Cumberland once again proved to be a “hopping” place in the Comox Valley, and mayor Vickey Brown is excited for next year while looking back on many accomplishments this year.
The village saw many highlights throughout 2023, but for Brown, the most significant was the installation of the Indigenous welcome poles at Cumberland Peace Park.
“They were initially planned for our affordable housing project, but because the housing project wasn’t funded yet and the poles were ready, we decided they couldn’t wait and they needed to go up,” said Brown.
“That was just a really beautiful ceremony and really nice to see those poles every time I drive into the village.”
Brown adds their application for their 21 affordable housing unit project was also put in this year, council created an affordable housing reserve fund, worked to finish its development services modernization process, worked to finish its tree protection bylaw and reviewed its OCP among many other projects.
“We also had our 125 anniversary, which we called a “Belonging” event. It was a beautiful event which included dumplings for everybody,” said Brown.
“The community gathered to make the dumplings and then on the Day of Belonging they were given out to everyone who was here. I think we made 5,000 dumplings in partnership with LUSH Valley.”
Looking towards the new year, Brown says a main goal is establishing affordable housing to keep people in Cumberland.
“We hope to hear in mid-January on our housing project. For me that’s the single most important thing we can do in this community is get the cost of housing down so we can retain the diversity and create a really inclusive community,” said Brown.
“When you can’t buy a house for under $800,000, you’re just excluding a certain sector of people.”
Brown adds she is hoping to get farther along in the town’s wastewater project this year, as it has been a long process that has run into many challenges as it progressed.
After being elected in 2022, Brown’s first year as mayor has “flown by,” and she is looking forward to continuing to serve the village over the next few years.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity I have here in the village to provide leadership and work with an amazing group of staff and councillors and I’m looking forward to the next three years,” said Brown.
