Bennett seeks second term on Prince George council, emphasizing experience and sustainable growth

A lifelong resident who is raising his family in Prince George, Bennett said his passion for the city remains one of the primary reasons he is seeking re-election.

However, he believes the years ahead will present significant challenges that will require experienced leadership at the council table.

“As I look at the next four years, I think it’s going to be incredibly tough,” he said.

Bennett pointed to several issues facing the city, including housing affordability, the toxic drug crisis, geopolitical uncertainty and the financial impact of the upcoming closure of Northwood Pulp.

He said his experience as a city councillor, school trustee, nonprofit leader and MBA graduate has prepared him to help the city navigate those challenges while maintaining services residents rely upon.

“We’re going to need strong advocacy, and we’re going to need to be able to balance a very tight budget while ensuring we’re still running a city that meets the needs of residents,” he said.

One subject Bennett has spoken about frequently during the campaign is the perception of a divided council.

Over the summer, he analyzed council voting records from the current term in response to what he described as a growing narrative surrounding a so-called “6-3 split” on council.

Bennett reviewed more than 2,200 recorded votes and found that votes split along those lines approximately one per cent of the time.

His intention, he said, was not to argue that disagreement on council is negative but rather to provide context around how decisions were made during the term.

“The community elects nine diverse voices,” Bennett said. “If everything was 9-0, what is the point of having a mayor and council?”

He noted that while there were occasions where voting patterns emerged among specific councillors, the vast majority of council business involved varied positions and perspectives.

At the end of the day, Bennett said council functions best when elected officials bring different viewpoints to the table.

“It’s about nine diverse people making the best decisions they can for the residents of Prince George,” he said.

Bennett also defended the lengthy debates that occasionally characterized council meetings over the last four years, arguing they reflected transparency and public accountability rather than dysfunction.

“At times, democracy is messy,” he said. “But it was true transparency working through these issues in real time when the cameras were on.”

With at least three new faces expected on council following the election, Bennett said maintaining open discussion and diverse perspectives will continue to be important.

Looking ahead, Bennett’s campaign is built around three primary priorities.

The first focuses on creating what he calls a safe and vibrant Prince George for all residents.

He believes the city must adapt to changing demographics while continuing to attract and retain families, seniors and workers.

That includes investments in sidewalks, lighting, childcare, age-friendly amenities and accessibility improvements throughout the community.

“How do we ensure that we have the amenities and services in our community to keep and retain residents of all demographics?” he said.

His second priority centres on fiscal sustainability.

While acknowledging public concern over tax increases, Bennett said he is committed to keeping taxes as affordable as possible while being realistic about the costs of maintaining municipal services and infrastructure.

“I’m never going to promise a zero per cent tax increase,” he said. “I’m trying to be realistic with that.”

He noted that Prince George faces financial pressures from the Northwood closure while also dealing with aging infrastructure that requires continued investment.

Bennett argued previous councils did not always invest enough in maintaining city assets, creating challenges that are now becoming more apparent.

As a result, he believes future councils must focus on growing the tax base, attracting new revenue sources and making smart investments in existing infrastructure.

That strategy includes encouraging infill housing and increased density in appropriate areas, topics he acknowledged are not always easy conversations in a city with abundant space for development.

His third priority focuses on ensuring neighbourhoods remain livable and equipped to meet future growth.

That includes housing development, infrastructure expansion and continuing to build the facilities and services required by a growing city.

“This is looking at housing,” Bennett said. “This is looking at how we ensure that we’re continuing to build the core infrastructure that we need to grow and meet the demands of our community.”

As Prince George prepares to elect a new council on Oct. 17, Bennett is positioning himself as an experienced candidate focused on balancing difficult financial realities with the long-term needs of residents.

His message to voters is that the challenges facing the city are significant, but with thoughtful planning and experienced leadership, Prince George can continue to grow while maintaining the services and quality of life residents expect.

Election day in Prince George is Saturday, Oct. 17.

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Email: Adam.Berls@pattisonmedia.com

by Adam Berls

Bennett seeks second term on Prince George council, emphasizing experience and sustainable growth

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