Twenty-two people have filed nomination papers to represent Nanaimo as city councillors. Some are new, others are trying to return to public office while others are seeking a consecutive term. Incumbents running include:
u Fred Pattje, seeking his second consecutive term
u Diana Johnstone, seeking her second consecutive term
u Jim Kipp, seeking his second consecutive term
u Bill Bestwick, seeking his third consecutive term
u Ted Greves, was elected in a by-election in March and seeking his first full term
u Incumbents who have decided not to seek re-election include Bill Holdom, Loyd Sherry and Merv Unger
Familiar faces running for council include:
u Gary Korpan, who served as Nanaimo’s mayor from 1993-2008 before being defeated last term by John Ruttan. Her served four terms as councillor previously.
u Diane Brennan served two consecutive terms on city council before being defeated in the 2008 mayoral race.
u Jeet Manhas served two consecutive terms on council before moving to provincial politics in 2008.
Other candidates include:
u George Anderson, an active member of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo who works at Elections Canada and is also a student at Vancouver Island University
u Arlene Blundell, arts advocate and community organizer
u Brunie Brunie, advocate for the homeless, has run for council several times
u Chris Cathers, an active member of the Young Professionals of Nanaimo who currently works in real estate, developing and online business publishing.
u Brian Fillmore, local businessman ran and finished second in March by-election
u Gord Fuller, local social advocate and chairman of Nanaimo 7-10 Club
u Rod Lomas, employed with Nav Canada as an air traffic specialist. Previously ran for school board trustee
u Zeni Maartman, previously ran twice as a federal NDP candidate in Nanaimo-Alberni
u Bill McKay, local businessman who finished fourth in March’s municipal by-election
u Darcy Olsen, social advocate who finished third in March’s municipal by-election
u Christopher James Oulette-Croucher
u Peter Ramsay
u Trent Snikkers, currently an appraiser for BC Assessment, first time running for Nanaimo city council
u Rob Zver, former president of CUPE local 606
Look for more candidate coverage in upcoming issues of the Nanaimo News Bulletin.
reporter2@nanaimobulletin.com