A Vernon-Monashee candidate believes the election campaign is getting ugly. A window was smashed at the B.C. Conservative office on
31st Avenue during the early morning hours of Thursday and candidate
Scott Anderson believes the action was politically motivated. “When there’s a race as close as the one between the
NDP and the Conservatives in Vernon-Monashee, it’s not surprising that
we’re seen as a threat,” said Anderson. “It’s unfortunate that some people feel property damage is more effective than democracy.” When asked if he is suggesting the NDP is responsible,
Anderson said, “Do I think their campaign broke the window, no. All of
our signs are gone in Lumby but the NDP signs are up, and our window is
smashed.” Anderson doubts the broken window is a case of vandalism. “Is it random that they pick only one window to break, no. They hit our store because we are the B.C. Conservatives,” he said. Anderson says he has been frustrated by signs being destroyed or removed in Lumby and Cherryville. “I am not accusing Mark (Olsen) or his campaign of orchestrating this. It’s someone who likes the NDP better than they like
us,” he said, adding that the RCMP have a person of interest in the
sign removal. Mark Olsen, NDP candidate, says he is troubled that someone broke Anderson’s window. “Our campaign is about positive action,” he said, adding that he has also had signs knocked down in Lumby. “It’s unfortunate that Mr. Anderson feels persecuted. Every campaign goes through vandalism. Kids knock signs over.” Olsen says his campaign team has been careful to get its message across while not curtailing others from doing the same. “We have directed volunteers to be honourable and to not interfere with the placement of the other candidates’ signs,” he said.
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