By Pete McIntyre

Vernon’s new mayor talks about top priority

Oct 20, 2018 | 10:13 PM

VERNON, B.C. — Victor Cumming says he is ready to go.

The 63 year old economist is Vernon’s new mayor elect, after defeating runner up Darrin Taylor by about 1300 votes, 4929 to 3608.

Cumming was second to Akbal Mund in the mayor’s race in 2014.

He says he presented an alternative, just like the other three candidates, and it was up to the community to decide which one they preferred.

“And I think what we’ve seen is a preference,” Cumming told Beach Radio News.

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Cumming says he brings experience to the mayor’s chair.

“I bring a broad understanding of how to work with communities, and a broad understanding of economic development and parks planning  and social infrastructure. These are my skill sets.”

Cumming says his number one priority is clear.

“It’s the housing thing that we’ve really got to start to get clear on, and right from those of the bottom half of one percent, to those that find getting attainable housing a real challenge. That will be our focus.”

Cumming says he won’t have any trouble working with the former mayor Akbal Mund on council.

“It’s going to be easy. Akbal and I have had this conversation over the last five or six weeks. I respect him deeply and he respects me as well.”