Biased towards the incumbent?

[okanagansoftware]

I've always found civic elections to be very biased towards the incumbent. This is my first election since I've moved to Penticton and I assume it's the same here. I always tell people you don't have to vote for the maximum number of councilors, and don't choose someone just because you recognize the name. Only vote for those that you really know do a good job, and lets hope for a moderate amount of turnover to keep things fresh. I'd sure like to see some younger councilors with some fresh ideas in there.

Thoughts?

[Jamesie]

We have not had an incumbent mayor re-elected since 1993. But for council seats, yes. In a huge field where the vote inevitably gets splintered it is hard for newcomers without significant name-recognition to get in. The past three years have been pretty bad for the city and a number of councillors have made a lot of influential enemies they did not have before, but my bet still is that a good number of them will get back in.

[twobits]

My prediction......two new. One obviously for Albas and the other in AJ's chair.

[okanagansoftware]

I always found it frustrating in Calgary when incumbents were getting in without even campaigning. It's nice to see people a bit more engaged in civic politics here, a function of the small city I think. It is discouraging to have 19 candidates on the ballot though. I've always thought runoff elections would be a good (although expensive) alternative, so the number of candidates can get whittled down to a manageable number and people have a better idea which ones are legitimate.

[clouseau]

Given how many mayors Penticton has turfed in the past I don’t know if incumbency is all it is cracked up to be. In this town at least.

[brentan]

I think in a perfect world, would be nice to see a good mix of experience and youth. new blood / new ideas are always good aren't they? Something needs to be done in and for this city to go ahead! I dont know the answer, however would like to see some change on this current council.
Wouldnt hurt my feelings if a good number of incumbents loose thier seats!
Now the challenge for most is TO GET OUT AND VOTE. I always vote and incourage all to do the same, as well TELL YOUR FRIENDS, GEESH - EVEN OFFER RIDES IF THIS HELPS!
Looking forward to the results for sure!

[hoot]

Now the challenge for most is TO GET OUT AND VOTE. I always vote and incourage all to do the same, as well TELL YOUR FRIENDS, GEESH - EVEN OFFER RIDES IF THIS HELPS

Completely agree, and as with the prison debacle I will be 'ferrying" my elderly friends to the polls. They tell me they have a score to settle with the current council....As I would suspect four thousand other voters do.

[XT225]

Now the challenge for most is TO GET OUT AND VOTE. I always vote and incourage all to do the same, as well TELL YOUR FRIENDS, GEESH - EVEN OFFER RIDES IF THIS HELPS

Completely agree, and as with the prison debacle I will be 'ferrying" my elderly friends to the polls. They tell me they have a score to settle with the current council....As I would suspect four thousand other voters do.

The above two posts are GREAT. I couldn't agree more. Get those people out who were against the prison and turf the incumbents; at least a few of them. I was personally in favor of it, however it was apparent that Pearce and Ashton were not happy that 4000 plus people didnt agree with their agenda; they wanted it badly; almost to the point of not listening to the people. This will now bite them back...lol. Twobits and a couple others won's agree but thats democracy; lets hope that we have a major shakeup in council on November 19th. ps: I still haven't stopped laughing at the Jack-A-Bite who said that "now its time to get serious". Another one who will finish last in the polls due to his past record.

[brentan]

LMAO
Jack-A-Bite -
GOT MY VOTE LAST TIME, not so this time!
What is his legacy so far?
failed marina proposal, and poster boy for young stars tourney! as far as I can see it, he DIDNT bring the tourney here, yet is simply the POSTER CHILD for it~ Oh yes, almost forgot he was apart of the whole parking debacle in the downtown ! Was very happy he ran last election and seemed to have alot of promise! Did get my vote last time, no so much this time.
I seriously hope he is able to spend more time packaging up cds and rock clothes! Thanks Jack-A-Bite , but your time may just be up!!!!