Local business owner Mike Jolly has added his name to the ballot in November’s race for mayor of Merritt.

In an emailed statement to the Herald, Jolly said he chose to run for mayor because he sees a “massive disconnect” between the city’s administration, council and residents.

“This disconnect has led to much misunderstanding within the populace. I feel this has had an adverse effect on our ability to be a connective hub with trust in and amongst everyone that lives in Merritt,” Jolly’s statement reads.

Jolly’s statement says most of the city’s budget items fall into two categories: health and safety, and beautification.

He said infrastructure issues must be addressed before the city spends money on attempts to beautify.

“Beautification comes when the work at the core is done. We need to get off the kick on beautification — which is, after all, only skin deep and work with the deeper issues.”

In terms of challenges the city faces, Jolly’s email identifies an information gap between the city and residents.

“People need to be informed, much more so than they currently are,” the email states. “Not just on policy, but on the basics of what the city’s goals are, OCP [Official Community Plan], and participating in making conscious decisions that move us forward.”

Jolly co-owns A&M Holistic Wellness with his wife. The pair relocated their family to Merritt from the Lower Mainland seven years ago.

Jolly joins current councillor Neil Menard and incumbent Susan Roline on the campaign trail for mayor.