Vanderhoof, B.C. – The race for the mayor’s chair in Vanderhoof is down to the final three weeks and incumbent Gerry Thiessen says the district has accomplished a lot the past three years.

“Certainly seeing the swimming pool referendum come to a success was an accomplishment. We also have seen the sturgeon hatchery come along with pro-active decisions made by council that’s kept our community quite vibrant,” says Thiessen.

Vanderhoof Mayor Gerry Thiessen

“We’ve seen tax rates substantially less here than our neighbouring communities and we’ve seen businesses building new buildings and expand here in town.”

He says as mayor the district has also made a point of preparing for whatever comes their way in advance noting they’ve worked “very diligently”to ensure that they’re not taken by surprise by downturns in the economy.

“I’m not a forester, I don’t count trees, but I think it’s my responsibility to really understand what will keep our industry operating. Is it access to timber? Is it taxes? Those kind of things.”

He also boasts of the healthcare Vanderhoof provides its citizens.

“We have a strong hospital – we have probably more family physicians per capita than any place in northern BC.”

And Thiessen says the next four years will probably be the most important years that Vanderhoof goes through.

“The pine beetle harvesting is coming to an end. We’ll be into new growth trees at that point. We also have New Gold mine that is coming on and certainly we’ll have construction of that as well plus probably at least one or two LNG lines and Vanderhoof is likely the access point for that.”

Thiessen is competing with former chamber of commerce president Jessi Wilson for mayor.

“I’m excited just to be able to give my thoughts, ideas and plans for the future. I was born and raised in Vanderhoof and I have 10 grandchildren that live here so this is a very neat time for me to share my vision.”