Mayor Ken Melamed announced today (Tuesday, Oct. 4) that he's hoping to serve a third term in the municipality's top job.

Melamed is now part of a local mayoral race that includes current councillor Ralph Forsyth and former councillor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden.

Melamed told The Question that with challenging times ahead for the resort it's not the right time for the community to change mayors.

"I think people should vote for me because of the skills and experience that I've gained," he said. "I'm feeling very comfortable — more comfortable than ever — and not in the least bit complacent."

After two terms as mayor, Melamed said he's honed his skills and built valuable relationships within the resort and with other levels of government.

Melamed's campaign platform includes working to continue and build the resort's tourism success, keeping municipal costs and taxes down, and continuing to build a strong community where young families, business operators and aging adults can remain and thrive.

Melamed has lived in Whistler since the 1970s and was first elected as a municipal councillor in 1996. He has served 15 years in municipal government with three terms as a councillor and two as mayor.

Check out Thursday's edition of the Question for more on this story.