Revelstoke Councillor Tim Palmer is challenging incumbent Mayor Gary Sulz in this fall’s municipal election.
Palmer announced his mayoral bid in early September, saying his campaign will focus on transparency, accountability and a long-term vision for the community.
“Revelstoke is an exceptional community, but excellence does not happen by accident,” he said. “It requires strong leadership, sound decision-making, careful stewardship of public resources and a willingness to continually ask how we can do better.”
Palmer said he is running for mayor because he believes the city can more effectively address the community’s needs and priorities.
“For me, having a good clear vision for the community and transparency and accountability,” he describe were his core values. “They’re really the fundamental things that are of concern to me.”
Palmer said council should look beyond its next decision or budget and take a longer-term approach to planning.
“We need to have a clear vision of where Revelstoke is going,” he told VistaNews.
Palmer’s campaign said his platform will centre on transparency, accountability and vision. The campaign said he brings more than 30 years of local government experience, including senior municipal leadership roles and two terms as a Revelstoke city councillor.
Palmer said that, as mayor, he would focus on the priorities of the community rather than his own.
“My strength is going to be really building on the strength of other people,” he said. “It’s what the community wants to do and I think that’s where we’ve fallen short.
Palmer said council needs to do a better job of listening to the community and engaging with standing and select committees, commissions and community organizations.
He said he would draw on his experience and energy in his approach to leadership.
“My approach is practical: establish clear priorities, understand the facts, measure results and be accountable to the community,” Palmer said in a statement. “Residents should be able to understand where their tax dollars are going, what Council is trying to accomplish and whether we are succeeding.”
Palmer said he also wants to empower members of council to be more effective.
General voting day is Oct. 17. The nomination period closes at 4 p.m. on Sept. 11.
