By Raven Nyman
All-Candidates’ Forum Oct. 4
Previously in “The Rundown”, I reported this year’s four mayoral candidates as well as the eight residents who are running for a position on Village council: Sandra Burrage, Kim McIlravey, Laura Paquette, Theodore (Ted) Pappas, David Park, Christine Rivett, Cynthia Robinson, and David Tapping. Four Clinton residents are in the running as 2018 candidates for the office of mayor: Diana Guerin, Roland Stanke, Susan Swan, and Ira Zbarsky.
A reminder to all residents that your vote matters in the municipal election ahead. If you do not vote, how can your voice be heard?
It is important to remember, too, that municipal elections provide citizens with an opportunity to express their concerns and, hopefully, find them represented effectively by one of the candidates.
Although there are many familiar names on the roster for this year’s election, I must remind everyone that elections are not popularity contests. Please do not vote because a candidate is your best friend.
Vote for the person you feel will do the best job representing your concerns within the community. If that person happens to be your neighbour or friend, well, what a wonderful coincidence!
The opportunity for residents to learn more about each of the 12 candidates is coming up. At the All-Candidates’ Forum today (Oct. 4), citizens are invited to meet the candidates running for mayor and councillors and learn more about what they intend to do for the Village.
Come out, get informed, and ask questions. The event will take place at the Clinton Memorial Hall beginning at 6 p.m.
General voting will be open to qualified electors of the Village of Clinton on Oct. 20 from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. at the Clinton Memorial Hall.
Advance voting will also be available to qualified electors on Oct. 10 between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. at the Village of Clinton’s Municipal Office, 1423 Cariboo Highway.
Please note that the regular council meeting of Oct. 10 has been moved to Oct. 9 due to the advanced voting opportunity.
There is no need to pre-register to vote as the registration of all electors for this election will take place at the time of voting.
When voting, voters will be required to make a declaration indicating they meet the following requirements: are 18 years or older on general voting day; are a Canadian citizen and resident of B.C. and have been for at least six months immediately preceding the day of registration; are a resident of or a registered owner of real property in the Village of Clinton for at least 30 days immediately preceding the day of registration; and are not disqualified under the Local Government Act or any other enactment from voting in an election or otherwise disqualified by law.
Resident electors must produce two pieces of identification, but picture identification is not necessary provided one piece of identification includes the voter’s signature. The identification must prove both residency and identity.
Non-resident property electors must also produce two pieces of identification — at least one with a signature — to prove their identity and must also prove that they are entitled to register in relation to the property, and, if there is more than one owner of the property, must produce written consent from the majority of the property owners.
Council highlights
The Village of Clinton Council met in Council Chambers for a regular meeting on Sept. 26.
Corporal Chris von Colditz of the Clinton RCMP presented his quarterly report.
In his report, Cpl. von Colditz noted the RCMP will continue to focus on traffic enforcement in the Village.
However, he also advised only two residents have volunteered for the Speed Watch program so far, which suggests there is not enough support within the community to see this initiative succeed.
He also reminded residents his door is always open for coffee or questions.
UBCM Reports
A full three-page Union of British Columbia Municipalities (UBCM) report from Mayor Jim Rivett is available for public access on the Village of Clinton’s website at through the Sept. 26 agenda.
Similarly detailed reports are also available online from each Village councillor.
The reports recap Mayor and Council’s UBCM visit from Sept.10 to 14, noting their meetings with the Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, Municipal Affairs staff, the Municipal Insurance Association, the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing, and more.
Interested parties are invited to review these reports online, as there is plenty of useful information therein.
“We spend $10,000 to be there each year, so it’s important to understand why we go,” said Rivett.
He explained that the real “bang for our buck” comes from the opportunities that the mayor and councillors get to interact with figures such as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing.
A reminder to all interested citizens that council meeting agendas are always posted in advance for your use on the Village website.
This provides residents with the opportunity to read over the agenda before the meeting takes place, and to determine whether they would like to attend, inquire further, or perhaps request that items be added to the agenda for review.
To access last week’s agenda and minutes, visit https://village.clinton.bc.ca/.
Do you have Clinton news? Contact Raven Nyman at ravenbrookn@hotmail.com.
editorial@accjournal.ca
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter