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Rod Peters throws hat in the ring for mayor

Local businessman says current council too complacent
13600133_web1_Rod-Peters
Rod Peters

Rod Peters says he has a lot to offer the people of Lake Cowichan if they elect him mayor.

Peters, who has lived in the town for 40 years and was the long-time owner of the Lake Cowichan Home Centre, served two terms on council in the 1980s.

He said he’s recently sold the business and is currently retired, so he has the time needed to commit to his community.

“I figure that if you want to complain, then you have to be ready to stand up for your convictions,” Peters said.

“I have some issues with the current council. I believe they have been there too long and have lost heart. The only business person on council is Lorna Vomacka, who owns the Dollar Store, but the rest haven’t operated a business in their lives, and I’ve run a successful one for 40 years.”

Peters will be running against Lake Cowichan’s long-time incumbent mayor Ross Forrest and councillor Bob Day for the mayor’s seat in the municipal election, which will be held on Oct. 20.

Peters said council invested about $1 million into a new sewage settling pond, and it’s still not completed.

He said it also appears to him that council is not putting all its efforts into its new Centennial Ball Park.

Peters said he also has issues with sections of Highway 18, which was built and maintained by the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, going into Lake Cowichan.

“There are trees in the middle of the road, which create blind spots and cause accidents, dangerous left-hand turns and sidewalks, as well as pedestrian crossing areas,” he said.

“I’d like to have officials from the ministry and ICBC come with me for a drive along the road to show them just how hazardous the road can be. Council has been complacent for too long on this issue.”

Peters said he is well known in Lake Cowichan and has a lot of support in his bid for mayor.

He said that, over the years, he has been a member of a number of clubs and organizations in the community, including the Kinsmen and the Curling Club.

“I was also one of the founders of the Lake Cowichan Ratepayers organization,” Peters said.

“If people were concerned about anything related to the Cowichan Valley Regional District, School District 79 or Lake Cowichan’s council, they’d come to us and we’d pick up the ball for them.”



robert.barron@cowichanvalleycitizen.com

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