Record Staff
After nine years on council, Larry Jangula was elected mayor of Courtenay at the Nov. 19 municipal election.
He received 2,543 votes, just 77 more than incumbent Greg Phelps.
“I’m amazed; I’m overwhelmed,” Jangula said. “I want to thank all the people who voted for me and thank the people who did not vote for me for being part of the democratic process.”
The former police officer said his priorities are to be prudent when it comes to spending taxpayer money, to resolve the zoning issue at Maple Pool Campsite, to make it easier for developers to build in the city core, and to increase density by addressing development cost charges and other issues that impede builders. Jangula hopes to encourage greater community involvement by creating volunteer committees that can advise council on issues such as planning, finance and development.
“Those would be non-elected people who would come from the community with their expertise so we could hear from people,” Jangula said. “What we do right now is staff come to us and recommend something, and we make a decision. What I’m looking for is another level where we get the community involved, where the community advises us. I hope this will empower people, and I think we’ll get good ideas from it.”
While campaigning, Jangula heard a variety of issues such as painting the Fifth Street Bridge, a delayed turning light at Sixth and Cliffe, crosswalks and traffic lights.
“They’re (issues) common sense and not going to break the bank,” said Jangula, noting concerns about the location of the proposed Cliffe Avenue site for an emergency homeless shelter.
He looks forward to ending the uncertainty for Maple Pool residents, and for downtown business owners concerned about the shelter.
“I hope council can work together, and I know we can if we put our minds together as a group,” he said. “We’ll have lots of discussion because we have different opinions, but the bottom line is we need to get the people’s work done.”
Jangula, a former member of the L’Arche Comox Valley board of directors, continues to support the group, which supports people with developmental challenges.
Phelps, who had served three years as mayor and sat on council since 2003, was “appalled” by the 28.9-per-cent voter turnout in Courtenay. He suggests Comox Valley Common Sense, which endorsed seven candidates in Courtenay — five of whom were elected, including Jangula — played a big role in this year’s election.
