Mayor-elect Harshan Ramadass is ready to take on new role

The City of Fernie has a new mayor-elect, and Harshan Ramadass says his focus will be on listening to the community’s concerns.

He previously served as a councillor for the City, and on Oct. 17 he won the mayoral race with 54.5 per cent of the votes. Kyle Hamilton received 42.7 per cent.

Speaking with Pattison Media, Ramadass says he is looking forward to serving the community of Fernie.

“It’s a privilege to be serving the city of Fernie, the citizens here,” says Harshan Ramadass.

“The campaign and the election period were pretty intense. My colleague, Kyle Hamilton, he ran an excellent campaign. They were professional. They did really well.

“And I and our supporters have had to dig deep and do well. I’m glad it is done… I’m looking forward to taking the oath and start working again.”

The new council will include incumbent councillors Tracey Audia Kelly and Ted Shoesmith, alongside Scott Tibballs, Phil Iddon, Kathleen Dolan and Josh Gawryluk.

Ramadass says the new council will need time to complete orientation and ensure members have the tools and knowledge needed for effective governance, as they transition from campaigning to governing.

“We will soon be into budget season come January and hoping to have a strategic plan built by around spring so that we start focusing on the priorities that the community gave to us,” he added.

“The mandate from the community was for us to go and fix critical infrastructure issues, and that will be front and center for this council.”

Ramadass says the new council is committed to listening to residents and addressing the concerns raised by the community of Fernie.

“What they are looking for from the incoming council is working hard to fix infrastructure issues, be collaborative, and also there is a sense of divisiveness in the community,” he said.

“They are seeking for myself as the mayor and the council to bridge those divisions and work towards improving the livability for citizens in the next four years.”

The new mayor and council will be sworn in at the inaugural City of Fernie Council Meeting on Nov. 3.

To see the results of the Municipal Local Election, click here.