With Shari Green's announcement Thursday that she will not be seeking a second term as mayor during the municipal elections this November, there will soon be a new occupant in the mayor's chair.
Here's a list of some names that could be a good fit to lead the city:
Lyn Hall - the top vote-getter for city council in the 2011 election, the one-term councillor is the first name that comes up whenever local politics watchers talk about the next mayor. He topped the polls in 2011, despite serving as school board chair during the last wave of school closures. He weathered that storm and earned the respect of many with his steady hand. Chances he'll run: likely.
Garth Frizzell - the popular two-term councillor has worked hard, not just on council, but also with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. His new gig at UNBC, however, could hamper a mayoral campaign. Chances he'll run: maybe
Murry Krause - the longest-serving city councillor is widely seen as the social conscience of city council. He's well-liked and respected, even by the right of centre folks who share little in common with him politically. Chances he'll run: you never know.
Brian Skakun - the spoon in the city council stew, nobody can stir the pot like Skakun. He's made a career out of appealing to the average joe. Adored in some corners and despised in others, he's increasingly a divisive figure on council and in the community. Still, after four terms on council, he knows his way around city hall. Chances he'll run: expect the unexpected.
Cameron Stolz - cut from the same political cloth as Green, Stolz has made no secret of his political ambitions, having run for the Conservative nomination in Prince George-Peace River before the last federal election. Not paying his property taxes for three consecutive years hangs over his head but he says he'll let the voters decide in November when he seeks another term on council. Chances he'll run: definitely but not for mayor.
Albert Kohler, Dave Wilbur and Frank Everitt - the names of the last three current city councillors don't come up in conversation about who the next mayor might be but that won't stop them from each seeking reelection to city council this fall.
As for folks currently not on city council who could angle their way into the major's chair, here are a few names. Keep in mind no one has won election for mayor without having first served on council in the city's history:
Pat Bell - longtime Liberal MLA and cabinet minister who stepped down last spring for health reasons, being the mayor would be a walk in the park compared to his previous political work. He's currently working for Conifex and developing a northern winery with his son Doug. Chances he'll run: having too much fun back in the private sector.
Don Zurowski - the former city councillor lost to Dan Roger's in 2011 but his name keeps coming up as someone needed back on council. Chances he'll run: Not out of the question.
Bobby Deepak - the lawyer and labour activist impressed many with his run as the NDP candidate in Bell's old riding against Liberal Mike Morris in last year's provincial election. Chances he'll run: Not out of the question.
Greg Pocock - the managing partner of the new ownership group of the Prince George Cougars, he's a homemade success story and is immensely popular for buying the team. Chances he'll run: he'd rather block Zdeno Chara slapshots.
There are many more-than-able women in prominent leadership roles across Prince George that could take a crack at mayor. A few of them are rumoured to be eying runs for city council, however, rather than the mayor's seat.
But this is a list of who could step in and do the job, so how about Judy Russell? The performing arts centre needs a champion if it's ever going to get to the approval stage and she could lead that charge. She's run a successful small business, knows how to get things done and isn't shy about sharing her opinions.
That being said, politics doesn't seem her bag but the point of bringing her name and Greg Pocock's name up was to show that Prince George is blessed with many talented individuals among us, besides the ones already on city council, who could do Prince George a great service if they were to inhabit the mayor's office for the next four years.
We should be looking for the best and brightest among us and be encouraging them to run.
