Byelection to cost Ashton $27,000

THURSDAY, 10 OCTOBER 2013 02:00 JOHN MOORHOUSE Penticton Herald
Penticton MLA Dan Ashton is sticking to his pledge to pay the costs of last month's civic byelection  a bill which will top $27,000. Dana Schmidt, the city's chief election officer, told Penticton council this week the byelection costs to date total $27,700. "This is for labour, radio and newspaper ads, signage, facility rental etc.," she said. "We are still waiting for some invoices. "Ashton, who resigned as mayor after winning the Penticton riding in May's provincial election, had promised to personally pay the byelection costs up to a maximum of $35,000. Ashton said in a telephone interview that he fully intends to honour that pledge. However, he declined detailed comment until he is able to appear before council to present a cheque, possibly at the Oct. 21 council meeting. "I've never had the opportunity to say good-bye," he added. "I'd prefer to say something at that point." Although some complaints were received about voting being held only at the Seniors Drop-In Centre on South Main Street, only eight people utilized the special election day shuttle bus to the polls from downtown. Cost of the all-day shuttle was $1,000. The byelection saw Garry Litke elected as mayor to succeed Ashton, while Katie Robinson takes over Litke's former councillor position. A total of 3,752 ballots were cast for a voter turnout of 14.5 per cent.

NDP ran most expensive campaign in Vernon-Monashee

By Charlotte Helston INFO-TEL Multimedia August 20, 2013 - 3:36 PM 
VERNON - Thanks to mandatory financial reporting, we now know how much candidates spent on their campaigns in the May election. In Vernon-Monashee, NDP candidate Mark Olsen ran the most expensive campaign by about $3,000.  Olsen, who came in second with 34 per cent of votes, spent a total of  $74,815 throughout the course of his campaign, including the two months before the official kick-off. The largest chunk of change ($28,955) was spent on salaries and benefits, while almost $9,000 was spent on media advertising and $5,000 on signs and brochures. Olsen himself contributed over $5,000 of his own money to the campaign. Olsen's campaign in Vernon was somewhat high compared to other NDP campaigns in the area, suggesting they believed it was a winnable riding. Compare with the $36,495 spent by Shuswap candidate Steve Gunner, or the $24,500 spent by Tish Lakes in Kelowna-Mission. It was more in the league of NDP candidates in Kamloops, where Kathy Kendall spent $76,789 and Tom Friedman spent $85,503. Liberal MLA Eric Foster, who won the riding with 46 per cent of the votes, spent a bit less than Olsen, with $72,006. Foster spent more on media advertising, research and polling than Olsen. He also spent considerably less on salaries and benefits than his NDP adversary, shelling out just $3,422. The two candidates also spent vastly different amounts on social functions and thank-you parties. Olsen spent $500 in this area, while Foster spent $2,708.

2013 Provincial Election Financial Reports - Vernon Monahee

http://contributions.electionsbc.gov.bc.ca/pcs/FRSearch.aspx?PFN=&PK=0&P=%28ALL%29&FTK=0&FT=%28ALL%29&FNK=0&FN=%28ALL%29&EV=2013+General+Election&ED=%28ALL%29

Total Expenditures:
Eric Foster   $72,006.97  (p.4)
Scott Anderson  $4,901.46 (P.3)
Korry Zepik    $947.65 (P.2)
Revecca Helps  $15.00  (P.2)
Mark Olsen  $74,815.00 (P.4)

ANDERSON, SCOTT	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CANDIDATE	BC CONSERVATIVE PARTY
FOSTER, ERIC BAILEY	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CANDIDATE	BC LIBERAL PARTY
HELPS, REBECCA	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CANDIDATE	GREEN PARTY OF BC
OLSEN, MARK STEVEN	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CANDIDATE	BC NDP
VERNON-MONASHEE CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION BC NDP	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION	BC NDP
VERNON-MONASHEE CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION BRITISH COLUMBIA CONSERVATIVE PARTY	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CONSTITUENCY ASSOCIATION	BC CONSERVATIVE PARTY
ZEPIK, KORRY	2013 GENERAL ELECTION FINANCING REPORT	CANDIDATE	INDEPENDENT

