Laurence (Laurie) Thomson is a retired resource sector employee who hopes his next steps will take him to North Cowichan council.
"I have had the good fortune to work for one of the world's top resource firms and what is as true now as it was then, we seldom made the news [because] we did it right," he said.
It can be done while paying close attention to the bottom line, too, he said, pointing out he's against "excessive taxation and wasteful spending".
Respect for cultural heritage and the environment are important, he said.
He's used to working with experts and would be comfortable with North Cowichan staff. "If a project has merit, show me. If it's a bad idea and/or too expensive, it deserves to be cut."
Thomson said he wants to see North Cowichan appoint an outside auditor to completely review the current budget and projects.
He's also interested in "focused, orderly execution of the community plan" and "no more ad hoc, piecemeal pet projects."
He also wants to reschedule council meetings to evening hours.
Finally, Thomson will be pushing "for a simple, modest office in central Duncan where council members can be more conveniently available and approachable to citizens of North Cowichan."