Comox Valley Regional District voters in Area B will see three names on the ballot for mayor on Oct. 17.
Arzeena Hamir
Arzeena Hamir is hoping to return to local government, running for director of Comox Valley Regional District Electoral Area B, also known as Lazo North.
Hamir moved to the Comox Valley in 2012 and served as Area B director from 2018 to 2022. Her family owns Amara Farm, and she said she wants to support new farmers moving to the community.
“Food security is a huge issue for me,” Hamir said. “I want our community to have access to healthy food. I really want to support new farmers to be able to come here and farm for the community.”
Hamir said bike lanes and infrastructure improvements around Lazo have been highlights of the past regional district term. However, she said she has been hearing more concerns than positive feedback from residents while door-knocking.
She said housing is needed in the Comox Valley, but some Area B residents have raised concerns about major developments near Aspen Road, citing traffic, noise and dust.
“Construction is not happening in the town centre as the Official Community Plan had planned for,” Hamir said. “Instead, it’s going up right against Area B. We’re losing a lot of forest and tree cover, and we’re getting traffic onto rural roads that don’t have sidewalks.”
Hamir said she wants to ensure Area B residents’ concerns are heard by local government and municipal partners.
She said she has unfinished business from her previous term and hopes voters will give her another chance to serve.
Rich Hardy
Rich Hardy is seeking re-election as director of Comox Valley Regional District Electoral Area B, also known as Lazo North.
Hardy is a member of K’ómoks First Nation, grew up in the Comox Valley and currently serves as a K’ómoks First Nation councillor. He was unavailable for an interview, but has published his platform online.
Hardy points to several accomplishments from his first term, including the Lazo Greenway multi-use path, shoreline restoration at qapoje Park, formerly known as Dyke Road Park, support for non-market housing and a permanent home for Comox Valley Search and Rescue.
If re-elected, Hardy said he wants to focus on responsible spending, road maintenance and protecting green space. He also wants to continue advocating for safety improvements at Huband Road and Highway 19A, and at Ryan Road and Idiens Way.
Other priorities include advocating for water storage facilities, reviewing the Regional Growth Strategy and working with partners on plans for the Comox Valley Island Rail Corridor.