Two Okanagan MLAs appointed Whip roles

 Jun 11, 2013 - 1:59 PM Info-Tel Multimedia

B.C. Liberal Party Whip

B.C. Liberal MLAs were sworn-in today at the provincial legislature with two Okanagan members to fill officer positions.  Returning Vernon-Monashee MLA Eric Foster was re-appointed as Government Whip while the rookie representing Boundary-Similkameen, Linda Larson, will serve as Deputy Whip. "I'm delighted to be given the confidence of Premier Christy Clark and continue to serve as government Whip," Foster said in a press release. "With the election behind us, it's now time to get on with what our party has been mandated by British Columbians to do, and that is govern. We're wasting no time and I look forward to the upcoming summer session." Larson said she was honoured to be chosen as Deputy Whip and serve "on a great team of returning veterans and new faces". "This election proved that votes cannot be taken for granted," Larson said. "Although we've been given a mandate as a majority government, I'm going to help make sure our B.C. Liberal MLAs are there in numbers to represent their constituents in Victoria." Whips are appointed to help organize their caucus' parliamentary business. They are responsible for making sure members vote and participate in legislative business including debates, motions and committee work. The Caucus Chair position will be filled by Michelle Stilwell, MLA for Parksville-Qualicum.
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Annual Basic Compensation
Effective April 1, 2009, the annual basic compensation per member is $101,859.00.
Note: The members’ basic compensation is to be increased April 1 of each year by the percentage increase of the BC consumer price index, if any, for the 12-month period ending on December 31 of the previous year, in accordance with subsection 2(2) of the Members’ Remuneration and Pensions Act. Legislative amendments introduced since the Spring of 2010 call for no adjustments to be made to basic compensation with respect to fiscal years commencing on April 1, 2010, April 1, 2011, April 1, 2012 and April 1, 2013.
MLAs who hold parliamentary or ministerial office receive an additional salary that corresponds to a percentage of the basic compensation.
Effective April 1, 2009, the annual basic compensation per member is $101,859.00

B.C. Premier Christy Clark unveils her new cabinet

 http://www2.news.gov.bc.ca/news_releases_2009-2013/2013PREM0063-000941.htm

Premier Christy Clark identified the following MLAs-elect to be sworn on June 10, 2013, as British Columbia’s next provincial executive council, and spoke about their primary areas of focus in their new duties. On Monday, full mandate letters will be issued to ministers.

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Local Appointments:

Dan Ashton – Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister Responsible for Core Review.
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  CBC News Posted: Jun 7, 2013 6:01 AM PT
B.C. Premier Christy Clark unveiled her 19 cabinet ministers this afternoon in front of a crowd of hundreds of supporters at the Vancouver Convention Centre. The appointments were:

• Deputy Premier and Minister for Natural Gas Development, and Minister Responsible for Housing Rich Coleman.
• Finance Minister and House Leader Mike de Jong.
• Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Minister Steve Thomson.
• Health Minister Terry Lake.
• Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister John Rustad.
• Education Minister Peter Fassbender.
• Advanced Education Minister Amrik Virk.
• Transportation and Infrastructure Minister and Deputy House Leader Todd Stone.
• Social Development and Social Innovation Minister Don McRae.
• Technology, Innovation and Citizens' Services Minister Andrew Wilkinson.
• Children and Family Development Minister Stephanie Cadieux.
• Energy and Mines Minister and Minister Responsible for Core Review Bill Bennett.
• Community Sport and Cultural Development Minister Coralee Oakes.
• International Trade and Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism Minister Teresa Wat.
• Justice Minister and Attorney General Suzanne Anton.
• Jobs, Tourism, and Skills Training Minister and Minister Responsible for Labour Shirley Bond.
• Environment Minister Mary Polak.
• Agriculture Minister Pat Pimm.
• Small Business and Tourism Minister Naomi Yamamoto.

 

Written by Peter McIntyre  107.5 KISSFM Thursday, 06 June 2013 16:33

Will Christy Elevate Local MLA's to Cabinet???

