With roughly four months to go prior to the official campaigning season for the local government elections in November - I thought I would just take an opportunity to review some of the people who are likely to run in November's election:
Williams Lake Mayor:
3 names floating around:
1) Kerry Cook - incumbent Mayor
2) Scott Nelson - former Mayor and name most mentioned as I walk in town
3) Walt Cobb - also former Mayor, MLA (Cariboo-South) and current President of the local Chamber of Commerce and Williams Lake Tribune columnist
Other Mayoralty candidates may include:
* Jason Ryll - Mr. Ryll could also run for Councillor as well and probably could be elected, given his name recognition in our community
* Dr. Elmer Thiessen - ran in 2005 and came in 3rd out of a 4 person race for Mayor. I've been assured that Dr. Thiessen does not, at this time, intend to seek election in the 2011 muncipal election
Williams Lake City Councillor:
Using the 2008 General Election List for Councillor candidates as a starting point - here is my suspected list of candidates (again - these are my own thoughts and I haven't necessary discussed same with the listed people)
1) Tom Barr - incumbent (I expect he'll run unless he decides otherwise. Reasons not to run could include age (Mr. Barr will be 73 this year and in addition, he looks after his own business - Comer Station Pub. He also lost his wife, Kathy, to cancer last year and may play a part whether or not he decides to soldier on for a 3rd consecutive term)
2) SPS Rathor - incumbent (Bank on the fact he'll seek an 7th term and he'll win and be at the top of the poll for most votes.
3) Laurie Walters - incumbent. Although Ms. Walters and I do disagree on a number of things, I suspect she is enjoying her role as City Councillor and pending a mis-read of the voters, she'll run and get a 2nd term on Council
4) Geoff Bourdon - incumbent. Mr. Bourdon and I do agree on a number of things and he appears to enjoy what he is doing. I'm counting on him to ask for re-election. Now - will he be re-elected, depends on what he is seeking re-election for and whether this community will agree with it or not
5) Sue Zacharias - incumbent. Ms. Zacharias and myself do not agree on a number of things, just like Councillor Walters however Ms. Zacharias is fairly well known in Williams Lake. If she decides to run for re-election, one issue she'll have to deal with is the throny matter around her company, United Concrete and whether or not she had any involvement with the cement portion of the Mackenzie Avenue Rehab Project. For the record - I've discussed with her and she absolutely denies any involvement with this matter. Can she win - again, depends on what she is seeking re-election for and whether or not the community of Williams Lake agrees with her
6) Wayne Reeves - ran in both the 2005/2008 Muncipal elections and I heard suggestions that he is considering doing the same. Mr. Reeves is a former Constiency assistant to Walt Cobb, when he was the MLA for Cariboo-South for 2001-2005. It'll be interesting to see if Mr. Reeves decides to run for a 3rd time. Mr. Reeves would only need to get (assuming 11 Councillor candidates) an additional 95 votes
7) Don Fornwald - ran in the 2008 Muncipal election and lost. Got 1,104 votes and came in 8th place. To get elected (assuming 11 Councillor candidates), he'll need to get an additional 104 votes
8) Judy O'Neill/Sheila Mortensen - both have assured me that they have no intention of seeking re-election
9) Chuck Pearson - provincially prohibited from running in this fall's civic election, due to not failing the requirement financial disclosure form by the spring of 2009. He can run for election in November of 2014
Other possible contenders could include:
* Terry Tyab - ran in 2005, was prohibited in 2008 from running, again didn't fail her financial disclosure form in the spring of 2006
* Richard Kohlen - ran in 2005
* Richard Vollo - ran in 2005
* Steve Forseth - ran in 2005 (City of WL), 2008 (CRD - Area 'F'). I'll be discussing this very possibility this September so stay tuned
* Mike Orr - ran in 2005 (not sure if he's still in our area)
* Julian Morgan - ran in 2005 (currently works for ICBC as a Driver Examiner)
* Dean Fulton - currently is a singer for Soupbone and is a freelance columnist with the Williams Lake Tribune
Meanwhile - over at the Cariboo Regional District:
My read is Electoral Areas A, C, G, H, I, J, K will see acclamations
Area 'B' - current Director is Roberta Faust. Seems to enjoy what she is doing however with health challenges over the last while - she may decide that the job is too much relative to if her health can stand up for another 3 year term. Also - former Area 'B' Director Ken Falloon may decide to take another run at her in November.
Area 'D' - current Director is Deb Bischoff. In my conversations with her - she truly enjoys her role as the Area 'D' Director. However, at this year's 2011 Town Hall meeting, Area 'D' resident Bobby Lloyd asked some hard hitting questions around the most recent Duncan Barnett court case involving the CRD and Director Bischoff, as a sworn elected official, can not answer these questions. It is within the realm of possibilities that a Bischoff vs Lloyd fight for the Area 'D' Directorship is possible. I've also heard, via the grapevine, that others in Wildwood (part of Area 'D') may try to challenge Ms. Bischoff to get her defeated. Stay tuned - the Area 'D' election might get interesting.
Pls Note - Area 'D' has had a signficant turn-over of Directors since 2002.
2002-2005 - Tim Pennell
2005-2008 - Sue Zacharias
2008-2011 - Deb Bischoff
Area 'E' - current Director is Steve Mazur. Mr. Mazur, from what I can observe, throughly enjoys his role as the Area 'E' Director and although there was the throny issue around issuing a DVP (Development Variance Permit) for Lee Bunce at the Flett Subdivision, which according to Flett subdivision residents has a "residential-only" convenant, he has done a decent job since then and may get acclaimed in November. But the possibility of an election does exist if Flett subdivision decide they want to make an election issue over the DVP issueance.
Area 'F' - current Director is Joan Sorley. Ms. Sorley, from a field of 3 candidates, was elected earlier this year in a by-election. I would be very surprised if Ms. Sorley were to be challenged this November. At the end of the day - I believe Area 'F' residents desire to give Ms. Sorley a chance to govern for another 3 year term, plus the remainder of Mr. Barnett's elected term of 2008-2011 before passing judgement on whether or not she's been a good representative of Area 'F'. No - there'll be no election here, in my opinion
Area 'L' - current Director is Bruce Rattray. Very progressive Director, runs his own website at http://www.brucerattray.ca and let's his voters' know what is going on in Area 'L' and what is coming up at the Cariboo Regional District. Mr. Rattray has been busy with development proposals in his Area in addition to resolving the issue of an OCP (Official Community Plan) for Green Lake (which half is in his Electoral Area and half is in Area 'E' of the Thompson-Nicola Regional District)
However, former Area 'L' Director Maureen Pinkey is back in 100 Mile serving as a Director for the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce. Could Ms. Pinkey decide to seek the Area 'L' Directorship once again?? Possible, but we'll have to wait and see what happens.
Stay informed as the local government elections throughout the Cariboo Chilcotin will be interesting to follow and hopefully everyone will be engaged as candidates come to your door for support. Don't forget to ask them the tough questions that may be on your mind including crime, property taxes, local jobs, spending at your muncipal hall or the Cariboo Regional District
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