Victor Cumming – Vernon, BC Mayoral Candidate
About Victor Cumming
I did my early education in Penticton before leaving for university and work experience. My career has been as a Community Economic Development Consultant in Canada and Internationally for over three decades, which has included consulting as a facilitator to bring together diverse groups toward a common objective.
My wife, Mary-Ann, and I have lived and raised our children in Vernon for the last 30 years and are now blessed with seven grandchildren who live locally. Like so many people who live here, we have taken great pleasure in the lakes, mountains, and outdoor lifestyle with which our community is blessed. We enjoy skiing, hiking, camping, boating, and other local activities and sports.
Community involvement is something that my minister father instilled in me as an essential part of a full, rewarding life. That has included service on a number of boards, including the Okanagan Basin Water Board, Okanagan Landing & District Community Association, Ribbons of Green Trails Society, North Okanagan Parks and Natural Areas Trust, and church committees.
It has been my honour to serve as Mayor of Vernon since elected in 2018, and I hope to continue that important work of leading and representing our community.
Why I'm running for Mayor
I was elected in 2018, a year before the pandemic disrupted the world and shifted our focus from important issues in our community. Our change in efforts was necessary, but we have important work left to do on key issues, like infrastructure planning and improvement, recreation, parks, and culture facilities for the future, climate change preparation, and securing our water supply and economic growth.
I led Council through those turbulent, difficult times and worked with our community neighbours on all of our shared issues, like parks, trails, the cultural centre, and water. Those hard-earned experiences and relationships will stand me and the community in good stead if I am chosen to lead Council for another four years.
My consulting work, assisting so many other communities in economic development and comprehensive planning, helped prepare me for the role of Mayor. I hope to continue to use those skills and experience in working with Council toward achieving our shared vision for Vernon.
I have strongly advocated for Vernon with our two senior levels of government. The ability to represent Vernon and work with people from all parties is an essential skill to secure funding for the many projects that are an important part of our community’s future success. As an example, one need only look at how the provincial government names Vernon as a model for funding for social housing to see that importance and the success Vernon has had.
Whoever is Mayor must demonstrate these important skills for our community, and I am offering to continue leading Vernon in those efforts.
Your Vote
Victor is a committed citizen, who brings a wealth of life experience, skills and education along with a unique outlook to the position of Mayor. Victor possesses all the qualities to be Vernon’s next Mayor, which include being a facilitator, organizer, listener, team player, visionary, and communicator.
Victor has the personality to be our next Mayor, as he is calm, even, has a great attention for detail yet is able to keep the big picture in focus, while utilizing his facilitating expertise to work with others in a team environment. This ability will serve Vernon well, as he is able to identify the job, bring the players to the table and get the job done with intelligence, humour and cooperation. He possesses the vibrancy, and stamina to retain stakeholders at the table as well the ability to motivate them to move toward the goal at hand. Victor is a proven leader whose inclusive and encompassing abilities are an asset to Vernon, ensuring the City takes advantage of all opportunities to grow, change and prosper.
The role of Mayor and Council are to address opportunities and to make the best decisions possible. Victor Cumming absolutely has the track record to do that. Victor possesses integrity and diligence, and will always choose a course of action that is fair and places the needs of the citizens of Vernon first.