Mayor Nicole Minions sought a third term in Town of Comox public office. Voters first elected her in 2018 to a council seat. She ran unopposed for mayor in 2022, and again this year. She won both mayoralty elections by acclamation. Having no opponent in a municipal election can imply different things, such as, she doing a great job and no one thinks they could do it better. Or, it might mean that nobody wants the job. We think it’s more the former than the latter. Minions is an excellent spokesperson for Comox and digitally savvy. She has taken a balanced approach to leading her polarized council. She has voted consistently with the minority, but when speaking as the mayor, she uses neutral language and is careful to express the council’s official position on issues.
For Council: Six candidates recommended
The world’s most respected executives all share one secret for success: Surround yourself with highly-skilled smart people. The best CEOs know that this always delivers a better outcome than hiring “Yes-men/women” or anyone beholden to special interests.
Town of Comox voters should think like those CEOs. Residents who cast a ballot in this municipal election will be hiring people to run their community. The campaign has been the interview process. The ballot box is the performance review.
Decafnation believes Comox has six council candidates that would impress any good CEO. Voters should hire them on Oct. 17.
This election is important because Comox is at a crossroads. One path leads to tall buildings and inappropriately designed buildings scattered throughout neighborhoods, where they are out of scale and diminish the community’s charm. It leads to developer-driven planning that does not always value the town’s existing character and often considers community engagement an annoyance.
The better path is to hire councillors who are forward-thinking and envision a community where residents feel engaged, involved and heard, and where smart growth can house newcomers attracted to the town’s charm and character, with confidence that it will be sustained.
The formation of many new neighborhood associations across town indicate the community wants to move past the “Old Boys Club” way of doing things and move on to experienced and intelligent people who believe in transparency, community engagement and timely communications.
For that reason, Decafnation recommends the following six candidates: two incumbents and four first-time council challengers.
FOR COUNCIL: Jonathan Kerr, incumbent
Jonathan Kerr was the top vote-getter in the 2022 election. In his first term, Kerr was a strong advocate for listening to community voices and engaging residents in decision-making. Along with Jen Meilleur, he’s the most transparent about his voting record, his positions on issues, his priorities and in his communications with the citizenry. He continues to deliver on his recruitment of physicians to the Comox Valley. He takes an independent and collaborative approach to growth and development issues based on listening to his constituents.
FOR COUNCIL: Jenn Meilleur, incumbent
Jenn Meilleur was a strong voice for parks and trails and new amenities for the town’s younger residents. She advocated for more thoughtful growth that retains neighborhoods’s character and walkability. She believes the town can achieve its housing and affordability goals within its existing growth areas while giving the community better ways to participate early and meaningfully in decisions about how the town will grow. She’s committed to rebuilding trust among residents, the council and the town.
FOR COUNCIL: Lisa Bourgeois
Lisa Bourgeois is a Certified Change Practitioner who studied at the Kellogg School of Management. She’s worked with large organizations and startups and on the City of Courtenay’s executive administration team. She will use this experience to move the town’s communications earlier in projects so that community engagement actually matters and people feel heard. She believes in long-term planning that envisions the town evolving with growth without losing its core character.
FOR COUNCIL: Vivian Chislett
Vivian Chislett has managed her husband’s architectural firm for two decades, often serving as a lead project manager and navigating the municipal approval process. She would bring hands-on experience from both the development side and from working with neighborhoods to come together for more meaningful public participation. She would like more housing types as the town grows and developments that support the town’s natural surroundings and quality of life.
FOR COUNCIL: Neil Ladell
Neil Ladell, a regional manager for Fisheries and Oceans Canada, knows how to work through multiple levels of government and regulatory complexities. He holds a PhD degree in Resource and Environmental Management and another degree in Development studies. His education and experience will benefit the town as its deals with senior government on housing, grants and transportation issues. He’s focused on planning for affordable and innovative housing that conserves the town’s character.
FOR COUNCIL: Jessica Wegg
Jessica Wegg is a lawyer and a clinical psychologist who is active in the Parents Advisory Committee of her children’s school. She will be an advocate for safe and easily accessible places for the town’s youth to play and socialize. She will be another leader in creating more town transparency, better communication with residents about the important decisions and engaging the community early in the process to ensure their concerns are considered when it still matters. She’s clear about working for all of the town’s residents.
