Jon Lefebure has announced that he is seeking a fourth term as mayor of North Cowichan.
"I'm very excited about this decision. If I'm successful, it would make me the longest serving mayor in North Cowichan history," he said.
He waited until now to announce his candidacy because "I had promised my family that we would have a chance to discuss it over the summer but this was the right time to make the announcement."
There's been lots going on in the municipality, with local area plans and revitalization underway in several areas.
"These plans will drive new, low-impact development to create healthy sustainable communities with urban cores that are more dense, more efficiently serviced, and pedestrian and bike friendly," he said, adding that he's been happy to have played a role in helping create vital community assets.
He also pointed to the award-winning climate action and energy plan, as a successful push that moved forward under his leadership.
In this next four-year term, Lefebure said he's hoping the province can find the funding to complete Cowichan Place with construction of a new secondary school and trade school beside Vancouver Island University.
"It would make my day and be great for the community," he said.
And there's more on that front, he said.
"For businesses that can move anywhere, they want to be able to attract the best employees. We're going to be the most attractive place to settle because we've got the climate, the beautiful physical surroundings, the trails, the recreation facilities. We're working on creating that entire package so that we are really the prime destination in Canada."
But North Cowichan needs more.
"We recognize that we have empty storefronts in Chemainus. It's true in small towns across the province. What we want to do in our revitalization plan and revitalization tax bylaw is really support businesses in our downtown by being a more inviting, attractive place for visitors and for investors. Then we're going to move on to Crofton, which, I think is on the start of its journey to becoming a truly sustainable community. If we can encourage the density in Crofton that will support services such as a doctor or a bank, that's our long-term goal.