It’s democracy in action.
Two individuals have now declared their intention to run for Vernon mayor during Nov. 15’s civic election and it’s anticipated that others may also step forward.
On top of this, candidates are also needed for Vernon councillor and elected positions in Armstrong, Enderby, Spallumcheen, Coldstream, Lumby and Lake Country, as well as the North Okanagan, Columbia-Shuswap and Central Okanagan regional districts. There will also be seats available on the local school boards.
Most residents will take it for granted that there will be numerous names on the ballot to chose from. But, keep in mind, that many electoral area seats are filled by acclamation because there is only one candidate, while in other jurisdictions, there are just enough hopefuls to pull an election together.
We would hope that while the nomination period is underway, residents throughout the North Okanagan will consider letting their name stand.
There’s no question that civic politics take up considerable time for meetings, research and social engagements, but it’s also an opportunity to be active in your community and make a difference.
And a variety of skill sets is critical given the challenges facing all communities, including aging infrastructure and public demands for services while trying to ensure a fiscally responsible organization. Councils are generally dominated by retirees or the self-employed, and while their involvement is positive, a broad-based perspective of ages, genders and economic backgrounds would be welcome.
If you are interested in running for office, contact your local municipality or regional district for more information or speak to a current or former official about the pros and cons that come along with such a responsibility.
Politicians are too often not held in high-esteem, but remember that they still play a critical role in our society, and particularly at the local level, they can make a difference.
