As of publishing date, councillor Doug O'Brien and incumbent mayor Ed Maybe are the only two candidates for Mayor of Parksville. (submitted photo/Doug O'Brien)

By Jordan Davidson

mayoral candidate

Parksville councillor running for Mayor, wants ‘the big chair’

Sep 11, 2022 | 9:07 AM

PARKSVILLE — An incumbent City Councilor has thrown his hat into the race for mayor.

Doug O’Brien was first elected to council in 2018, and said he wanted to get some experience and the “lay of the land” before taking a run at the top job.

“I participated before in the OCP (official community plan) processes and Citizens Advisory Committees. I wanted to get four years under my belt first before I apply for the big chair, the mayors’ position. I feel now after completing four years I absolutely love this job.”

He said his priorities if he becomes Mayor include focusing on the big influx of development proposals for the area, as well as how the climate is affecting the community.

“We have major extreme climate events that have affected all of us…this has led me to realize that we have to start planning for the resilience of our potable water supply for the City of Parksville.”

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A combination of an influx of people combined with more frequent extreme weather events is motivating O’Brien to ensure the city’s water supply and infrastructure holds strong.

He said he wants to start the consultation process to formulate a plan to allow of additional potable water storage facilities in the Highland areas.

O’Brien’s ambitions for a term as Mayor also extend to healthcare, as he said it’s no secret people are worried about not being able to find a doctor.

He told NanaimoNewsNOW he has a plan that’s been in the works for the past few months.

“We’re trying to see how we as a municipality can play a part in maybe helping alleviate the doctor shortage. The problem becomes larger than providing new doctors, there also has to be plans in place to retain the existing doctors we have.”

Cooperation between all levels of government as well as local health authorities and the doctors themselves will be key in implementing this plan for Oceanside, he said.

During his time on Council, projects like the Community Park to Rathtrevor Trail, the Urban Forest Strategy, and the opening of the Performing Arts Outdoor Stage in August are some of the things he’s most proud of working on.

He said it’s important they look at each new project proposal and development through a “climate lens”.

“Don’t want to be the drive-through location on the map. Parksville needs to be the destination, and by increasing our tree canopies and making the climate change initiatives a reality I think that’s going to make Parksville more desirable.”

O’Brien can be reached at 250-954-2327, or by email at dougobwon@gmail.com.

He is the lone challenger to incumbent Mayor Ed Mayne on the Oct. 15 ballot.

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