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Byelection candidate’s bike stolen

Nanaimo city council candidate has signature bicycle stolen
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Brunie Brunie’s mobile campaign has been stalled by the theft of her ’60s sting ray style bicycle. News Bulletin file photo.

Theft has ground Brunie Brunie’s mobile city council campaign to a halt until she gets another set of wheels, or hers are found and returned.

Brunie, who has run in numerous campaigns over the years, is known for her style of individualism, that includes her main mode of land transport, a ‘60s-style Mustang or Stingray-style bicycle with high-rise handlebars and banana seat. It also has a metallic orange paint job and the words “Hot Rod” on the frame.

“It’s like a kid’s bike,” Brunie said. “I really like it, you know. I mean, I have to keep up my image. It’s not just any old bike to me.”

The bike was even a rolling billboard that mounted her campaign sign on its frame.

“I’ve eliminated cars from my life, so I really need my bike,” Brunie said. “But, you know, since that happened I’m getting so much feedback from the community. There’s a lady coming to let me borrow a bike.”

There have also been offers of cash donations to help her buy her a new bike or even purchase one outright.

“It really warms my heart,” Brunie said.

The bike was stolen at about 6:30 a.m. Monday, Brunie said, from where it was locked up by an entrance gate to Newcastle Marina, where Brunie lives on a boat. She said she had kept the bike there for several years.

The thief went in, took off a tarp and the sign and was gone, said Brunie. It took less than a minute, she said.

Anyone with information about Brunie’s stolen bike is asked to call the Nanaimo RCMP at 250-754-2345 or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477, text 274637, keyword Nanaimo or submit a tip online at www.nanaimocrimestoppers.com.



Chris Bush

About the Author: Chris Bush

As a photographer/reporter with the Nanaimo News Bulletin since 1998.
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