Pemberton resident Ted Craddock has confirmed he is a candidate
to be a village councillor in November.
Craddock, a retired real estate developer who has also served
on councils in Squamish and Fort Nelson, previously considered a run for
mayor’s job but now says he could have more influence as a councillor.
“I think I can offer something to the community,” he said.
“We’re in a period of potentially big development and I have a lot of experience
in development and real estate, and I can offer the town some experience with
my 15 years previously as an elected official.”
When asked why he’s not running for mayor, Craddock said he
wanted to see where a “strong voice could be heard the best.” The mayor’s
position, he said, is to act as spokesperson for council with only a single
vote on anything that comes to the table. He thinks he could get more done in
one of the four supporting roles.
“People have to remember that there’s five votes in the council,”
he said. “The mayor has one, the council has four and I think if we’re all
going in the right direction for the community, those votes are going to come
to a front and we’re going to get things done that are positive for the
community.”
If elected, Craddock hopes to pay close attention to
Pemberton’s Official Community Plan (OCP), a strategy that helps define how
development takes place within the village and surrounding areas.
As it stands, he thinks it needs some work.
“I’m hoping that, if elected, I can bring to the table a
motion, hopefully in the first month, to get us to take a look at the OCP,”
Craddock said. “My feeling has always been if you don’t have a plan, it’s kind
of like a puzzle without a picture. You’ve got a bunch of pieces but you’re
just putting them in without knowing where you’re going.”
His is the fourth official announcement about a run for
Pemberton council. Councillor David MacKenzie will be taking on Jordan Sturdy
for the mayor’s post, while councillors Jennie Helmer and Kirsten McLeod have
confirmed they will not be running again.
Councillor Mark Blundell, the longest-serving member of
council, has not yet decided whether he’ll run in November.
All prospective candidates have until Oct. 10 at 4 p.m. to
submit their papers for nominations. If there are fewer candidates than seats
the dealine for nominations will be extended to Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
Municipalities across the province go to the polls on Nov. 15 at 8 a.m. The new council will be sworn in Dec. 2 at 7 p.m.