Mike Kelly will run for Parksville city council in the Oct. 15 municipal election.
Kelly has been an active Parksville resident for 19 years, according to a news release. He and his wife Jane raised their children, Megan and Jessica, in the community, both graduated from Ballenas Secondary School.
He has volunteered in various capacities over the last 19 years as a softball coach, umpire (both softball and slo-pitch), Canada Day and KidFest. Kelly also served on the board of the Oceanside Generals junior hockey team as a director, vice-president, president and entertainment co-ordinator.
Kelly has seen the rapid development of Parksville over the last four years and wants a seat on council to ensure that this development is both within the Official Community Plan and not overloading Parksville’s infrastructure, police, fire department, ambulance, water, sewer and environment.
“You may recall Mike’s daughter Jessica who sang the national anthem for the Oceanside Generals for seven years,” the release read. “Or perhaps when she sang ‘O Canada’ on Remembrance Day at the Parksville Cenotaph.”
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Kelly, a retired BC Telephone Co. employee, now enjoys his part-time employment at Parksville Home Hardware where he may have mixed the paint for your home or helped you with a plumbing issue.
“Parksville faces numerous challenges over the next four years and beyond,” the release read. “From attracting doctors, to the need for more recreational facilities and the near zero vacancy rate and lack of affordable housing, which all have to balance with the general safety and well-being for all residents.”
— NEWS Staff, submitted