Who's running in Vernon

Who's running in Vernon by Carmen Weld CASTANET Jul 15, 2014 / 5:00 am

BC's Mayors and Councillors still have a few months to decide whether they will throw their hat back in the ring for the fall municipal election. In Vernon, Mayor Rob Sawatzky has kept quiet as to whether he will run again noting the four-year-term and the commitment may be too much to do another time. Only Councillors Lord and O’Keefe have committed to running for council again with an indication from O’Keefe she may actually go for the Mayor’s seat. We know there will definitely be at least one new face on council as the now empty seat of passed Councillor Patrick Nicol will be filled. With that in mind and the election only four months away we went to the current Vernon Mayor and Council to ask their intentions for the next election.

The following are their replies:
Mayor Rob Sawatzky: What I have said is that I will discuss my future with my family sometime later in July and make an announcement when we come to a decision.
Councillor Catherine Lord: A short answer to your question is yes, I will run for council again.
Councillor Mary-Jo OKeefe: I am running for council next fall for sure – the question that I haven’t answered yet is whether I will run for Mayor – currently I am considering my options.
Councillor Juliette Cunningham: It is a question I am asked everyday. As I have been busy with Council, Regional District and GVAC I have to admit I don't spend much time thinking about November. I will take some quieter time to reflect with my family this summer about running for a four-year-term.
Councillor Bob Spiers: I have not decided if I will seek a four-year-term. I will probably decide in September.
Councillor Brian Quiring: Still unsure.

Election day is Nov 15, 2014 and all those running for seats will be seeking a four-year-term as opposed to the previous three year mandates.