Former NDP candidate seeks a seat on Vernon city council

VERNON – A former NDP candidate is running for a seat on Vernon city council.

Mark Olsen has lived in Vernon for 28 years and wants to give back to his community. The CUPE school support staff president was an NDP candidate in the last provincial election.

Olsen believes one of the big issues in Vernon is the creation of well paying jobs.

“We need to attract and keep families here to sustain our economy,” Olsen said. “In order to provide those jobs we need to find ways to support our existing businesses and also attract new businesses that will create those jobs.”

Working with other jurisdictions, like Coldstream and the regional districts, is a key part of getting there, he says. Another priority for Olsen is balancing the need to maintain infrastructure with minimizing the financial burden on taxpayers.

“Roads and sewer systems must be maintained keeping in mind we must balance what is required with what we can afford,” he says.

To contact the reporter for this story, email Charlotte Helston at chelston@infonews.ca or call 250-309-5230. To contact the editor, email mjones@infonews.ca or call 250-718-2724.