I wish I could vote, but I live just outside city limits. What the mayor and council do still has a huge impact on my life.

Thank you 250 News for your great 2014 election coverage. Our house hold depends on the coverage to make an informed decision. We listened to all the radio interviews and came up with a few scratches to be replaced by some new candidates for council. I hope our decisions will better our community. Lets get the pride back into this great City and move forward.

you are right Ben, there are those running who wish to do the best they can for our community and then there are a whole pack of them who are running for their own self interests and those of their SPONSORS??????

Well if you look over the last few election years there has been a decrease every single time. I don’t expect it to increase that much at all but hoping that it’ll be around the same as last time. I can see a few council members having more votes than the two mayor candidates just like 2011. Prove me wrong PG and get off your butt and vote!

Election Day is only four days past Remembrance Day, it should still be fresh in the minds of our fellow citizens, that the men and women who laid down their lives, did so for our freedom. Being able to vote is part of that freedom. Our soldiers stood in harms way, enduring the cold and rain and the heat of the day. They were down in the mud of ditches and on the fields as open prey. Thousands gave up their life, so that we may have voting day. So don’t let down our troops, get up and endure the cold of the day and vote for your favorite, on election day!

was great to vote early. Hopefully we’ll have a mostly new council with fresh ideas.
Like how they throw in “vote for 7 school trustee’s”! Like anyone is going to know who the hell they are? Should have read, “vote for most appealing name”!

Thank you so much Opinion 250 for the election coverage. My mother-in-law is sight impaired and without being able to listen to the coverage, she would not have known who she favoured. Great work!

‘Thousands gave up their life, so that we may have voting day. So don’t let down our troops, get up and endure the cold of the day and vote for your favorite, on election day!’

– honestly, I wonder where some of you people were educated. The troops gave their lives for us to vote in a municipal election? I’m sorry, who on earth taught you this? lol, priceless stuff on 250news comments. I think you better study history a little further before knocking out such garbage.

Great election coverage Opinion 250. Being able to read other people’s opinions has been informative and entertaining as well.

Just remember folks–that saying, didn’t vote–don’t complain then.

“If you don’t go out and vote tomorrow, please do not think that you have earned the right to complain about the decisions of our council and Mayor over the next four years.” .. this is a ridiculous statement.
In a democracy I have the right to my opinion, whether positive or negative, towards any and all candidates and thier policies or choices. By your logic I can’t ever complain about actions or policies Harper
stands for because I never voted for him specifically, but only voted for a representative in my riding. Your statement reflects you censorship policy when it comes to some peoples comments on here, under the
guise of protecting yourself legally, when we all know, you could not be held liable for someone elses opinion just because they wrote it on your site. I am sure a bunch of your groupies will come on here and
be all upset and tell me “If I don’t like the policies I don’t have to come here and read or comment”, but that wouldn’t be very democratic would it? Afterall, we ALL have a RIGHT to our own opinions, whether
you agree with them or not.

ntkr14 – ditto to you also.

so where is the polling station?

Why should anyone think they have to vote if they believe none of whom or whatever they’re supposed to be voting for will actually represent them or be what they want?

Oftentimes a vote at any of our elections now has just about as much meaning as a vote at a beauty contest, or selecting from a pre-selected list of ten great things about Canada.

For anyone to say that those who don’t vote under such a condition then have no right to complain about the outcome of the election later is utterly mindless under that kind of situation.

Let me give you an example. In our municipality, (not PG), not one single candidate has said they will work to reduce our property taxes and other fees, (such as for water and garbage pick-up, etc., all of which are becoming onerous. The closest thing to that was from one incumbent Councillor who said in his mail-out to the electorate, “I will work to reduce future tax INCREASES.”

But if the powers-that-be, of which he hopes to again be amongst, decide that his salary as a Councillor should rise will he refuse the raise if such helps lead to a ‘future tax increase’? Not if the example of his past voting record on such matters is any indication, he won’t. Nor will any of the others of his ilk also seeking to give ‘public service’, and be well rewarded monetarily for doing so. But we’re being told that we should vote for these people, and by doing so tacitly sanction what they are doing to us in return? It’s no wonder turn-out is so low when there really is none amongst them that represents anything more than a continuation of the exact same ‘policy’ they all subscribe to, and the only thing we’re given a choice on is which one of them will be the lucky one annointed to pick their own ‘method’ of imposing it on us.

We have had ample opportunity to hear from the candidates yes, but what have we really heard? Platitudes, mostly obtuse answers designed to evade any real accountability to a platform based mandate.

