Fernie Councillor Harshan Ramadass is launching his campaign for mayor, saying the city needs to spend the next four years delivering infrastructure, improving affordability and completing projects.
Ramadass, who was elected to council in 2022, said his experience has given him a strong understanding of the challenges facing the city.
“The challenge ahead of us is pretty massive,” he said. “I don’t want this next four years to be another term of more reports and deferred actions. We just have to be really open-eyed about our challenges and execute.”
His campaign is centred on five priorities: setting a clearer agenda for council, delivering infrastructure, making Fernie more livable and affordable, strengthening relationships with community organizations and making the city more welcoming to business and investment.
Ramadass said one of his first priorities as mayor would be narrowing council’s focus.
“There’s just too many things to do, too few resources,” he said. “When everything is a priority, nothing is.”
He said he would establish clear goals early in the term, similar to a 60- or 90-day plan in the private sector, and set out what council should accomplish in its first few months.
Infrastructure is also a major part of his platform, including wastewater upgrades and longer-term plans for roads, facilities and pavement. His campaign said those projects would require a mix of grants, debt and, where necessary, discussions about taxes, utility fees and reserves.
Housing and affordability are another focus. Ramadass said the city should work with developers and the province to encourage more missing-middle housing, purpose-built rentals and targeted density, particularly for younger residents and families.
He also wants Fernie to become easier to do business in.
“For too long, Fernie has been a little difficult and slow place to do business,” Ramadass said. “The next four years we need to ensure that we’re open for business.”
At the same time, he said development should not come at the expense of Fernie’s character.
“The community is okay with development, but it wants thoughtful development,” he said. “We need to be the steward in the next four years, ensuring that development happens in the right places and not at the cost of our heritage.”
Ramadass also wants stronger relationships between the city and community organizations, including the Arts Council, Historical Society, Senior Centre and Chamber of Commerce. His platform calls for bringing the Fernie Trails Alliance on as an official city partner organization by 2027.
Ramadass said he feels great about running for mayor after what he described as an honour serving the community as a councillor during the current term.
Ramadass will hold his campaign launch Sept. 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Fernie Legion.
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