  Vernon's MLA says he'll find out Friday -- like everyone else -- what the new Liberal government's cabinet looks like. Eric Foster is starting his second term as an MLA and feels he's ready for a new challenge such as a cabinet post, if Premier Clark chooses him. "Of course it would be nice to have a bigger role. I certainly enjoyed my job as the whip. You're really part of everything that is going on," Foster tells Kiss FM. Foster says he's had a so-called 'fireside chat' with the premier, but he has no idea what his role will be. "She's got a lot of tough choices to make, but I don't know. This is the best kept secret that's ever been in this building (legislature) because nobody knows." As the whip since last fall, Foster has been in charge of keeping the discipline within government and is a member of the inner caucus. He says geography enters into which MLA's are chosen for cabinet, and other factors"People's backgrounds and expertise. It's going to be very interesting on Friday to see how it all unfolds." Canadian Press says the premier's new cabinet will include a new natural gas ministry and a team of ministers focused on growing BC's economy and reducing government costs. Liberal insiders are suggesting Clark's cabinet, which will be announced at 2pm, could include up to three newly elected MLAs and see several current ministers dropped from the front bench. The election defeats of two current cabinet ministers and the retirement of another leaves openings in the health, jobs, and aboriginal relations ministries.

Clark expected to seek seat in Kelowna in by-election

Justine Hunter  Victoria — The Globe and Mail  Pub. Wednesday, Jun. 05 2013, 3:14 PM EDT 
Premier Christy Clark is expected to announce shortly that she will be seeking a seat in the B.C. legislature in the riding of Westside-Kelowna, which was captured by B.C. Liberal MLA Ben Stewart in the May 14 election. The by-election call is likely to be announced at a news conference with Ms. Clark and Mr. Stewart at his Quail’s Gate Winery on Wednesday afternoon. Mr. Stewart won re-election by a very comfortable margin, with more than 58 per cent of the vote, making it a safe seat for Ms. Clark to contest. The Kelowna riding is also symbolic for Ms. Clark – it was the stronghold of Social Credit premiers Bill and W.A.C. Bennett. The premier invoked the Bennett name frequently during the campaign, comparing their economy-building efforts to her plans to develop a liquefied natural gas industry.

B.C. MLA Pension Payouts Top $26 Million

VANCOUVER, B.C.: The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) has calculated the pensions of all MLAs who did not win or seek re-election last night. The total payout could top $26 million. MLAs are eligible for pensions after six years of service. Pensions increase by the rate of inflation every year, and can be collected at age 65. The CTF’s lifetime estimate figures assume the individual lives to age 80. Taxpayers put in $4 for every $1 a politician pays into their pension account. “The MLA pension payout ATM is spitting out cash at a rate taxpayers can only dream of,” said Jordan Bateman, CTF B.C. Director. “A dozen former MLAs will soon join the million dollar pension club – while most of us are scraping together every nickel we can find for our own retirements.” These numbers assume MLAs "bought back" missing time from 1996 to 2007, when there was a far more modest pension system in place. The list of MLAs who bought back has been kept secret, but the CTF have yet to hear from any of the retirees that they didn't buy back that missing time. Exiting MLAs also receive up to 15 months of severance at the $101,859 MLA annual salary—which includes a top-up if the politician takes a job at less than six figures. They are also eligible for up to $9,000 in “training” funds.

The full list of MLAs receiving pensions:

Excerpts:

Ida Chong (Oak Bay-Gordon Head; 17 years): $89,405 year 1; $1.55 million lifetime
George Abbott (Shuswap; 17 years): $89,084 year 1; $1.54 million lifetime
 Bill Barisoff (Penticton; 17 years): $90,992 year 1; $1.57 million lifetime
Colin Hansen (Vancouver-Quilchena; 17 years): $89,039 year 1; $1.54 million lifetime
Kevin Falcon (Surrey-Cloverdale; 12 years): $62,893 year 1; $1.09 million lifetime
Blair Lekstrom (Peace River South; 12 years): $59,912 year 1; $1.04 million lifetime
John Les (Chilliwack; 12 years): $48,289 year 1; $835,000 lifetime
Harry Lali (Fraser-Nicola; 14 years): $63,886 year 1; $1.1 million lifetime
John van Dongen (Abbotsford-South; 18 years): $85,591 year 1; $1.48 million lifetime

