Lisa Helps to run for mayor of Victoria for second term

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WATCH: The mayor of Victoria announced Monday that she will be running for a second term in this year’s fall election.

Victoria Mayor Lisa Helps says she will be running for a second term in this year’s fall election.

The announcement came Monday at a private meeting with the media after hundreds walked through Victoria’s city hall for the city’s annual New Year’s levee.

“[The event is] really about leaving all rank at the door,” said Coun. Chris Coleman. “Everyone comes in to wish each other well and hopefully prosperous and healthy new year.”

With the upcoming election for the city just around the corner, there was even more on the table this year.

“I’ve decided to run for election in 2018, for one more term,” said Lisa Helps. “We’ve got a real opportunity in the next four years to build on the work that we’ve done over the past three and into this year.”

Helps says the creation of affordable rental units and a city housing strategy are among her successes over the last few years.

But there hasn’t been a project more linked to her name than the controversial bicycle network.

Around five kilometres of downtown protected bike lanes are set to be finished by 2019, totalling $14.4-million ? nearly double the original amount set aside.

It is a project Helps hopes won’t be the only decisive factor for voters.

“I really hope that we have more to Victoria than ‘are bike lanes good or bad.’  I hope the election is about the future more generally. I hope it’s about affordability, all of the things we need to live well.”

Victoria mayor Lisa Helps announces she will seek another term as mayor

Victoria mayor Lisa Helps announces she will seek another term as mayor

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