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Meet the Candidates: Mike Martin

City of Trail: Martin, Mike – Mayor Candidate

Mike MartinAfter graduating from UBC with a BASc degree (Chemical Engineering) in 1972, I moved to Trail and began a 40-year career with Teck, Trail Operations.  Currently, I chair the Lower Columbia Community Development Team Society and also serve as Chair of the Downtown Opportunities and Action Committee.  In addition to these roles, I am on the Board of Directors of KSCU, and a  member of the Economic Advisory Committee of Columbia Basin Trust.   My other volunteer work in the community included the Rotary Club, Canadian Power Squadron and Rossland Light Opera.

To date, I have not held an elected position in municipal politics, however, given my many volunteer leadership roles, I have extensive experience working within both local, regional and provincial politics.

The number-one challenge is advancing the engine that drives a thriving community – economic development.  Economic development is more than bricks and mortar; it is the social fabric of our community.

Under my leadership, city hall will be transparent in its actions and open for business.

City hall will be inclusive, promoting a broader vision for the entire Lower Columbia community through meaningful dialogue and trusted relationships with our neighbouring communities.

As mayor, I will strongly encourage economic development and job creation through progressive tax policies and reductions in red tape.  Trail needs a pro-growth agenda that will improve the downtown core and the Waneta business area as well as the livability of the entire region as opposed to policies that only see us shrinking.

With a solid agenda, we can secure our cornerstones of healthcare and education.  We can advance the Affordable Housing initiatives for disadvantaged individuals ensuring a safe and secure community for all.

There is a lot of hard work to do and I am prepared to turn over every stone to see how we presently do business and how we can improve it.  I have the experience, the energy and commitment to ensure that in four years time, under my leadership, the residents of our community will say with pride, that we have grown our community, together.

Of the five strategic initiatives of the previous council, I believe the Boundary Extension issue is our first order of business and needs to be brought to a conclusion in a manner that is of benefit to the whole region. Boundary Extension, which would see the City of Trail extend its southern boundary to the international border at Waneta, is an extensive and complex matter involving a number of stakeholders.

It is a long-term plan to improve services, infrastructure and future development in the region taking advantage of the city’s ownership of the Trail Regional Airport and diversifying its tax base.

The tax issue is an important one for the entire region. Boundary expansion, including the Teck agreement, will allow for Beaver Valley to retain its funding source and create the financial resources to advance economic development and wealth generation for the whole region. There will be more jobs, and more people living in the region – that will generate further growth and vitality. I can bring the stakeholders together to resolve the outstanding issues for the benefit of all.