COMOX, B.C. – Comox’s newly elected mayor told a full room inside council chambers that the town’s employees are its most important asset.
“Comox is very fortunate to have a group of individuals who want to make our town better,” said Russ Arnott in his inaugural address tonight. “There is no one person who makes us who we are. We work together as a team. My commitment is not only to the residents of Comox but to all of you who work here and I thank you for your commitment to us.”
A two-term town councillor who won the mayor’s seat on municipal election day Oct. 20, Arnott began his address by noting that during his campaign, he spoke about the town’s asset management plan “and how this leads us towards future fiscal sustainability.”
“I spoke about our infrastructure, the equipment, and the various assets that feed into our plan,” he continued.
He went on to say that the people who work for the town help drive its success.
Photo by Troy Landreville/98.9 The Goat/Vista Radio
Arnott said during his campaign, residents told him that the town is headed in the right direction.
“We will continue to be part of the environment we love so much and we will work together to ensure (that) our unique community prospers,” he said.
Arnott also noted that over the next four years, he will be committed to transparency and open communication.
“As council, this is the first step towards a unified group that is tasked towards steering Comox into the future,” he added. “You are the leaders in our community, and we work for the residents and businesses of Comox. Communication and respect between us at this table and those in our community is key.”
Over council’s four-year term, Arnott said the goal is to ensure that the town’s Official Community Plan “keeps us on the path of the future.”
He added, “We will review our transportation plan, we will continue the enhancements and vitalization to our marina park and downtown area, and we will ensure that we stay open for business opportunities that will enhance the charm of Comox.”
During Wednesday’s inaugural meeting of the new Town Council, councillors Alex Bissinger, Ken Grant, Stephanie McGowan, Pat McKenna, Nicole Minions, and Maureen Swift delivered their Oaths of Office.
And in their first order of business, council unanimously approved appointments to boards and external committees for the remainder of 2018/19.
They include:
Comox Valley Regional District – includes CV Water Committee and CV Sports Commission
Appointment – Councillors Grant and Swift; Alternates – Mayor Arnott and Councillors Bissinger, Minions, McGowan and McKenna
Comox Archives & Museum Society (CAMS)
Appointment – Councillor McGowan, Alternate – Councillor Minions
Comox Business in Action (BIA)
Appointment – Mayor Arnott, Alternate – Councillor Grant
Comox Golf Club
Appointment – Director of Finance, Alternate – nil
Comox Nautical Days
Appointment – Councillor McKenna, Alternate – Councillor Bissinger
Comox/Strathcona Regional Solid Waste Management & Regional Hospital District
Appointment – Councillors Bissinger and Minions, Alternates – Councillors Grant and Swift
Comox Valley Community Justice
Appointment – Councillor McKenna, Alternate – Councillor Bissinger
Comox Valley Economic Development Society (CVEDS)
Appointment – Mayor Arnott, Alternate – Councillor Grant
Comox Valley Harbour Authority
Appointment – Parks Superintendent, Alternate – nil
Comox Valley Sewer Commission
Appointment – Mayor Arnott and Councillors Grant and Swift; Councillors Kissinger, Minions, and McKenna
d’Esterre Seniors Centre
Appointment – Councillor McGowan; Alternate – Councillor McKenna
Filberg Heritage Lodge & Park Association (FLHPA)
Appointment – Councillor Swift; Alternate – Councillor Bissinger
Integrated Regional Transportation Select
Appointment – Councillor Bissinger; Alternate – Councillor McGowan
Vancouver Island Regional Library
Appointment – Councillor Minions; Alternate – Councillor McKenna
