By Grant Warkentin
Backed by five former mayors, Laird Ruehlen this morning announced he’s running for city council in the fall civic election.
Standing in front of the skate bowl in Willow Point Park, Ruehlen explained why he’s decided to take another tilt at running for city council.
“Great ideas come when lots of people have the opportunity to give input,” he said, explaining how he wants to see more collaboration between the community and city council.
To that end, he wants to bring back advisory committees, which allow volunteer members to directly provide input to council on issues affecting youth and seniors, as well as parks, recreation, and culture. The city phased out advisory commissions and committees in stages between 2012 and 2023. Ruehlen believes the time has come to bring some of them back.
“That’s something I value and want to see happen in our community,” he said.
He said he chose the skate park as the spot to announce his campaign because it’s a perfect example from his time on council of how collaboration can lead to big accomplishments.
“This skate park came to fruition because of the work that happened, particularly with the youth advisory committee, as well as the parks and rec and culture committee,” he said. “We were able to support it as a council because we partnered with senior levels of government, and we sought the support of service clubs, and together we were able to come up with the product we have.”
The Willow Point skate park officially opened in May 2008 and has been a popular attraction for generations of youth ever since. Ruehlen said he wants to give the city’s youth the opportunity to work together to build similar projects for future generations, and believes reinstating advisory committees and commissions is a good start.
“I think the first thing is to try to find the talent in the community that wants to come out and be the next generation of leaders,” he said. “I got my start on our advisory planning commission. That opportunity for enhancing leadership in our community is important.”
Ruehlen said a diversity of views involved in political decisions helps lead to better outcomes.
“That’s council’s role, to have the wisdom to take all those voices and then make a decision that’s in the best interests of Campbell River,” he said.
At his announcement, Ruehlen was joined by former mayors Jim Lornie, Mary Ashley, Lynn Nash, Roger McDonell, and Andy Adams, who all turned out to back his bid for a council seat.
Ruehlen recently retired from his education career; his last position was as Timberline Secondary School’s principal. Before that, he served as a city councillor for two consecutive terms, from 2002-2008.
So far Ruehlen is the first to formally announce his candidacy for the municipal election this October.
Featured image: Laird Ruehlen in front of the skate park, which he helped get built during his time on council from 2002-2008. Photos by Grant Warkentin
Below: Ruehlen made his announcement at the Willow Point Park skate park supported by former mayors Jim Lornie, Andy Adams, Lynn Nash, Mary Ashley, and Roger McDonell (not shown).
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