|
Friday, October 10, 2008 |
|
|
|
Temp:
|
1°C
|
|
Feels like:
|
1°C
|
|
Humidity:
|
81%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Filling Kinsley's shoes |
|
|
|
Written by Editor Dave Paulson
|
|
Wednesday, 14 May 2008 |
Related Items
MAYOR COLIN KINSLEYDAN ROGERSDON ZUROWSKI
Most of the speculation centres on the two obvious potential candidates: Coun. Don Zurowski and former councillor Dan Rogers. Neither has committed but it would be a surprise if both didn't throw his hat in the ring.
They certainly have the credentials.
Rogers sat on council for 12 years before vacating his seat in 2005 to take a run at Kinsley, losing by only 642 votes out of almost 17,000 votes cast.
It was the first time Rogers didn't top the polls in his political career after finishing first in each of his bids for council beginning in 1993.
Zurowski's popularity with voters has been almost as impressive as Rogers'.
Zurowski joined city council in 1999 with a surprising second-place showing. He was runner-up to Rogers again in 2002, then easily topped the polls in '05 with Rogers switching to the mayoral race.
Both developed a solid, respected presence on council that was rewarded every three years at election time with broad-based support.
That's why a head-to-head showdown for the mayor's chair would be intriguing.
But chances are they would have company.
With no incumbent in the mix, it's possible there will be four, five or more people running for mayor.
The rumour mill has already churned out the names of a few potential mayoral candidates who have name recognition and proven leadership ability but no political experience -- and the latter is a big hurdle to overcome.
History has shown that Prince George voters don't elect mayors with no prior political seasoning. In fact, in the past 50-plus years only Harold Moffat didn't serve as a councillor/alderman before being elected mayor. But Moffat was no political neophyte, having apprenticed as a school trustee for 23 years before going to city hall in 1969.
That's something to keep in mind for anyone contemplating a run at the mayoralty.
Although there is a core of angry taxpayers who will vote for anyone not connected to this or any previous city council, those candidates have an uphill battle. Unless they're convinced they can win, a better option -- for the state of the city least -- would be for qualified newcomers to run for one of the eight seats on city council, where they would have a better chance of winning and showcasing their abilities.
But if potential candidates have their heart set on running for mayor, then do it. All candidates this fall -- from the mayoralty, to city council and school board -- deserve the public's respect and appreciation.
The spotlight is usually on the mayor's race but it will be far more pronounced this year.
Whomever wins will have the heady responsibility of leading the city through some challenging but exciting times. The next mayor will be at times praised and pilloried, celebrated and savaged. It comes with the territory.
A lot of on-the-job training is standard for any mayor, but like his or her predecessor, the next one should, through the years, also acquire the wisdom to know when to exit with grace.
 |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 08 October 2008 )
|
|
|
Who's Online
We have 174 guests and 8 members online
|
|
|
|
Subscribe to this comment's feed
