There will only be two races for the Nov. 15 municipal elections in the our neck of the woods.
That's because the two School District #27 trustees in our area – Chris Pettman and Tanya Guenther – were unopposed.
The same is true for the Cariboo Regional District seats in our area – Al Richmond and Margo Wagner - were not challenged, and newcomer Brian Coakley was the lone candidate for the seat vacated by Director Bruce Rattray.
This is a sign that either the incumbents did good work during their terms, or there is a lack of interest in local politics.
While we believe the local politicians worked hard, the low turnout for the last municipal election – around 32 per cent – shows the interest isn't too keen.
Winning seats by acclamation or no opposition is really unfortunate because it means there will be no debate about local education or regional district issues.
It also means folks won't have an opportunity to attend an all-candidates forum to get answers for pressing issues in those local governments in the run up to the election.
However, we can always talk to them directly, through letters or at town-hall meetings – of course, we would have to show up to those meetings.
However, there are a couple of races for seats at the District of 100 Mile House council table, and the election campaigns should be interesting.
Maureen Pinkney is taking another run at the mayor's seat, as she goes up against Mitch Campsall again.
John McCarvill, Peter Reid and Rita Giesbrecht will be trying to dislodge incumbent councillors Dave Mingo, Bill Hadden, Ralph Fossum and Spence Henderson.
Folks should definitely be paying attention to the Free Press to read what these candidates are saying and what they see as the important issues, the changes they would like to make and how they proposed to pay for those changes.
We will also have to listen carefully to what they say at the All Candidates Forum being sponsored by the South Cariboo Chamber of Commerce.
The forum will be held at the Valley Room behind The Lodge/Red Coach Inn, starting at 7 p.m.
The Chamber wants the public to send questions – on issues and priorities – that will be presented to the candidates. Send them to manager@southcariboochamber.org, or mail them to PO Box 2312, 100 Mile House, B.C., V0K 2EO.
The Free Press would also like readers' questions to ask the candidates for our special Municipal Elections pages, so please send your questions to newsroom@100milefreepress.net, or drop them off at our office at #3 Pinkney Complex.