and supporting active transportation, collaborating with K’ómoks First Nation and municipal partners and adding more than 1,000 housing units.
“I think about how those things happen, the city doesn’t build houses,” Wells said. “It’s really been about being collaborative, working with non profits, working with developers to make sure that we can deliver on the housing that we need.”
Wells said one of Courtenay’s major challenges over the past year has been the province’s taxation system. He said the city has pursued grants from the federal and provincial governments to help advance projects.
“For us, the big challenge has been working with the province and working with the federal government and making sure we get those grants to help move those projects along,” Wells said.
Wells wants another term to see several projects through, including a new fire hall, further housing initiatives and planned investments at 19 Wing Comox. The Comox Valley Regional District estimates the Department of National Defence will invest about $3 billion in infrastructure, technology and workforce growth at the base over the next decade.
