Oak Bay Mayor Nils Jensen has expressed interest in becoming chairman of the Capital Regional District board of directors.
During the last election, Mayor Jensen criticized Cairine Green for her pledging to be a full-time mayor should she be elected. How is it now that the mayor has decided to devote more time to the mayoralty position and less to his legal profession. Is it because he will not be spending additional time administering the affairs of Oak Bay? Does he believes his time can be best served at the CRD or is it that he believes he has the insight and persuasive manner to almost immediately come to some kind of agreement with the CRD directors to approve a plan that he will come up with for a location of the sewage treatment facility?
Mayor Jensen has been a councillor for 15 years and mayor for the past three. Did he all of a sudden have a stroke of genius that he did not possess over all those years, or, is it that he prefers to devote his time to CRD affairs and leave Oak Bay without appropriate leadership and direction.
As far back as 2010 his leadership skills appear to have been lacking. He had the opportunity to show leadership in the sewage treatment plant location selection process at that time. He was on council when the Upland sewer separation issue raised its head in 2010 but failed to this date to show any apparent leadership on an issue that will cost Oak Bay taxpayers between $10 and $40 million. Should he become chair, can the CRD taxpayer expect the same level of leadership at CRD and Oak Bay?
During the recent election he commented on his accomplishments such as being responsible for raising the dam to improve water storage capacity. Sadly, he did not point to any other achievements over the past 18 years.
The other 23 CRD board members should have a close look at the leadership qualities of the candidates seeking the CRD chair before casting their ballots.
Claire Eraut
Oak Bay