Vernon will soon have a new mayor.
The north Okanagan city’s current leader, Akbal Mund, decided to run for a city council seat rather than seek re-election to the mayor’s chair.
It’s a four-way race to replace Mund, with regional economist Victor Cumming, painter Art Gourley, political enthusiast Erik Olesen and licensed counsellor Darrin Taylor all vying to take on the role.
Here is a more in-depth look at each of the candidates (in alphabetical order):
Victor Cumming
Victor Cumming is making another bid for the mayor’s seat. Cumming lost to Akbal Mund in the last civic election by 625 votes.
Cumming is a regional economist who owns West Coast CED Consulting Ltd. and his lived in Vernon since the early 1990s.
“I think there is a significant difference between myself and other candidates and I think it comes from my 35 years of experience. I’ve done a lot of work with governments and I do know processes and I come from a strong background of both economic and community participation,” he said.
Art Gourley
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Professional painter Art Gourley has been a frequent visitor to city hall.
Now in his 70s, the senior is still painting professionally. His work experience has been diverse, including stints working at sawmills, as a professional driver, and painting for BC Ferries.
Erik Olesen
Erik Olesen is passionate about politics.
The 27-year-old said he’s been involved in politics for over a decade, including an unsuccessful bid to become the MLA in the Kelowna-Lake Country riding in 2017.
In that race, Olesen, the NDP candidate, lost out to Liberal Norm Letnick.
Darrin Taylor
Long-time Vernon resident Darrin Taylor has been in the news recently for his work heading up the city’s Activate Safety Task Force.
The city set up the task force to make recommendations on the issues of “homelessness, criminal behavior, addictions, public safety and the impact on the business community.”
Taylor, a father of two, is a licensed counsellor who owns Axis Intervention Services.
“I’ve been active with the chamber of commerce recently, been on the board of directors there. I’m also active with my professional organization’s chairing committees and serving on boards,” Taylor said.
The civic election will be held on Oct. 20. More information about voting in Vernon can be found here.
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