Byelections expected in several B.C. municipalities

CBC News Posted: May 16, 2013 8:01 AM PT
It's not clear where Premier Christy Clark, who lost her seat in the provincial election, will choose to run in a byelection — but it won't be the only municipal election taking place in the near future. Ten municipal politicians have been elected to the legislature and some will be giving up their city hall positions to become MLAs, which will trigger byelections. Jordan Bateman with the Canadian Taxpayers Federation says communities including Pemberton, Abbotsford and Oliver will have to foot the bill. "We have a very expensive summer in B.C. for property tax payers," he said. "Maybe there should be a commitment from some of these candidates to defray the costs." Penticton mayor and now-Liberal MLA Dan Ashton has offered to cover the cost of a byelection up to $35,000. Langley Mayor Peter Fassbender, who won in Surrey–Fleetwood, is giving up his municipal seat but won't be covering byelection costs. "I don't think he [Ashton] has done any favours for the rest of us by doing that. People say, 'You should do that same thing,'" Fassbender said. "The people of my city know I don't do this lightly, I'm not climbing any ladder, I don't need another line on my resume. I did this because I think I can make a positive contribution."

Byelection ridings

• Abbotsford–Mission.
• Boundary–Similkameen.
• Delta North.
• Fraser–Nicola.
• Peace River South.
• Penticton.
• Port Moody–Coquitlam.
• Surrey–Fleetwood.
• Surrey–Panorama.
• West Vancouver–Sea to Sky.

They Have High Hopes

Just what makes that little old ant
Think he'll move that rubber tree plant
Anyone knows an ant, cant
Move a rubber tree plant

But he's got high hopes, he's got high hopes
Hes got high apple pie, in the sky hopes

So any time your gettin low
Stead of lettin go
Just remember that ant
Oops there goes another rubber tree plant

Vernon-Monashee MLA stands behind Clark

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Updated: May 15, 2013 9:18 AM
Christy Clark's leadership of the Liberal Party is in question after losing her Vancouver seat Tuesday.
However, Eric Foster, who was re-elected as Vernon-Monashee MLA, stands by Clark and wants her to remain as premier.  "We owe a greater part of our success to her efforts," he said of the Liberals' majority win. "She worked hard across the province. I don't believe she should resign." An option is for someone who won a seat Tuesday to step aside so Clark can run in a by-election to possibly get a seat in the Legislature. "It will be her call and the party's call," said Foster. When asked if he would be willing to vacate his seat for Clark, Foster said, "I don't think I will be asked. It would be somewhere in Vancouver if that happens."
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Will Christy Elevate Local MLA's to Cabinet ???

22 Pension Bubble Boys Win

B.C. MLA's are eligible to collect a pension after they have served 6 years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of B.C.  There are 22 members that were first elected in 2009 that will be eligible if they get RE-ELECTED and serve out their term to qualify for there 6 years. There are 2 MLA's elected in 2012 that may also qualify by 2017 if they are RE-ELECTED.

The Liberal Part has the majority of the 24 with 14 bubble-boys, while there are 9 NDP and 1 Independent.

It appears that all 22 members elected in 2009 were reelected and will be eligible for pensions when they have served 6 years.

The 2012 elected (In by-elections) candidates were both defeated in this election and will not be collecting any more years towards their pension eligibility at this time. Retiring or defeated MLAs can earn their regular MLA salary – $102,000 per year – for anywhere from four to 15 months after leaving office until they find work. They can also be reimbursed for up to $9,000 for job training.

Riding by Riding Results: http://electionsbcenr.blob.core.windows.net/electionsbcenr/GE-2013-05-14_Candidate.html

Loser pensions will cost us $26M 
According to figures released Wednesday by the Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Tuesday's BC election will cost taxpayers more than $26M in MLA pensions. Those payouts are for MLA's, with six years of service or more, who either chose not to run for re-election or were defeated Tuesday.
MLAs are eligible for pensions after six years of service. Pensions increase by the rate of inflation every year, and can be collected at age 65.

