The Similkameen News Leader
Editorial
September 02, 2008
HOW I WOULD WIN THE ELECTION - PART 6
Last count, I determined there are five (unconfirmed) candidates running for the seat of Mayor for the Town of Princeton. I'm not sure how many are seeking to fill the other seats around Council Chambers, but let's assume there's another six.
This week I think it's time to get down to business and teach you how to win the local election. First off, if you have aspirations of being Mayor and you've never been on Town Council before, do the taxpayers a favour and try to get elected as a Councillor first. I say this for two reasons: 1) The
'power' seat on Town Council is not the Mayor's chair. It's not even one of the Councillors' to be honest with you. 2) Councillors are the ones with the votes. Pick an issue that comes to the Council Table. There are only four votes at that Table. The Mayor votes to break a tie. I don't remember too many tie breaking votes.
Secondly, if you intend to run for Town Council I would pick a local issue that no one has picked yet. And be the first one to do it.
What issue would I pick if I were running for Council?
That, as it turns out, is a simple one for me. I would choose the Highway 3/Burton Avenue pedestrian-controlled crossing.
Why would I pick that?
Well, a couple of reasons. 1) It's an issue that's been floating under the radar for a while. Forget CBM or CBG or the mine or mountain pine beetle or housing or the industrial park. Those have all been beaten to death. The real issue that'll win you confidence from the voters and taxpayers is fixing that really crappy excuse for a highway crossing. It means going up against the old boys club in Victoria, but a victory, early in your new term as Mayor will instantly turn you bulletproof for the rest of your term. 2) Considering how many people want to be Mayor this go round, the voters of South Princeton just might be enough to squeak you in...but you need to jump on the highway crossing issue yesterday.
I'll even give you a tip on how to get attention to the issue during your election campaign.
Stage a photo-op with someone in either a wheelchair or a cane/walker trying to access the pedestrian control button on one of those ridiculous raised islands.
The following week stage a photo-op with you standing there waiting for traffic to stop. Add to your campaign with Letters to The Editor about how insulted you are that the Campbell Government provided us with such an inadequate piece of technology in the Best Place On Earth.
The week before the election get our local MLA, Harry Lali, on board. Regardless of what your party affiliation is. Harry used to be the Transportation Minister and he needs an issue to sink his teeth into these days, too. I can see how this could bring your campaign for Mayor not only local attention, but media from throughout the province would probably chew into this one.
Then you remind taxpayers during the inevitable All-Candidates Forum how much you care about us in South Princeton by making it safe for us to get downtown to support local business, blah-blah-blah.
That's how I would win the local election.
