Jamie Morrow enters Vernon mayoral race

by Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star posted Sep 24, 2014 at 1:00 AM— updated Sep 24, 2014 at 6:04 AM

Jamie Morrow says he’s ready to roll up his sleeves and get to work to enhance Vernon. Morrow, a 54-year-old recruiter for Okanagan College’s School of Business, has announced he will run for Vernon mayor Nov. 15. “With municipal politics, you can make a difference,” said Morrow, who served a term on Sparwood council in the 1990s and moved back to Vernon in 2000 after growing up here. “I thought about running during the last two terms, and this time with what’s going on, I thought I’d throw my hat in for mayor.” A primary issue for Morrow is economic development and ensuring businesses and residents have the opportunity to reach their full potential. “I believe in our town and I have seen this town grow, and then stagnate and then grow,” he said. “I’d like to see Vernon grow and our youth get jobs and mature people get jobs.” When asked how he would stimulate the economy, Morrow says a plan would develop after meeting with businesses, community stakeholders and city staff. “You just can’t come in and say this is wrong and that is wrong. It’s about collaboration,” he said. Morrow insists that job growth can’t occur in isolation from other issues such as affordable housing or providing sports and cultural amenities, and a balance is required to meet the needs of the public. “I hate seeing the brain drain that leaves our community. I want to see things coming into the community,” he said. “It’s not about running for mayor to be the mayor. It’s about having a community with a healthy environment.” Morrow enters the race for mayor along with Victor Cumming, Mary-Jo O’Keefe and Klaus Tribes. He isn’t concerned about too many names being on the ballot or the vote being split. “I look at it as a positive because if you have a healthy slate for mayor, it shows people are serious about their community,” he said, adding that a range of candidates may also help increase voter turnout. “It shows that people want to be part of moving Vernon into the future.”