Tales of former mayor Wayne Wright’s return to the political arena are greatly exaggerated.
Wright told the Record he’s fielded a number of calls from locals asking him to run for mayor, and while he appreciates the fact that some people might think he could make a difference to the city, he won’t be running in the Oct. 20 civic election. The Record has also been contacted by residents who’ve heard rumours Wright is running for mayor.
“It’s pretty easy for people to see me and say, ‘Come on back, we want you.’ It is very gratifying. It makes me feel good, but I am not prepared to do that,” Wright said. “That would be silly, but it’s still nice to hear.”
Wright said he doesn’t think that running for mayor is the right thing to do at this time – for himself or the city.
“I have had my go. I want the city to keep going forward,” he said. “I think a good mix on council will take care of the situations that are coming up now.”
With one term under his belt as mayor, Wright believes Mayor Jonathan Cote is poised to be a leader at Metro Vancouver, which is facing the retirements of a number of mayors in the region, and at city council, which will definitely see some change in the next election because at least two incumbents aren’t seeking re-election.
With all seven members of city council currently endorsed by the New Westminster and District Labour Council, Wright said he thinks it would be good for the city if citizens candidates from a variety of political backgrounds. Along with some independent candidates, the New West Progressives are running a slate of candidates, with one of its goals being to bring different perspectives to city council.
“I wouldn’t be surprised if they get a couple,” Wright said about the chances of non-labour endorsed candidates being elected. “I think it’s healthy. It’s probably the time.”
Wright, who served four terms as mayor before losing to Cote in 2014, admits that he still misses the job at times.
“Certainly. In my mind I had one more term left. That is why it’s not my time now,” he said. “I had the time. I had the energy. I had the ideas for things I wanted to do.”
