Candidates count down to polls

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Published: November 18, 2011 1:00 AM
Vernon’s mayoralty candidates are unwilling to predict the outcome of Saturday’s election. Patrick Davies, Wayne Lippert and Rob Sawatzky are all in the final hunt for votes after a month of intense campaigning. “We won’t see a landslide. We will see people come out and vote for their favourites,” said Davies, who is pursuing elected office for the first time. “We won’t know what happens until the silent majority shows up at the polls.” Lippert says two terms as mayor doesn’t guarantee he will rise to the top again.  “I don’t take anything for granted. You always have to work hard to get the vote out. Every vote counts,” he said.  Sawatzky isn’t sure what direction electors will take Saturday. “You get out there and talk to people and they say they support you, but the other candidates have their supporters,” he said. This is Sawatzky’s first attempt at politics. “Campaigning has been more fun than I expected. People are receptive to my message and they do want change,” he said. There’s a time crunch leading up to the polls opening at 8 a.m. Saturday.  “People need to be reminded that voting time is coming up. The big responsibility is with voters — who do they want (as mayor)?” said Sawatzky. Lippert has attended forums and knocked on doors to get his message out. “You need to remind people what Vernon was like before I came in and what it’s like now,” he said. “We have ran tight budgets and we have a good relationship with the provincial government. The response we’re getting is good.” According to Davies, his main goal continues to be getting information out to residents. “I have been getting calls and e-mails from people I’ve never met and they are interested,” he said. “We’ve seen what needs to be changed (in Vernon) and you talk to people and they say the same thing.” Besides mayor, there are 15 candidates for the six councillor seats in Vernon. Polling stations will be open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday at the Vernon Recreation Complex, Ellison Elementary School and Vernon Secondary School.