CIVIC ELECTION: Mayor Milobar running unopposed — so far
Though some well-known names have already come forward to declare intentions to run for a spot on city council in the Nov. 19 civil election, a challenger for the city’s top political job has yet to emerge.
By the end of July 2008, the last civic election year, there were two candidates running for the mayor’s chair — then councillor Peter Milobar and Murphy Kennedy.
But, as this summer turns to fall and election day draws nearer, Mayor Peter Milobar is still waiting for a dance partner or two.
“I don’t know what to think of that,” he told KTW when asked for his thoughts on whether he expects a challenger to emerge.
“It’s pretty early in the process. We’ll see if people come forward or not.”
City hall made nomination forms available to candidates last month, but the deadline for filing the papers is Oct. 14.
Election day is Nov. 19.
A third candidate, Brian Alexander, joined the mayoral race in 2008 on the last day to file nomination papers.
However, anyone hoping to knock Milobar out of the mayor’s chair will have to overcome significant support — if 2008 figures are an indication.
Milobar coasted to victory in 2008, taking 74 per cent of the vote (13,147 votes).
Kennedy was second with 3,667 votes, followed by Alexander with 921 votes.
The mayor quipped that, as an incumbent, he’d like to think he’s doing a good job, but added he’s not foolish enough to think there aren’t people who might want to run against him.
“It wouldn’t surprise me in the least if there was someone running for mayor,” he said.
“I guess only time will tell.”
John O’Fee, former longtime city councillor and current CEO of the Tk’emlups Indian Band, said he is not surprised there isn’t much competition for the job.
The avid political watcher surmised there tends to be more of a race when there is an open mayor’s chair than when there is an incumbent.
O’Fee noted former mayors Cliff Branchflower and Mel Rothenburger faced little credible opposition in their incumbent years.
“There are lots of candidates that could still come forward,” O’Fee said.
“I don’t think the real campaigning starts until October. If someone isn’t organizing right now and getting a team together and fundraising, he [Milobar] probably will run — practically speaking — unopposed.”
In the meantime, Milobar said he will continue to concentrate on running the city until the official election period begins in mid-October.
It’s at that time, he intends to unveil his election platform.
Seven candidates — Arjun Singh, Ray Nyuli, Nelly Dever, Bryce Eberle, Andy Philpot, Donovan Cavers and Peter Sharp — have announced their intention to challenge the council incumbents.
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