Dear Editor:
Re: Candidate profiles on the Royal City Record website.
First I must acknowledge that I am running as an independent candidate for council in the upcoming municipal election.
In response to the question: Party? In my naïveté, as a first-time candidate, I filled in "n/a" as there are no civic political parties in New Westminster. Judging from the numbers of calls and questions I have received about myself and inquiring about other candidates, I now realize that what the public expects in response to that question is whether or not you are endorsed by any particular association and/or part of a slate. I should have answered: "independent."
Jonathan Cote's print literature and website both include a photo of his team (slate) which includes: Cote, Jaimie McEvoy, Bill Harper, Lorrie Williams, Mary Trentadue, Chuck Puchmayr, and Patrick Johnstone - all of which are obviously working very closely together and are endorsed by the same interests (i.e. New Westminster and District Labour Council). From the calls I am getting I would say that information is what the public expected to see on the profiles.
Kudos to Harper for being the most forthcoming by answering "No civic party, but I am Labour endorsed." The rest of the members on Cote's team/slate answered: "No Municipal Party," "NDP," "n/a" or "Independent." I think The Record should invite all candidates to revisit the "party" question to ensure that the answer accurately reflects the candidates' true status.
Catherine Cartwright, independent candidate for New Westminster council
