Abbotsford chiropractor Dr. Bruce Banman has declared his candidacy for mayor.

The long-time resident said he was convinced by friends to seek office.

“I was going to run for council, but I talked to my friends and colleagues and they said ‘Don’t run for council, run for mayor. We need the leadership,’” he said.

Banman said the city is “in need of a positive vision” and that “taxpayers are not a bottomless pit.”

“We need to take a serious look at what we are doing … we forget about our youth. What are we leaving behind for them?”

Knowing that the P3 water project for Stave Lake will be an election issue, Banman said he isn’t ant-P3.

“I do think we have some time, though, to make the right decision. Having the Bevan Wells has bought us some time to take a closer, careful look at the issue.”

Banman grew up in Chilliwack and went to school in Portland, Oregon. He moved to Abbotsford in 1981.