Herb Haldane, 50, is going to take a crack at running for the mayor’s chair on November 15.
On June 23, Mayor Wendal Milne announced his plans not to run in the next municipal election and Haldane said, “With Wendal Milne gone, there’s no clear runner. I’m going to take a chance and see how I fare.”
Haldane sat on the last two District of Sooke councils and has been a part of many of the decisions made under Mayors Janet Evans and Wendal Milne, including large projects such as the Prestige Hotel, the public boat launch, and the new connector road.
He said the big issue for him is the whole tax structure and the misunderstandings around it.
“We got lucky this year that’s because we found a bunch of money, it looks good … but the five-year plan raises it a pile and I want to nip it in the bud,” said Haldane. He said he has talked to businesses that have to rent out one-half their space because of the commercial taxes.
When asked if he was running for the sake of businesses in Sooke he said he is doing it in the name of residents, new families and retirees.
“How do taxes go up so much? I want a reality check to it,” stated Haldane.
He said he has been happy on council for the most part, even in the cheap seats. Now, he wants to make some forward movement.
“If they find I’m not the right guy, they can vote me out in four years,” he said.
Haldane is self employed at Haldane Homes.