Another four years for Liberal MLA in Vernon-Monashee

May 14, 2013 - 11:38 PM Charlotte Helston Info-Tel Multimedia

"With no ifs, ands or butts, we kicked butt."  While official numbers are yet to be released, it's pretty clear Liberal Eric Foster has been re-elected in Vernon-Monashee. So far, out of 138 ballot boxes reported, Foster carried 6,513 votes, 46.1 per cent. NDP Mark Olsen, with 33.46 per cent of votes was followed by Conservative Scott Anderson with 12.04 per cent. Rebecca Helps with the Green Party took 1,383 votes, 7.01 per cent and independent Korry Zepik earned 130 votes, 0.66 per cent. Voters in the Shuswap riding, elected Liberal Greg Kyllo. Foster spoke to reporters about his win at the Schubert Center, surrounded by a crowd of supporters, all eager to shake his hand or give him a congratulatory hug. "It speaks to the hard work we've done in this riding," he says. "I can't wait to get back to Victoria, we've got a bunch of work to get done." Numbers suggest Foster increased his support since the 2009 election. "It's because the premier was here, she said I was going to win by more than last time, and I guess she's never wrong," Foster says. He says he's not surprised by what happened locally or provincially. "The voters chose, and they chose to manage our money," he says. Asked if he was ever concerned about the Conservatives gaining a foothold, Foster said of course he was. "If you're not concerned about absolutely everything, you will get beat. The Conservatives didn't turn out to be much of a threat."

NDP candidate Mark Olsen, and Conservative Scott Anderson both made brief visits to congratulate Foster. Anderson said he was "obviously disappointed" but felt he ran a good campaign. "We fought a good battle, we couldn't have done better than we did. We doubled our percentage from the last time we ran here," he said. He said the public came to fear the NDP which is what swept the power over to the Liberals. "We intend to run again next time. This is a battle, not the war," Anderson said. Anderson expects to run again in the next election, and until then he says the Liberals will "have somebody looking over their shoulder." Olsen is surprised, disappointed, yet still very proud of his campaign and the team that ran it. "The people have chosen and we have to live with that. I want to congratulate Eric and the other candidates. I want to thank my campaign team. I'm a winner just knowing them," Olsen said. He says it's still soon for him to analyze what happened—why the NDP drooped when the polls had put them ahead. "You have to wonder where our polls are basing their numbers," he said. On both a local and provincial level, Olsen is surprised the NDP didn't do better. "I don't think anybody saw it coming. I thought it would be a closer race, and I'm surprised by the outcome. We worked hard to get our message out, but (the Liberals) were more successful," he said. He says his goal was to run an honourable campaign, which he believes he succeeded in. "It is what it is," he said. This was Olsen's second time running, and he says he'll have to pause and "re-evaluate some things" before making a decision to run again.
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Conservative claims political motivation in broken window

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star Updated: May 09, 2013 1:03 PM

 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.

Tory Leader Would Give Meat Licences

Written by Peter McIntyre Wednesday, 08 May 2013 10:40 
 Tory leader John Cummins made a stop in Vernon today to announce a plan to cut red tape for North Okanagan livestock producers. He says a tory government  would immediately issue up to 12 hundred class C licences for farm gate sales, allowing residents to purchase poultry and meat from local producers. He says "It's time to make life easier, not harder for small business, and we can't treat livestock producers like criminals."  Cummins doesn't have safety concerns about allowing more farm gate sales.  The B.C. Agriculture ministry recently announced it would issue 5 class C licences in a pilot project producers say isn't enough

Candidates Take Questions On Kiss FM

Written by 107.5 Kiss FM Tuesday, 07 May 2013 06:00 The Vernon Monashee election candidates will be on Kiss FM for an open line forum tonight. New Director Pete McIntyre will take questions to the candidates from 6 to 7:15 pm. The number to call is 250 545 7557. Scott Anderson of the BC Conservatives, Eric Foster of the Liberals, and Mark Olsen of the New Democrats will be in studio, while Rebecca Helps of the Green Party and independent Kory Zepik will provide profiles. It's the last election forum locally. Advance voting for the election starts tomorrow, running for three days, while general voting day is a week from today.

