Challenges lead to more opportunity.

ThatB次元官网网址檚 what Rob Martin, ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 new mayor, said about the start of his term.

Martin was formally sworn into the mayorB次元官网网址檚 office on Monday evening at the City of ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 inaugural council meeting. Since then, Martin said he is already feeling engaged, excited and intense.

B次元官网网址淭hereB次元官网网址檚 a lot of needs in our community that need to be addressed in a very short period of time,B次元官网网址� Martin said.

READ MORE: City of Colwood welcomes new mayor and council

One of those needs, according to Martin, is finding ways to bring in infrastructure that community members want to see.

Martin said Colwood residents have shown him they are interested in new developments that include public spaces for community gatherings and safety features like sidewalks and lights in neighbourhoods.

B次元官网网址淯p to this point weB次元官网网址檝e been more of a rural community,B次元官网网址� Martin said. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e in that very difficult period as we transition from being a rural community to being a more vibrant, urban community.B次元官网网址�

Martin said this upcoming week, council members will be meeting for two days to do strategic planning for the next four years. He said councillors will be able to relay what theyB次元官网网址檝e been hearing from residents and come together to form a homogenous plan for the city that they can pass on to staff members.

Martin also said it is a priority for council to be able to find developers who are willing to come to Colwood and build what the community wants.

READ MORE: Highly-anticipated Colwood Corners project sees crane go up

B次元官网网址淲e want to make sure theyB次元官网网址檙e bringing something to our community that adds value,B次元官网网址� Martin said.

Martin also said he thinks it is important to start getting businesses to operate in Colwood and the West Shore. Many residents are spending a long time on their commutes to work and Martin thinks it is unsustainable to continue to spend so much time in traffic when residents could be home or with family.

B次元官网网址淲e have to be realistic in society,B次元官网网址� Martin said. B次元官网网址淲e canB次元官网网址檛 tolerate this long-term.B次元官网网址�

A main point in MartinB次元官网网址檚 mayoral campaign was to protect ColwoodB次元官网网址檚 natural environment.

He said that while it may seem strange to promote development and environment at the same time, the two points actually work together.

B次元官网网址淚f youB次元官网网址檙e focusing on the natural environment around [a community] you increase the value of the development,B次元官网网址� Martin said. B次元官网网址淚f you can live close to natural resources and have the ability to enjoy them, then thatB次元官网网址檚 going to be a community youB次元官网网址檙e going to want to live, stay, work and play in.B次元官网网址�

shalu.mehta@goldstreamgazette.com

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