This person is kind of phenomenal. Have a talk. ♥️
Cielle Cowles
Columbia Valley Resident
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Leading the Community
I don’t believe the Mayor’s job is to walk into every conversation already knowing the answer.
1
Listen
Hear from residents
2
Collaborate
Work across perspectives
3
THINK
Think it
through
through
4
decide
Make informed choices
5
deliver
Follow
through
through
6
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.
Mike brings a natural curiosity to every conversation. He listens carefully, asks good questions and works to understand the heart of an issue. I’ve come to know him as a thoughtful leader and a trusted colleague who cares deeply about the community he represents.
Don McCormick
Mayor of Kimberley
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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