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Letter to Editor
ShareWe have choice
October 14, 2008Since the federal election happened after our deadline, we can’t comment about it here until Friday’s paper, although you’re welcome to visit www.comoxvalleyrecord.com in the meantime.
We can say you’ll have lots of choice in the civic elections Nov. 15.
In Courtenay, Starr Winchester is again opposed by Greg Phelps as she shoots for what she says would be a third and final three-year term as mayor. Phelps, who trailed Winchester by only 238 votes two elections ago, will call for change and make things interesting.
With Phelps’ decision to leave his council seat, at least one newcomer will become one of six Courtenay councillors. All other five councillors are running again, with an equal number of challengers.
Current Comox councillor Paul Ives will be challenged by former councillors Don Davis and Dennis Strand for the top job. Last-minute entries Norton McBride and Bobbi-Rae Dalsaune-Wells must raise their profiles in a busy five-candidate field.
With Ives and councillor John Marinus vacating their seats, that opens the door to at least two of six challengers.
Against a Cumberland backdrop of deteriorating infrastructure and looming large-scale development proposals, current school trustee Rick Grinham will challenge Fred Bates for the mayor’s job.
The same issues will loom over the four incumbents seeking re-election as well as their three challengers.
All school board seats, save the pair claimed for lack of competition, will be fought for as election fortunes turn on how voters feel about the decisions by five of the seven trustees to eliminate middle schools and close some other schools.
Even the three regional district area director seats will be hotly contested.
Watch for candidates who have paid their dues and learned the ropes. Beware ones who appear at the last minute with no relevant resumes.
