View Royal will have a chance to choose its mayor for the first time in nine years.

In the past two elections, no one challenged current Mayor Graham Hill and he was took the position by acclimation. Now Hill has two people running against him as he seeks his a fourth term.

Andrew Britton

Andrew Britton, 45, is a two-term councillor who says itB次元官网网址檚 time for someone new to lead the town.

He wants to see View Royal welcoming new smart development, and in particular commercial space for professional offices, to diversify the tax base B次元官网网址� and fast. He says the tax base needs to be diversified to avoid big tax increases to pay for future projects, including sewage treatment, light rail transit and a new fire hall.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 not saying put a bunch of big box stores in View Royal,B次元官网网址� Britton stressed, explaining heB次元官网网址檇 like to attract doctors and lawyers offices and other professionals.

He says it currently takes far too long for development proposals to be approved.

B次元官网网址淭here are proposals I saw in my first term as councillor that are still at council,B次元官网网址� Britton said. B次元官网网址淎t Thetis Cove the developer went bankrupt waiting for us to approve the project.B次元官网网址�

Britton is also concerned about non-essential spending. He didnB次元官网网址檛 support spending $150,000 on the rock mural on Island Highway B次元官网网址� and though he says itB次元官网网址檚 a beautiful piece of public art, he still questions if the money could have been better spent.

B次元官网网址淚 would review all current spending ... and trim the fat,B次元官网网址� Britton said, noting that he suspects there could be savings in maintenance contracts and budgets for sending councillors to conferences.

A full-time paramedic, Britton admits he canB次元官网网址檛 also be a full-time mayor, but said that will give other councillors a chance to be more involved.

B次元官网网址淏eing mayor isnB次元官网网址檛 doing everything yourself, itB次元官网网址檚 recognizing the strengths on your council and delegating,B次元官网网址� he said.

Barb Fetherstonhaugh

Barb Fetherstonhaugh, 48, ran unsuccessfully for a council seat last election and this time is trying for the mayorB次元官网网址檚 spot.

B次元官网网址淢ayor is a different and better position for me and what I want to accomplish,B次元官网网址� said Fetherstonhaugh, owner of PeteB次元官网网址檚 Tent and Awning. B次元官网网址淚 want to create a smoother bureaucratic process with a council that really listens to people.B次元官网网址�

Born and raised in View Royal, Fetherstonhaugh was a founding member of the Shoreline Community School Association and, 30 years later, she continues to serve on its board of directors. SheB次元官网网址檚 served on parents advisory councils and has been on Town and regional committees.

In all her governance roles, sheB次元官网网址檚 made it a priority to listen to people and explain to them whatB次元官网网址檚 going on in the decision making process. This is what she promises to bring to the mayorB次元官网网址檚 office, if elected.

B次元官网网址淧oliticians always say theyB次元官网网址檙e elected to make decisions for people B次元官网网址� I disagree with that,B次元官网网址� Fetherstonhaugh said. B次元官网网址淚 think weB次元官网网址檙e elected to listen to people and represent what they want.B次元官网网址�

She wants to make it easier for residents to have their voices heard, by holding regular town hall meetings where anyone can speak on whatever topic.

She also wants to limit in-camera discussions to only what is legally necessary and recruit a larger cross-section of people to sit on committees.

Fetherstonhaugh is modest about her chance of unseating the current mayor.

B次元官网网址淥f course IB次元官网网址檇 like to win, but even if I get 20 to 30 per cent of the vote, thatB次元官网网址檚 going to send a strong message that people are looking for change,B次元官网网址� she said.

Graham Hill

Graham Hill, 76, has been View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 mayor since 2002 and this is the first year since then that heB次元官网网址檚 had competition for his job.

A retired government worker, Hill is a full-time mayor who serves on several Capital Regional District committees, including as vice-chair of the CRD board of directors, chair of the CRD hospital board, and chair of the CRD planning, transportation and protective services committee. HeB次元官网网址檚 also a founding director of the Island Corridor Foundation.

Over the past nine years, Hill said heB次元官网网址檚 taken View Royal from being an un-cared for Town to an attractive place to live.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 proud of my work so far,B次元官网网址� Hill said. B次元官网网址淭his election is an opportunity to strengthen my position and mandate as I talk with voters and consider the view of fellow candidates.B次元官网网址�

He said the Town is facing uncertain times with the challenges of downloading of responsibility from higher levels of government, as well as upcoming expenses of replacing the town fire hall, while contributing to regional sewage treatment and transportation.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 used to advocating for the TownB次元官网网址檚 interests and securing funding for big projects,B次元官网网址� Hill said, citing the federal funding for the Island Highway Improvement Project and regional gas tax funding for Craigflower bridge, as examples of grants secured under his watch. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e been able to make major improvements without burdening the taxpayer.B次元官网网址�

View RoyalB次元官网网址檚 taxes are the fourth lowest in the region, Hill pointed out.

B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檝e managed our spending responsibly,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淭he Town is in a good position to continue to develop in a sustainable way.B次元官网网址