Mike Gray

Mayor of the Village of Radium Hot Springs

Radium is growing and evolving. We have an opportunity to build on that momentum while preserving what makes our community special: strong neighbourhoods, thriving local businesses, dependable services, and a spirit of connection.

I’m seeking re-election to help turn our community’s vision into action. Guided by the new Official Community Plan and shaped by years of resident input, I’m committed to helping Radium move confidently into its next chapter.

Why I’m Running

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Growing without losing what makes Radium special

Radium has always had two identities that depend on each other. We are a tourism community that welcomes people from around the world, and we are a small town where people live, work, volunteer, retire, run businesses and know their neighbours.

I don’t think we have to choose between those two things.

“Radium can remain both a great place to visit and a real community where people know their neighbours.”

— Mike Gray

That means balancing the things that make Radium work: housing, tourism and neighbourhoods; business, growth and community; infrastructure, affordability and long-term planning.

It means making thoughtful choices about where different kinds of housing and visitor accommodation fit, attracting businesses that are invested in the community, looking after what we’ve built, and planning ahead instead of waiting for problems to become emergencies.

The challenge is to manage growth thoughtfully so that the things making Radium successful don’t cost us the things that make Radium special.

What We’ve Done Together

Planning Radium’s Future

A new Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw

We spent years asking residents what they value about Radium, what concerns them, and what kind of community they want to become. That work produced a new Official Community Plan and Zoning Bylaw that give us a clear direction for housing, neighbourhoods, tourism, business and growth

Making Room for People to Stay

Turning housing need into action

Housing is one of the biggest challenges facing communities like ours. We’ve already completed a three-unit rental project, and the larger Ridge Road project is a work in progress. It will also add new park space, and we’re listening carefully to neighbourhood concerns about parking, appearance and density as the design evolves.

Reliable Water for the Future

Protecting one of Radium’s greatest everyday assets

Radium is known for great water, and we want to keep it that way. The new settling pond will give us two parallel ponds, so one can be taken offline for maintenance while the other stays in service, and longer settling time will make treatment more efficient and cost-effective. Along with the second intake, these upgrades should help us spend more time at our normal Level 1 water restrictions and less time at higher stages.

Ready When Things Go Wrong

Prepared locally. Connected regionally.

We’ve revitalized Radium’s emergency program and strengthened our role within the East Kootenay Emergency Management Program (EKEMP), so our local response is backed by a strong regional system. We’ve also continued to improve our FireSmart work and added a dedicated wildfire response trailer and equipment to help protect critical assets and support response when wildfire risk is high.

Just as importantly, we’ve made sure Council understands how the local and regional systems fit together, and that Tourism Radium and Travel Columbia Valley are part of the formal emergency communications structure so visitors are included in the plan too.

Looking After What We Inherited

Good stewardship isn’t just about today

Roads, water systems, equipment and reserves were built and saved for by people before us. Our responsibility is to maintain them, improve them when necessary, and leave the next generation the same strong foundation. Radium has continued investing in infrastructure while keeping taxes and charges among the lowest in the region.

Major investment in infrastructure + Taxes and charges among the lowest in the region

The Radium We Enjoy Every Day

The places and services that make a community feel like one

Not every accomplishment needs a ribbon cutting. Parks, trails, the library, accessibility improvements, snow clearing, public art, Meet, Greet & Eat, community events and welcoming public spaces all shape what it feels like to live in Radium. We’ve kept investing in the everyday things that help people connect, get around, and enjoy the community.

Community Work

Leading the Community

I don’t believe the Mayor’s job is to walk into every conversation already knowing the answer.

Listen

Hear from residents

Collaborate

Work across perspectives

THINK

Think it
through

decide

Make informed choices

deliver

Follow
through

Reflect

Learn and improve

I start by listening and looking for the places where we already agree. Where we don’t, I want to understand the strongest arguments, question my own assumptions, and think carefully about what makes the most sense for the whole community.

Then we have to decide, do the work, and be willing to learn from the result.

A municipality of 1,300 people gets more done when other people want to work with it.

More About Mike

One of my favourite things about you, Mike, is your love of the Library! I was the Area G Rep on the Library Board back in the days before you were mayor and on through until 2025. You were the designated Councillor in charge of liaison with the Library Board. The Library had recently moved into its beautiful new location. Lots of changes were happening – paid staffing, a bigger space for the collection of books and resources to grow into, much more comprehensive community programming. From its humble beginnings, the Radium Public Library had become the heart of the Village. You showed up at every meeting, supporting its development each step of the way. When you became Mayor, you handed off your library liaison role, but your interest in the Library stayed strong. You showed up when you could. You came to volunteer appreciation events and Friends of the Library activities, and made sure to convey your thanks to the volunteers. You helped us defend our budget requests at municipal and regional levels. You stuck with us through the pandemic years, making sure we had the means to support our safety plans. You demonstrated a genuine love and respect for the Radium Public Library – the beating heart of an informed and literate citizenry.

Anne Jardine

Columbia Valley Resident, Former Radium Hot Springs Public Library board member

Having worked with, listened to, and learned from Mayor Gray over the last four years, I highly respect his thoughtful consideration of the issues and his love of Radium. He is a Mayor that I trust. Mike is a thoughtful and caring Mayor who gives careful consideration to the issues that he faces in his roles in Radium and in the Regional District. I have been honoured to work with Mayor Gray on the RDEK Board of Directors over the last four years. His is a voice I listen to and respect.

Steve Fairbairn

Mayor of Elkford

Leading the Community

I don’t believe the Mayor’s job is to walk into every conversation already knowing the answer.

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Let's talk about the future of our region.

Have an idea for the Columbia Valley? I’d love to hear it

Connect with Mike

Mike Gray

Growing without losing what makes Radium special

What We’ve Done Together

Planning Radium’s Future

Making Room for People to Stay

Reliable Water for the Future

Ready When Things Go Wrong

Looking After What We Inherited

The Radium We Enjoy Every Day

Leading the Community

Listen

Collaborate

THINK

decide

deliver

Reflect

Leading the Community

Let's talk about the future of our region.

Mike Gray

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