Voice New Westminster is wishing James Crosty well but won't be officially supporting his campaign to become the city's next mayor.
Neil Powell, president of Voice New Westminster, said the civic electors slate isn't endorsing a mayoral candidate in the 2011 election.
"We wish James well in his campaign," Powell said. "We are doing separate campaigns."
Powell said Crosty has a history with Voice New Westminster and will likely be supported by some members of the group.
"Mayoral campaigns are big and expensive," he said, "especially when you are going up against an incumbent who has a lot of money left from the last election."
Incumbent Mayor Wayne Wright received $58,850 in contributions for his 2008 campaign and spent $49,249, leaving him with a balance just shy of $10,000.
Crosty said he's proud of the work that Voice New Westminster has done to bring a lot of issues to the forefront, particularly around the city's "premature" decision to purchase a waterfront site for Westminster Pier Park. Crosty said he has worked in the background on behalf of Voice in the past.
"I left Voice at the end of last year," he said. "I am not a member of Voice. I was helping on the board."
Crosty said that the "opposition" was very successful in portraying Voice as a negative group because it was pointing out flaws at city council and school board.
"I have too much of a broad appeal to run on a slate," he said. "I don't have a narrow focus. I really want to be a mayor of the people."
Crosty said he'd like to see some changes to the makeup of New Westminster city council but said he's willing to work with anyone if he's elected.
"I think change is good," he said. "I think we do need some change. I don't think we throw the baby out with the bathwater. A good mayor can work with them all."
