More candidates on election day means more choices, but it also means more research is required for voters to make informed decisions on which candidate is the right choice.
Based on the number of candidates for City of Powell River and qathet Regional District (qRD) positions in 2022, multiple choices are exactly what area residents have, except for two.
Current qRD Electoral Area C director Clay Brander faced and defeated two opponents in 2018, garnering more votes than his two opponents combined. Initially he was to run against Cody Hughes this time around, but the latter pulled out, resulting in acclamation for Brander.
Andrew Fall, who defeated longtime Area E director Merrick Anderson in 2018, was also acclaimed and will represent Lasqueti Island for another term.
For those who are happy with decisions made over the past four years, incumbents are on the ballot. For those who desire change, new names want that check mark.
Stories and submissions on the Peak's 2022 civic election page provide information on candidates running for city mayor and councillor positions, as well as qRD electoral areas A and B.
Current city councillors CaroleAnn Leishman and Maggie Hathaway, who received the most votes (3,084 and 3,052 respectively) among successful candidates in 2018, when residents could vote for both if they chose to, are running for mayor this time around, when voters have to make a specific choice. They join Ron Woznow, who received nearly 2,000 votes when he ran for mayor in 2018, on the ballot in an intriguing three-way race this year.
How those votes are split, and the impact of Woznow’s earlier start on the campaign trail, will be compelling to follow with 12 more days of campaigning and an all-candidates meeting to come tonight (October 3) at Powell River Recreation Complex (7:30 to 9:30 pm).
In Area B, Mark Gisborne and Alan Rebane face each other for the second time. Gisborne received 80 more votes than his counterpart in 2018, when three names were on the ballot. Where the votes go that went to Janet May, who finished second, may determine if Gisborne continues as director or Rebane takes over.
For the first time in more than 20 years, Patrick Brabazon is not on the ballot for Area A, meaning one of Mace Mowbray, Jason Lennox or Todd Habekost will be a new face at the regional board table.
The voting public should be satisfied with the diverse group of candidates who represent a cross-section of our population.
Requests and demands to get out and vote are coming, which will amp up as election day approaches. Until then, learning more about the candidates’ positions on issues is essential to determining which boxes to mark on Saturday, October 15.
Choices are in abundance. Have you made your decisions yet?
