The Record is keeping tabs on candidates who will be vying for voters' support when they head to the polls on Nov. 19.
Incumbent mayor Wayne Wright will be seeking a fourth term in office, but he'll be challenged by longtime New Westminster resident James Crosty.
A number of residents have announced they will be candidates for city council: John Ashdown; Jonathan Cote (incumbent); Cal Donnelly; Bill Harper (incumbent); Vladimir Krasnogor; Jaimie McEvoy (incumbent); Betty McIntosh (incumbent); David Noshad; Bob Osterman (incumbent); Gavin Palmer; Susan Wandell; and Lorrie Williams (incumbent).
Longtime resident Vance McFadyen had been considering a run for council, but has now ruled it out.
"No reason other than I think the mayor overall and current council have done a pretty good job in New Westminster," he said. "I see no reason really to run."
On the school board front, candidates who have informed The Record of their intentions to run include: Nikki Binns, Jonina Campbell, Casey Cook, Michael Ewen, Jim Goring, Lisa Graham, James Janzen, MaryAnn Mortensen and David Phelan. The nomination period for the local election ends on Friday, Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
MORE VOICE CANDIDATES?
Voice New Westminster has made a couple of changes since the 2008 election. Neil Powell, president of Voice New Westminster, said the civic electors slate is still the same group it was in 2008, even though there have been some changes to its board of directors since that time.
While the group rented out office space in a high-profile location on Sixth Street in 2008, that's not in the cards for the 2011 municipal election. Powell said it was good to have a public street presence, but it didn't offer good value for its money - something Voice has been seeking at both city council and school board.
Powell said Voice New Westminster candidates will run their own campaigns but will also be able to get support from the organization.
"I am really happy with the group we have got," Powell said. "We have some candidates who will be familiar to people from their past or civic engagements they have had over the last few yes."
Earlier this week, Voice announced that it was supporting four candidates for city council (John Ashdown, David Noshad, Gavin Palmer and Susan Wandell) and four for school board (incumbents Casey Cook, Jim Goring and Lisa Graham and former district parent advisory council chair MaryAnn Mortensen).
"It's like of like a wed-ding," Powell said of the slate. "It's something old, something new."
Voice hasn't ruled out supporting additional candidates, as more people have expressed an interest in running in the Nov. 19 election.
CROSTY GETTING CHATTY
James Crosty is holding a series of Citizen Chats so people can get to know him better.
"I love meeting people one-on-one and really appreciate hearing what they have to say," he said. "It is my objective to bring my experience in citizen advocacy to the mayor's chair and city hall. I want the people to know I will be a mayor that listens. I want the citizens to know that I will be a mayor for the people first."
Citizen Chat is an initiative that encourages a person to invite a number of people or neighbours into their home, business or other venues for the purpose of meeting Crosty. "We have another six booked in October, but there are plenty more days left if anyone is interested."