Vernon-Monashee hot dog poll places Olsen on top

New Recount "Weiner" (sic)

By Staff Writer - Vernon Morning Star Updated: May 06, 2013 6:32 AM

It won't be known until election day if the hot dog poll results cut the mustard. The NDP's Mark Olsen topped the Special Olympics' Hot Dogging with the Candidates event, with 226 hot dogs purchased May 3 and 4. That was followed by Liberal Eric Foster at 193, Conservative Scott Anderson at 117, Green Rebecca Helps at 27 and independent Korry Zepic at 15. There were 66 hot dogs purchased in the none of them category. "We had an extremely busy and productive two days preparing, cooking and selling hot dogs," said John Topping, event organizer, who will wait to see if hot dog poll reflexes what happens during the May 14 election. "With it (poll) juggling from one candidate leading to another, we finally ended up with a second place winner.  An NDP supporter purchased a last-minute close of business order to jump into the lead for the final time." During the fundraiser, which raised $2,337 at Vernon's Home Building Centre, residents could cast a ballot for their favourite Vernon-Monashee candidate by purchasing a hot dog and beverage for $3.50.And unlike the provincial election, they could vote more than once. "Thanks to everyone who purchased hot dogs and donated money for the needs of Vernon Special Olympic athletes," said Topping.
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Don Quixote Note: At 5:00 Last night (Saturday) Castanet had different results at Hot dogs predict top dawg .

Photo: Melissa Ligertwood

  Appears the last-minute close of business order increased the NDP winner from 124 to 226. (102 x 3.50 = $357.00). Looks like the saying' vote early and vote often' carried the day.

'The Weiner (sic) and still Champ'

This was a great way of showing the support of all who participated for the Vernon Special Olympic athletes.

Forecasting the 2013 Provincial Election - 3 Different Forecasters

http://election.thetyee.ca/ridings

http://www.electionprediction.org/2013_bc/index.php

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/elections/prediction-markets/

Pension Bubble Boys 2013 Provincial election.

B.C. MLA's are eligible to collect a pension after they have served 6 years as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of B.C.  There are 22 members that were first elected in 2009 that will be eligible if they get RE-ELECTED and serve out their term to qualify for there 6 years. There are 2 MLA's elected in 2012 that may also qualify by 2017 if they are RE-ELECTED.

The Liberal Part has the majority of the 24 with 14 bubble-boys, while there are 9 NDP and 1 Independent.

Retiring or defeated MLAs can earn their regular MLA salary – $102,000 per year – for anywhere from four to 15 months after leaving office until they find work. They can also be reimbursed for up to $9,000 for job training.

Hot dogs predict top dawg

by Melissa Ligertwood - Castanet May 5, 2013 / 5:00 am

Photo: Melissa Ligertwood

'The Weiner (sic) and still Champ'

If you don't believe in Ipsos-Reid, perhaps you believe in hot dogs. John Topping and the Vernon chapter of BC Special Olympics are banking on it. Topping's group has become known for the "hot dog poll," a Special Olympics fundraiser geared towards major election campaigns in the Vernon area. On Friday and Saturday at Home Building Centre in Vernon, customers could purchase a hot dog and cast a "vote" for their favourite Vernon-Monashee candidate in the upcoming provincial election. "The results are [usually] very similar to the final results, but it does create a lot of fun and our hot dog sales really blossom." says Topping, who is the Director of Marketing for Special Olympics Vernon.  Topping says the group has been running the fundraiser during major elections in the area for the last 15 years. Although he agreed it's a great idea, he didn't want to take full credit, saying they got the idea when they saw another group doing something similar. "They have it throughout Canada, different areas. We're kind of like copycats. We thought hey, this is a good thing," said Topping. By end of sales on Saturday afternoon, the Eric-dog was the winner with 192. The Mark-dog sold 124, Scott-dog at 116, Rebecca-dog at 27, and the Korry-dog at 13. An additional 66 people were undecided, opting for the "Hound-dog." All proceeds go towards BC Special Olympics programs in the Greater Vernon area.