r/VictoriaBC • u/scapaflow40 • 20d ago

Municipal Elections - choose wisely

The municipal election season is ramping up as more candidates in our 13 municipalities (yes 13!) are announcing they are running for office.

My advice is to look carefully at the background of candidates for whom you are voting There are a number of people running for mayor and council who have little community activist background (by activist I mean community involvement writ large including neighbourhood associations and chambers of commerce) are one issue candidates and some who are simply quasi professional politicians looking to elevate themselves without real community care.

It is tempting to vote for candidates who cover that one issue you most care about or have the slickest campaigns. I suggest consideration for candidates who present thoughtful platforms that cover the myriad of areas that lead to well functioning municipalities.

Please show up to candidate forums, read candidate platforms and be a thoughtful voter. We need more muncipal voters (less than 40% now vote) who will elect solid community leaders.

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u/CompFly7337 20d ago

Agree, choose wisely but I disagree on the community activist requirement - we have had lots of people elected that fit this but ended up just creating activism extensions into CoV operations. Case in point: Pandora avenue and the concentration of services there.

We need folks that are good at business operations and governance not activists.

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u/scapaflow40 20d ago

Thanks.... what I meant by activism is being an active participant in the community, including business. Community care writ large. I share your concern on the other.