Sifting through all the options and making an educated decision on Oct. 20 could seem like a daunting task.
In Courtenay alone, there are four worthy mayoral candidates and 16 candidates running for council.
Comox is guaranteed a new mayor, as either Russ Arnott or Tom Diamond will succeed Paul Ives, who chose not to run for re-election. There are also nine council candidates for six positions.
In Cumberland, we have Leslie Baird facing a race for the first time in three elections, as Eduardo Uranga has challenged for the mayoral seat. There are also seven candidates for the four council positions.
And each electoral area in the Comox Valley Regional District has two candidates, meaning there will be decisions for voters to make on every governance in the Comox Valley.
This is a good thing. This is what democracy is all about.
We should consider ourselves fortunate that we have so many people interested in making a difference in our community.
Shockingly, it’s not the same in many villages, towns and cities in British Columbia.
When the nomination period ended, Sept. 14, a whopping 36 mayors were declared acclaimed. That’s 22 per cent of the municipalities in British Columbia that will not have a choice – including our neighbours to the north, in Campbell River.
Now, there’s no doubt that some of those communities have mayors deserving of another four years. In others, where the sitting mayor is not running, residents are fortunate to have anyone at all.
Still, the one thing that will be constant will be the dissatisfaction of residents with their mayors and councils after Oct. 20.
The complainers will continue to complain, and the disgruntled will continue to grunt.
At least in our community we can take pride that we have plenty of citizens willing to step up and make a difference.
Now it’s up to us, the electorate.
Do your research, and make your selections.
Voting is your right. Men and women died making sure that right was protected for you.
Take the time to be part of the process… and if you choose not to vote, please refrain from grunting.
