The prime issue Courtenay mayoral candidate Erik Eriksson is focusing on for the upcoming municipal election is economic development.
“My vision would be to build partnerships with different areas such as CFB Comox and the airport,” said Eriksson. “There could be some synergy and auxiliary industry attracted to land around the base and the airport if there was an economic development function restored.”
Eriksson is disappointed that Courtenay’s recent official community plan (OCP) doesn’t deal with economic development and other concerns.
“As mayor, I will ask city council to reopen the process of developing a new and more
accessible OCP,” said Eriksson. “There was very little engagement with the community, and although it is 277 pages long, it fails to address economic development, playgrounds and sports fields and adapting to the effects of climate change.”
The municipal election is taking place on Oct. 15.
Eriksson was elected as a city councillor in 1986 and then again in 2014.
Eriksson has spent more than 40 years in Courtenay and is a founding director of the Comox Valley Walk of Achievement.
“I know what it means to work together to get things done,” said Eriksson. “I will use the
benefits of my experience and life-long commitment to the community to do a good job
as mayor.”
He has served on the boards of the Comox Valley Food Bank, the Comox Valley Community Foundation and the Comox Valley Youth Music Centre.
“I have had the opportunity to serve in many ways,” said Eriksson. “I think the time is right to take on the challenge of serving the people of Courtenay as mayor.”
Eriksson is also heavily involved in sports and the music scene in the community.
He is running against Aaron Dowker and incumbent mayor Bob Wells.
MyComoxValleyNow has reached out to all mayoral candidates for their comments.
