This year’s civic election appears to have a number of major differences from the last one in 2008. One of the most outstanding differences is the reduced number of candidates.
In 2008, seven candidates ran for mayor in the City of Powell River. In 2011, only two are seeking that position, Mayor Stewart Alsgard, who is hoping to be elected for a fifth term, and Councillor Dave Formosa, who is completing his first term in office.
The number of candidates for council has also been whittled down to 10, from 15 in 2008.
Remarkably, only five candidates have emerged for positions on School District 47’s Board of Education, compared to 12 in 2008. Since there are only five trustee positions, these candidates will be acclaimed if there is no legal challenge to any of their candidacies.
Acclamation also looks likely for three Powell River Regional District rural directors. Colin Palmer, board chair and Electoral Area C director, Patrick Brabazon, Area A director, and Dave Murphy, Texada Island director, have no opponents in the election, which means they too will be acclaimed if their candidacies are not challenged in court.
If the school trustee and regional district candidates are acclaimed, rural voters in Areas A, C and D will not be casting ballots this time. That would be a significant change from 2008, when higher than historical voter turnout resulted in a shortage of ballots at polling stations in Area C and at Tla’Amin (Sliammon) First Nation, part of Area A.
In 2008, the voter turnout in the city was estimated to be 47 per cent, over twice the provincial average of 23 per cent. Hopefully the smaller number of candidates will not be reflected in voter turnout for 2011.
No one can know for sure why the number of candidates has decreased this election, but there are a number of reasons why public office is not an attractive prospect. Long hours, little in remuneration, public scrutiny, the lack of a private life and vitriolic attacks all are part of holding public office. Local government affects quality of life and having honest, reliable and committed elected officials is key to having effective public policy that responds to the needs of the people.
City of Powell River residents have important decisions to make as there are a number of challenging issues facing the community, including how to treat the city’s sewage, rising residential property taxes and the need for affordable housing. It’s important between now and November 19 that voters ask questions of the candidates and find out where they stand on those issues.
