John Ranns is seeking his sixth term as mayor of Metchosin, but he will have to face off against former councillor Ed Cooper.

Cooper, 81, is running on a platform of keeping roads rural and civic fiscal responsibility.

He calls current road upgrades in Metchosin B次元官网网址渟uper highways.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淗appy Valley and Kangaroo roads are being paved shoulder to shoulder,B次元官网网址� said Cooper, a 51 year resident who was councillor from 2002-05. B次元官网网址淩ural roads are windy, narrow roads with the odd pot hole here and there.B次元官网网址�

Another key issue for him is how the District spends its money, particular the recent purchase of roads equipment.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 a terrible thing that is going on with the mayor and council,B次元官网网址� Cooper said. B次元官网网址淚 am mainly running because of how our finances are being spent. We just purchased road equipment that we needed like we need a hole in the head.B次元官网网址�

Metchosin bought a back hoe, a grater and other gear from a long-time roads contractor for about $50,000 after the company shut down.

With the equipment, Metchosin is operating its own public works yard and has hired on staff.

B次元官网网址淲e will not have a public works yard or staff, It will be a tendered out,B次元官网网址� Cooper said. B次元官网网址淥therwise it will bankrupt Metchosin.B次元官网网址�

Cooper said he supports seconary suites. B次元官网网址淲e have to start thinking about the younger generations and by that I mean people in their 20s, 30s, 40s, and 50s.B次元官网网址�

Ranns is running for his sixth (non-consecutive) term as mayor.

B次元官网网址淚 am glad Ed threw his forms in,B次元官网网址� Ranns said. B次元官网网址淣ow I have a platform. Otherwise I would have been sitting here twiddling my thumbs.B次元官网网址�

In his past term on council, Ranns has been involved with getting three new fire trucks, a rejuvenated fire department and building a public works yard.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e done that while maintaining the lowest tax rate in the region,B次元官网网址� said Ranns, 63, a lifelong resident of Metchosin. B次元官网网址淭he community management results speak for themselves.B次元官网网址�

Over his years of service Ranns, helped implement contracting the District staff instead of having several full-time staff.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e spoken up and down the Island to groups interested in running a rural municipality,B次元官网网址� Ranns said. B次元官网网址淭he contrast between us and fast growth municipalities has never been more obvious.B次元官网网址�

While other municipalities are in debt, Ranns said, B次元官网网址淲e are the opposite, we have money in the bank. ItB次元官网网址檚 all about innovations, we are coming into tough economic times that we havenB次元官网网址檛 seen before and we are ready for themB次元官网网址�

Ranns is a Capital Regional District director and chair of the CRD finance committee. B次元官网网址淚 am one of the most experienced regional directors,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚 play a fairly influential role in the region.B次元官网网址�

For the non-binding referendum question, Ranns said he has no position on detached secondary suites.

B次元官网网址淚 think itB次元官网网址檚 being sufficiently flushed out. The residents can make an informed decision. IB次元官网网址檇 go with that either way,B次元官网网址� Ranns said.

Metchosin has been home for Ranns for his entire life. His parents first moved to the community in 1946. Ranns has four children and four grandchildren.

B次元官网网址淎 big part of the mayors job is to ensure the community isnB次元官网网址檛 at each otherB次元官网网址檚 throats,B次元官网网址� Ranns said. B次元官网网址淚f you have strife on council it leads to strife in the community. One of my accomplishments is having everyone get along.B次元官网网址