Wayne Price believes Cranbrook is at a crossroads with increases in crime and homelessness, lack of affordable housing and failed leadership at City Hall.

He said he believes Cranbrook needs a new mayor; someone who will take these issues seriously –and take action to solve them.

Price said he has been overwhelmed by the support he has received to make that change, both when he was a Cranbrook city councillor and now as candidate for Mayor in the Oct. 15 election.

“I wanted to take a few moments away from the campaign trail to say how proud I am, very proud, that democracy is alive and well in Cranbrook,” said Price. “I’ve engaged directly with voters, especially with those who may not always agree with me. And I’ve learned some new things. I think that’s what strong leadership means: not being afraid to engage directly with citizens on doorsteps –the folks, after all, who pay the bills in our city.”

Price also believes that best judge of character in leadership comes from those who have been leaders in our community and a number have stepped forward to declare their support for him.

“I have known Wayne Price for 60 years. He is a well-respected former fire chief for our city. He has leadership experience and integrity, and he is a team player,” said John Hudak, current city councillor and former police officer.

“Coming from a family of eight, he didn’t grow up wealthy and understands what it’s like to ‘live within a budget.’ Working with Wayne on council I found him to be always open and honest, considerate of the people he was speaking to, and made decisions never based on serving a special interest group.”

Denise Pallesen, a city councillor between 2008-2014 and former business owner added: “Wayne is a person of high moral ethics, and he puts the needs of the city first and foremost. He is a tireless leader, focussed and hard-working, and he is a well-rounded and forward thinker.”

Ross Priest, Mayor of Cranbrook from 1999-2008, is also endorsing Price.

“I worked with Wayne Price for many years when he was the Fire Commissioner and I was mayor. Wayne is the decisive and inclusive leader we need in the mayor’s chair. I am confident he will lead a transparent council and engage with the public, keeping taxpayers well-informed,” he said.

“I’ve known Wayne Price for 55 years. Wayne and I were fire fighters together at the start of our careers, and he eventually became the fire chief of Cranbrook. In my 31 years I served under six chiefs, and Wayne was by far the most supportive and hard-working chief I ever worked for,” noted Ed Swanson, retired Cranbrook Fire and Emergency Services firefighter.

A former city human resources manager said Price is “one of the most decent persons I’ve met. He listens to people. He cares for people, and he walks the talk. Wayne recognizes that Cranbrook needs a diverse economy, and he has kept in touch with me working to encourage technology companies in Vancouver to consider a move to Cranbrook.”

Keeping with the business community, local home builder Bruce Murdoch pointed out: “Cranbrook housing is short on supply and rental prices are high. Local businesses can’t get enough staff because of housing shortages. We need leadership here to address these important issues. Wayne Price understands this, and he has worked with me to increase secondary suite options in the city. I have since brought more rental units into the market, and that wouldn’t have happened without Wayne’s support. I know Wayne has more proposals that would address this challenge. I support Wayne because he is the solutions-oriented leader we need now.”

Price said that while it is important to continue to hear from voters, the best way to make change happen in the city is to vote.

“It’s a high return on your investment of time. A few minutes out of your day to vote on October 15 could lead to real change in our city for the next four years,” he said.

Price encourages anyone to engage directly with him via wayneprice.ca  or facebook.com/WaynePriceCBK

Lead image: Mayoral candidate Coun. Wayne Price listens to a council delegation speaker earlier this year. e-KNOW file photo

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