Kevin Murdoch says its time for a new kind of governance and leadership
Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen has a challenger in this fall's municipal election. On CFAX this morning two-time councillor Kevin Murdoch declared his intention to run for the mayor's chair.
The 48 year old Murdoch says while he has respect for Jensen, he feels it's time for a new kind governance and leadership to move the community forward:
"We've had a couple incidents at council where we've chosen not to sort of directly address our financial issues. We've had a chance to address some of our longterm infrastructure costs, and frankly the choice has been, under the current leadership, to step away from that discussion, because they're hard discussions. And I think we really need to move that forward."
Murdoch is critical of what he calls "development approval by personal opinion" which he says results in one-off spot zoning with no guidelines and dragged processes that divide the community.
Murdoch says he'll focus is on implementing a community plan to guide infrastructure and housing that respects the needs of the aging population and character of established neighbourhoods.
Murdoch's grandfather - George Murdoch - served as "Reeve" for Oak Bay, similar to a mayor -- 60 years ago.