By and large, save for maybe a half dozen of the candidates total, we have a bunch of potential elected leaders that are running on nothing less then an open mandate based on a hidden agenda that is governed by nothing more than their ‘judgement and professed expertise to make proper judgements’… measured by name recognition efforts.

I have been listening and waiting for the candidates to step forward with platforms, details about a vision and how we can get there… all we got was platitudes that evade any metrics we can use to evaluate or measure the success of any mandate.

We have to vote yes, but I don’t believe we have to cast blind ballots for candidates that we can not measure against clear policy objectives, guiding principles, and for campaigns that lack a community vision with respect for the responsibility to represent the community as a whole, rather than as partisan personal interests.

I think three councilors returning would be ideal, so as to have a continuity of deliberation process and experience on council. Hopefully council renewal brings in a majority of elected council members. I am looking to see which councilors can get elected with 50%+1 of the total voters that participated, and will view these as the true leaders of public opinion in PG on council.

I think for mayor we have the option of two flavors of vanilla, both of which are running for an open mandate to carry out a hidden agenda. If we had a ‘none of the above option’ it would probably win. I think if enough people simply do not vote for mayor, just vote for the councilors that you support, then we can limit the idea of an open mandate by the mayor elect.

If we had 20,000 people turn out to vote and a third don’t cast a ballot for mayor, or spoil the ballot for mayor by voting for both, then even if the mayor is elected with 60% of the positive votes it would still be a minority mandate and a moral victory for a semblance of future accountability to the whole of the city.

I think if we have a mayor elected with an open mandate by a majority of votes cast, than things like a PAC and business property having voting rights that will wipe out the home property owners voice before we have another chance to vote on those two issues… this will be the next term reality.

Time Will Tell

To Huh; I’m working at an election site; so yup, I already cast my ballot at an advance poll. The problem is municipal elections usually get such a low turn out. It is a very long day for the workers, if more folks come out; it makes the day go a little bit faster.

Got a robo call from one of the new council hopefuls. Call display said International call. Really? A robo call? Not getting my vote!

Got a mailer from Steelworkers the other day too stating which hopefuls the Steelworkers support! They aren’t getting my vote either.
I can make up my own mind thank you.

Can’t wait for those awful signs to come down! New council should adopt a bylaw for next election of No Signs Allowed like Whistler has. If they want to spend money donate it to charity.

I agree NoWay. I got one of those robo calls too and that person was someone that I had some hopes about – not now. Also discouraged to see how much money from CUPE that some of the candidates have taken. That to me is a real conflict of interest. I also think that taking large amounts of money from businesses who do business on a regular basis with the city is a conflict of interest. I guess the old saying the end justifies the means applies here.

“- honestly, I wonder where some of you people were educated. The troops gave their lives for us to vote in a municipal election? I’m sorry, who on earth taught you this? lol, priceless stuff on 250news comments. I think you better study history a little further before knocking out such garbage.”

PG101, your thinking is too short sighted. Our soldiers have defended Canada and thus protects our democracy. And our democratic status allows us to vote in municipal, provincial, and federal politics. If we had lost WWII, do you think we would have the right to vote?

People all around the world fight and die for the rights we take for granted. Sure, it is within your right to be apathetic to the election, and not cast a vote. But it is my opinion those are selfish individuals who take our rights for granted. They have a serious case of “first world problems”…

One thing is certain. There have been no issues discussed during this campaign. We have already been taxed for additional snow removal, and road rehab, so in effect they are not an issue.

No discussion whatsoever about the high cost of running this city, and the high taxes and user fee’s etc;

Over 60% of our operating budget, some $77 Million dollars is paid out for Protective Services, Recreation, and General Government, yet nothing is mentioned through out the campaign about these costs. The fact of the matter is these costs are unsustainable, and will have to be dealt with one way or another, yet we get SILENCE.

Nothing said about high taxes and user fees plus other increases that effect middle/low income people to the point it makes day to day living difficult. This is a serious issue, yet we get SILENCE.

So. No issues equals no interest. I doubt if we will get a much different turn out than the last election.

PS,. I agree with Socredible and Eagleone on this issue.

Get your tech to change the refresh issue on this site, you can make it so everything you are writing doesn’t get wiped out when the refresh happens. I have lost comments I was in the middle of twice because of the refresh. Also, having to log in each time you leave and revisit the site is very annoying to, get into the 21st century already.

This is opinion250. Its amazing how som feel that their opinion is more valid then the next person and then make derogatory remarks and try us show us just how much smarter they are. Some of you thinkl that these candidates are all about themselves. Just look in the mirror and tell mem what you see.

