This summer’s byelection will be a midterm vote of sorts and a chance to adjust the mix at the Nanaimo city council table.
The nomination period is now open to fill the vacancy left when Wendy Pratt resigned as councillor last month. Already there has been interest in the job. A handful of candidates have immediately made public their intentions to run, and more are likely to put their names forward by a June 2 deadline.
It’s encouraging that there are members of our community who wish to serve Nanaimo through public service. It isn’t going to be easy, and there are some unique job hazards that will come along with joining a council that has seen its share of argument, conflict and even legal action.
A byelection isn’t necessarily in the taxpayers’ best interests because of the costs associated, but in another sense, it does serve the public because it allows citizens some say in leadership in between the general civic elections every four years. Just this year in Nanaimo, we had a costly sports and events centre public process and referendum that was so soundly defeated as to be an indicator of some lack of confidence in city council. This summer’s byelection could help to restore some of that confidence because it will be an expression of the latest will of the majority.
As well, an election is also a two-way conversation, in some respects. Mostly it’s about taxpayers hearing the messages from candidates and making a decision, but we expect successful candidates will also be out and about in the community over the next month and a half hearing from voters and taking into consideration the discussions from the campaign trail.
It’s important for a forward-thinking community to continually hear fresh ideas from new voices. Hopefully that’s happening, and will happen even more now that there’s a byelection campaign serving as a convenient podium.
We look forward to a campaign that will help refresh our council, our civic leadership and our city.