There’s no shortage of experience when it comes to the three mayoral candidates in Vernon.

Both incumbent Mayor Victor Cumming and mayoral candidate Wayne Lippert have done two terms as mayor, while Kari Gares has two terms as a councillor under her belt.

So what are they all about?

Incumbent Victor Cumming

Mayor Cumming won a comfortable victory in 2022 against his rival Scott Anderson, and it appeared he did so by keeping his head down and staying out of the limelight.

He’s now running on his track record of the last eight years.

Vernon residents have seen the Active Living Centre come to fruition, and work is getting underway for the $46-million North Okanagan Cultural Centre set to open in early 2028. The much-loved Peanut Pool was revamped at a cost of $4.7 million, along with the new $3.4-million Civic Memorial Park. Polson Park also underwent a major naturalization project at the cost of $9 million.

It came at a cost, with property taxes increasing 43%, on par with Kelowna, since he came into power in 2018.

He’s spoken up for affordable housing, and voted down a contentious development proposal for 3,500-plus new homes on Commonage Road.

While he’s happy to post videos of himself on stage dancing with indie pop group The Beaches, Mayor Cumming has shied away from public spectacle and has been criticized for failing in his role to represent the city.

Kari Gares

Two-term councillor Kari Gares is the antithesis of Mayor Cumming when it comes to communication, and throughout her eight years on council regularly engages with people on social media.

She’s using the slogan “Leadership that listens” in her campaign, and has over the years been a very accessible politician. She regularly answers questions on social media, unlike most politicians.

A professional mortgage broker, Gares is generally seen as pro-development and voted to move forward to the next stage (although not approve) the Commonage Road development.

She said that she supports Vernon’s Climate Action Plan, but stands against “pushing climate policies onto people who are barely covering their basic necessities.”

Wayne Lippert

After a 15-year hiatus, former two-term mayor Wayne Lippert is trying to get back in the game.

Lippert was mayor from 2005 and 2011, and his campaign seems focused in poking holes in the last eight years of mayor and council.

He pledges to open a conversation with the Historic O’Keefe Ranch which is facing a financial crisis, but doesn’t mention that at least three board presidents quit last year.

He also says he’ll revisit the rules at Vernon’s Pleasant Valley Cemetery about leaving non-floral offerings on grave sites, and has pitched developing “red zones” for individuals involved in serious or repeated unlawful behaviour in City-owned parks and facilities.

Municipal election day is Saturday, Oct. 17.