Re: “Three-term Saanich Coun. Vicki Sanders won’t run again,” Aug. 17.
In Friday’s article announcing Coun. Vicki Sanders’ decision not to run again for office in the Oct. 20 Saanich election, the following was stated: “That will mean at least four vacancies at the council table.” This is a misleading statement.
Every seat on Saanich council, including the mayor’s, will be determined by the electors. Every mayor and councillor seat in B.C. will be contested (barring any acclamations). Every mayor and councillor currently elected has to run for re-election.
While those who have been elected previously sometimes have the advantage of name recognition, that does not mean they will be re-elected. Some current B.C. mayors and councillors will lose their seats, and some new people will be elected.
To continue to say there are vacancies for the upcoming election could discourage some from running for office.
If the newspaper says there are only four vacancies, fewer people might run than if it reports the correct number: one mayor and eight councillors will be elected in Saanich (as will some school district trustees).
Let us hope many will run for office and many voters will turn out on Oct. 20 for the level of government, local, that matters so much to our daily lives.
Mona Brash
Sidney
