Fernie city councillor Kyle Hamilton is throwing his hat in the ring, following Mayor Nic Milligan’s decision not to run for re-election.
Hamilton is serving his second term as a councillor in Fernie.
He said he’s learned a lot over that time.
“The most valuable lesson I’ve learned over the last two terms as a councillor is the value of the second and third-order ramifications of every decision,” he said.
“We really need to start taking a longer view of the impacts and consequences of each decision and where they potentially leave us in the next 10, 20 and even 30 years.”
He said the work done over those terms has prepared him for the top job.
“I want to be Fernie’s next mayor to really continue the work that’s been happening over the last couple terms and towards recognizing the infrastructure gap that we have in our community,” he added.
“I feel that my experience having been over all of these files for the last two terms really helps position me as the go to for this next term to continue that work.”
Hamilton said he has a good understanding of the issues facing the city.
“The wastewater issue has certainly come to light in the last five weeks with the atmospheric river we had here and the pipes over capacity,” he said.
“Fernie needs a mayor who understands our current struggles with failing infrastructure and has the experience to fight for updated funding models from higher governments, to help reduce the burden of increasing property taxes.”
Hamilton said Mayor Milligan will be missed and thanked him for the work he’s done this past term.
“I was a little bit disappointed to hear that Mayor Milligan was not seeking re-election,” he said.
“I think he has done a fantastic job guiding the community as mayor over the past four years, navigating a number of these large issues and doing a really good job of balancing both the needs of our community now and into the future.”
We are still a ways out from the 2026 municipal election.
The nomination period begins on Sept. 1 followed by the campaign period starting on Sept. 19 across the province.
General voting day is set for Oct. 17.
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