I appreciate the article written by Albert Koehler regarding what potential candidates for city council should consider.
One point I would like to add is that they should all realize that, if elected, your whole family is elected.
In my time as a councillor (1983-2005), that was not much of an issue as the public were generally polite even when they disagreed with me. However, today is the reverse.
In this age of rampant social media, anything seems to go and public officers and their families are the target of abuse and ill-advised criticism. The result of this is that the successful candidate must be aware that his partner and children, if they exist, may well be the target of at least verbal abuse because of disagreement with his/her votes or opinions.
It's a much nastier world in modern local politics and candidates should know this.
I hope this doesn't prevent good people from running but they should do it with their eyes wide open.
Cliff Dezell
Freeman of the City of Prince George
Victoria
