Two candidates have already announced their intentions to run for Vancouver City Council Position 6 this year. The seat is held by Bill Turlay, who until now had been mum on his re-election plans.
Diana Perez and Sarah Fox said they were seeking Turlay’s seat because he wasn’t running. Turlay begs to differ.
“I am definitely in the race,” Turlay said. “I’m definitely a player.”
Turlay, 83, said he made the decision to seek a third term a while back but wanted to clear up financial backing before filing with the Public Disclosure Commission. He filed on Monday.
He’s planning to run on his track record, primarily his work with the Columbia River Economic Development Council and encouraging small business growth.
Turlay said he is especially excited about the new shipbuilding company making its way toward Vancouver. Vigor announced plans to take over the Christensen Yachts shipyard earlier this month.
The Interstate 5 Bridge is also on his mind. Turlay said he questions where funding would come from to pay for such a large project, especially when considering how quickly the project spent $170 million to plan the failed Columbia River Crossing project.
“I’m still not a light rail fan coming across here because we can haul a lot more people on buses,” he said.
He’s also found fulfillment working as a board member with the Children’s Justice Center. The center works to combat child sexual abuse, violence and exploitation.
“I didn’t know anything about it when I started,” Turlay said, but now, “it has gotten me over, so I’m into the humanities rather than the dollars and cents.”
Some may also have noticed Turlay’s absence from the dais in recent months. He said he was hospitalized four months ago after getting water in his lungs. It’s been a lengthy recovery process, but Turlay said he’s back to his usual self now.
“Now I’m riding a bike,” he said. “I’ve never been a bike rider, but now I am.”
Speaking of bikes, Turlay said he’s going to be watching the proposed Westside Bike Mobility Project closely.
“You’re going to find there’s quite a bit of resistance on the proposed program,” he said.
The council told city staff on Monday to reconsider its proposal.
