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VIDEO: Murdoch to run for mayor

Two-term councillor Kevin Murdoch announces his intent to run for mayor’s chair in fall election
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Two-term councillor Kevin Murdoch announced today that he will seek the Oak Bay mayor’s chair in this fall’s municipal election. With his grandfather having been a former Reeve of Oak Bay, and Murdoch having children growing up in the community, he has a multi-generational perspective on the job.

“My children are the fourth generation of my family to have the chance to live in Oak Bay. With my family’s history, and the daily reminder that I need to hand over a healthy community for my kids, I never forget the generational impact of council decisions. It’s an honour to build on my grandfather’s heritage, helping both Oak Bay and the region develop,” Murdoch said.

Video: Mudoch to run for mayor - Part I

His focus is on ensuring the municipality is managed well, is fiscally viable for the future, and that a community plan is implemented. He promises a leadership model focused on good governance, moving the community forward, and addressing difficult issues head-on.

Professionally, Murdoch’s background is in IT, having worked on the management side for the last 20 years.

Working with his staff and clients, he has managed a range of projects from small $20,000 projects to $7 million projects with lots of stakeholders and stake.

“The leadership in that role is often making sure that from the beginning everyone is on the same page – we know the budget, we know the timeline we have to hit,” Murdoch said. “Once we all agree to what we have to do, we just march down the path and get it done. I think that ability to set the vision and execute to completion is professionally what applies most directly to the role as mayor.”

Murdoch has served on a variety of local, Capital Regional District and regional committees and boards. He was chair of the library board “for as long as he was allowed,” liaison for Oak Bay Heritage, and chaired the land use working group. He said his experience as councillor and chair of many committees, in particular his current role as board chair for Greater Victoria Labour Relations Association negotiating $200 million a year in contracts on behalf of 14 employers, has prepared him for the complex role of mayor. He also has a long history of volunteer experience.

Video: Mudoch to run for mayor - Part II

“When my grandfather was elected Reeve, he agreed to run at the request of local community leaders,” said Murdoch. “I find myself in the same situation today, 60 years later, with elders, leaders, and residents of our community asking me to stand for mayor.”

Election day is set for Oct. 20 with the nomination period running from Sept. 4 to 14.

This election comes with new rules thanks to a successful motion Murdoch brought forward last fall at the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) conference to create provincial legislation to ban corporate and union donations for municipal political campaigns. The legislation also puts a cap of $1,200 on individual donations, while allowing self-funded campaigns to double that to $2,400.


 
keri.coles@oakbaynews.com

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