Going over the candidates that Ben hnas had on 250 everyone of them appeared to be dedicated to serve on council. Sure some are blow hards but that goes with the territory. If your so honest and hard working why not run for council.
Cheers

Huh…. firstly the fact we all have to log back in after leaving the site is a security failsafe for this site and every other website out there with any kind of common sense. Secondly, if you are writing something that takes that long to complete, then type it out in a word processor first and then copy/paste into this forum.

21st century solutions.

From the guy who can’t seem to go two posts without informing us how he adores living in “Abby”. Where even Bountiful, BC, appears secular, by comparison.

The candidate in an election are not supposed to be space engineers all they need to be is good listeners and ask questions. That’s why you have a city administrator and her staff. We know that the city spent a lot of dollars on airy fairy projects and that is because as taxpayers you weren’t listings.

All you know is cut taxes which are lower then in other communities your size. I know this statement is going to get a lot of shity remarks but we pay more for taxes in Abbotsford for our 1500sq ft town home then we apaid in PG for our 2200 sq ft single family residence in Pinecone sub.

So lighten up. If a poster talks about war and our soldiers they are just telling you that its about democracy that give you the right to vote.
Cheers

I love Abby Jimmy you just cant resist banging me. Your such an ass.
Cheers

Just a thought here, our hard won freedoms give us the right to protest and strike in a non violent way, correct? Those same freedoms would allow us to protest by not voting, correct? Would be interesting if everyone stayed home to protest against non and hidden agendas.

If you’re not going to bother to get informed about the candidates or issues, then it’s probably best that you stay home and not vote. Voting should be left for those who put in the effort.

I thought a protest vote was when you went down to the polling station, got your ballot, left it blank and returned it.
That was to show that you would vote if you felt there was a candidate worth voting for but the slate provided no such person. How else would you show you are not impressed rather than apathetic?

Retired: “This is opinion250.”

News flash: This site hasn’t been Opinion250 for a very long time. It’s been 250News for at least a year or two now.

Retired 02. Unless you are going to compare the added costs of utilities, special line taxes on roads, and snow, winter games for the past 5 years, plus other increased costs like food, gas, heating, etc, then your comparison means nothing.

The problem is much bigger that just house taxes.

Don’t feed the troll.

I have listened to all the air shows on CFIS -mixcloud, read what others have said in other newspaper venues and attended 2 candidate forums. I was at the Library on Wed. night and just looked at the questions another paper asked all candidates.

I have crossed some people off of my voting list as their answers to some of the questions were completely different from what they told me in person at the library.
I also found a couple of comments on the other radio news sites that were not printed in the papers etc. changing my mind again.

I am so tired of being lied to by these people it is no wonder people do not want to vote. As with all the elections I have been able to vote in, I feel it is my right to vote as many countries do not allow regular citizen to have any votes.

One needs to be informed. I sure hope others have done their homework. What a flippin chore…..

PG101, your spouting that same idiotic drivel…I guess technically thousands of Canadian troops didn’t die specifically so we could have municipal elections.
What they died for was to protect our freedom and our way of life.
What they died for was to protect our right to choose who has governance over us!
They died for our right to have free and open elections…and I’m sorry PG101 that does include municipal elections!

What’s a “space engineer”? Good posts Socredible & Eagleone. I have followed this campaign quite closely & honestly, other than the usual platitudes, no one candidate has tackled the serious questions of out of control spending or has a real vision of how our city can flourish. Hold my nose & vote for two Mayorial candidates that in all probability will not rise above the norm? At least with council there are some fresh faces & youth that may provide the proverbial breath of fresh air.

detoe: “no one candidate has tackled the serious questions of out of control spending or has a real vision of how our city can flourish. Hold my nose & vote for two Mayorial candidates that in all probability will not rise above the norm?”

You hit the nail on the head. I too was disappointed with what was not talked about. Way too much time spent talking about PAC’s, population dreams, what kind of leader would you be, etc. and not enough about the basics and how each candidate will control City costs.

In the end, I don’t think it will matter much who gets the Mayor’s seat.

A”space engineer ” works in space. Ite self explanatory.
Cheers

I voted in the last PG municipal election and I, like many others, were blindsided by the incompetent, high maintenance GREEN. I would still like to know who paid her $80,000.00+ election expenses. Does anyone know?
I will vote again on Saturday with hopes that we elect a financially competent Council with the guts to stop the secrecy surrounding PG City Hall and get rid of some of the incompetent bureaucrats warming chairs at City Hall.

Its not hard to find out where the Mayor got the 80 thousnd bucks. Each candidate has to publish were their money came from or who the doners were.
cheers