New West gets steady turnout at advanced polls

Advanced polls have attracted quite a crowd in the days leading up to the Nov. 15 election.

The City of New Westminster’s election staff wouldn’t comment on reports that more people had voted in advanced polls by Nov. 8 than all of the advanced polls in 2011.

“All I can say is the turnout was good and it was steady throughout the day at all three of the advanced polls,” said Isabell Hadford, chief election officer. “We encourage people to come out and vote at the rest of the two advanced polls on Wednesday and the regular polls on Saturday.”

In addition to advance polls on Wednesday, Nov. 5 and Saturday, Nov. 8, residents are also able to vote in an advanced voting opportunity on Wednesday, Nov. 12 at the New Westminster Lawn Bowling clubhouse (710 Eighth St.) and city council chamber in city hall (511 Royal Ave.).

In the lead-up to the Nov. 15 civic election, special voting opportunities were also being offered at Dunwood Place, Thornebridge Gardens, Royal Columbian Hospital and Queen’s Park Care Centre.

Mission (one of them) accomplished

Mayoral candidate Jonathan X. Cote successfully completed his One Million Steps to Victory campaign while door knocking on the weekend. 
Launched in late August, Cote committed to taking one million steps during his campaign to be the next mayor of New Westminster.
 “I am proud of the hard-working campaign we have run,” he said in a press release. “I have taken the time to talk directly with residents about my vision for the future and listen to the concerns and aspirations of our community.”
According to Cote, he got a chance to hear about the issues and concerns of New Westminster residents, but he also got in shape, lost several pounds and travelled enough ground to have walked to Portland and back.
“We had a few mix-ups along the way, like when my pedometer’s battery died,” he said. “That cost me a hundred uncounted steps, but I caught up and met my goal.”
Although Cote has accomplished his goal of walking a million steps during the 2014 election campaign, he’ll continue to knock on doors until election day. 
“It feels good to have set a goal and then seen it through.  Door knocking on all those doors and speaking to all those residents has been really rewarding,” he said. “I’ve received a lot of positive feedback and I’m glad I put in the effort.” 

Women’s commission proposed

Mayoral candidate James Crosty wants to support the advancement of women in community – whether that’s in office, in business or in the home.
While city hall offers many volunteer committees, Crosty said there are none that specifically address the advancement of women in New West.

“The creation of a city-endorsed women’s commission, chaired by a woman and comprised of women volunteers, would provide women opportunities to discuss ways to support each other by mentoring, networking and the offer of business assistance,” he said.

New Westminster resident and former council candidate Susan Wandell offered to help Crosty in establishing the commission and they’ve come up with a preliminary concept to make it happen if he’s elected mayor.

According to Crosty, the commission would not necessarily be limited to a single issue such as entrepreneurship, but once completely established, would serve to offer ideas and support for women in all sections of our community,