Election 2008

[Rickj]

I was not aware of those on council that are members of Mensa (perhaps you could enlighten us who they are).

I didnt say that there were people on the CON council who were Mensa members. I have known many Mayors and Councillors over the years from many municipalities and very few have impressed me with their intellect/critical thinking skills. For a number of them the limit of their critical thinking skills involved figuring out if it was a no-host bar.... Drink tickets anyone??

[Rickj]

It is for me. It should be for everyone. Those who are best for the job are the only ones I will work for.

Maybe rather than the term electoral system I should have used the term "party system". The reality is that in most cases I would suggest that the voter does not get a chance to vote for the best candidate because the individual does not get a chance to be a candidate. The nomination system is not based on abilities to think in many cases but rather those who were able to get their friends signed up as members of the party and get them out to the nomination meeting.

I have heard a number of candidates either boast that they got nominated or moan that they did not get nominated because they did or did not arrange a bus to get the members to the meeting.

I have never heard someone comment that they voted to nominate someone because of the great resume and the fantastic goals/policies that they expressed during the nomination meetings.

Beyond that the power of the leader of the party essentially creates a candidate in many cases. This leader may base their decision not based on the quality of the candidate but rather some other criteria such as gender or ethnic background. If it is a "safe" Liberal seat then why work on getting a good quality independant thinker candidate when you can nominate a nicely trained sheep who will follow the party whereever it goes.

[dilligaf]

Maybe rather than the term electoral system I should have used the term "party system".

I would call your attention to the fact that we are talking about the muncipal election. Last election the so-called 'Friends of Plan Nanaimo' tried to run as a party and were roundly defeated. before that we had the 'Accountability Party' which also was a disaster.

So I am not sure which 'Party System' you are referring to.

[Rickj]

I was clarifying my cynical comments regarding the federal/provincial system.

[dilligaf]

I was clarifying my cynical comments regarding the federal/provincial system.

This entire forum 'Election 2008' has been about the upcoming municipal election. Once again, try to keep up.

[titan5]

Interesting that the list of land use planners, social workers, infrastructure experts, emergency planners covers people that have run for council and not been elected in the last few elections.

We seem to have stuck mostly with those that have represented us reasonably well over the years. It takes more then just knowledge to be a councillor or mayor, it usually takes someone that can manage their time to work the system.

The staff at City Hall are hired to be the planners and experts. Taking that information from staff and arriving at a solution is one of the keys to doing a good job.

I was not aware of those on council that are members of Mensa (perhaps you could enlighten us who they are).

Being a ONE ISSUE candidate also does not help elect a councillor as we saw when the FoPN membership ran a variety of members for council and mayor, one of them being a social worker.

The key IMHO seems to be a person that can convince the majority of the electorate that they are capable of having the skills to serve in the position that they are running for. Being involved in committees and community projects or services does help but not as much as the skills needed.

Name recognition is also an asset. . . you can ask Bill Bestwick or Tom Krall how their name assisted them in being the TOP vote getter in the elections that they have ran in. Then again, Bill King might not agree that only name recognition is enough. Bill King stepped down among controversy and was unable to get re-elected when he ran again. . . and IMHO Bill King has the skills needed to be a council member, but people remembered the controversy only and associated that with his name.

Bill McGuire did not win with his name or his community service over the years. Anyone remember how John Ruttan did last time. . . did his name help?

How about Ted Schellenburg? A radio announcer used his name and image to get him elected to Federal Office however he did not get re-elected. Meanwhile Leonard Krog has the ability to get re-elected, not re-elected then elected again not only because of his name but his parties ability to get the vote out has helped him. Frank Ney was our provincial MLA for one election while he was mayor. Tommy Douglas and Dave Stupich both ran on their track records to get seats.

John Ruttan came in second at 4,928 votes behind Korpan's 6,330 a difference of 1,402 votes or if only 702 voters swung the other way he would have won.

A close third was the FPN candidate Jolyon Brown. Then the rest of the pack trailed by quite a bit.

[titan5]

Anyone else confirmed to run? I can only assume after the story in the Daily News about McNabb pursuing a sports multiplex, that he is running again and this will be one of the planks in his platform.

[dilligaf]

Anyone else confirmed to run? I can only assume after the story in the Daily News about McNabb pursuing a sports multiplex, that he is running again and this will be one of the planks in his platform.

I hear that Dawn Tyndall is going for council again. And Ron Bolin will be running for something.

[titan5]

I hear that Dawn Tyndall is going for council again. And Ron Bolin will be running for something.

yeah, I have heard about Dawn Tyndall too. Her and Bill Holdom were seen discussing the upcoming election with Bill considering the Mayor's chair and Tyndall Council.

[Piper]

I had a chat with Loyd Sherry over the weekend and he told me he would announce in September if he will run again. And to the best of my knowledge Gord Fuller is running again for council. Angela Negrin is running for mayor or council. and I think Dawn Tyndal would get my vote if she runs for council again I think she is a decent person. As for some of the ones who are in their now its time for retirement New blood at city hall would be pleasant change.