As the civic election campaign in New Westminster nears the finish line, I’ve dug into my notebook and gathered some of the more memorable quotes from the campaign trail.
While much of the discussion was on serious issues like transportation and economic development, there were moments when candidates injected a little humour to the debate.
“Politics and farming, they both use a shovel,” said incumbent councillor Chuck Puchmayr, who also runs a farm on Barnston Island that produced food for various charitable organizations.
“You’ll have to excuse me, I have a little laryngitis so you are going to hear a kinder, gentler James Crosty tonight – if that’s possible,” said Crosty, a self-described citizen advocate who has been very vocal about civic issues.
“I am married to John Ashdown – most days,” quipped first-time candidate Marge Ashdown, who is married to second-time councillor candidate John Ashdown.
At the Nov. 10 all-candidates meeting, there was a phrase that was started sounding a little familiar.
Cal Donnelly on train noise: “The trains have been here a long time. They’ve always been very noisy but I think the city is on the right track with getting noise controlled.”
Patrick Johnstone on economic development initiatives the city can do to make it a better place to do business and draw consumers and businesses from other communities: “We are doing it. The city is on the right track. We have to build places that people want to be in.”
Tracey Block, also on economic development: “I think New Westminster is on the right track and is progressing well in its growth. With a background in advertising and communications, I can only see that we have a greater need to advertise this fantastic city more.”
Along the way to election day, some candidates quoted famous folks in their quest to get elected – or re-elected – to city council.
Incumbent councillor Jaimie McEvoy: “It’s easy to stand up and say that things can just be done by magic, but they can’t be done by magic. Martin Luther King said that all progress is precarious. I think New Westminster is in that situation. You have lived here for a while. You know what the crime was like, you know what the empty stores were like, you know what the social issues are like. Things are changing and things are getting better. They are getting better because there are people on council who work in a positive way. We don’t sit there and throw ideological statements at each other. We work hard and we work for you.”
Tracey Block: “Look to elect a balanced council with independent members like myself who will work for you and represent you. Mark Twain once said if voting made any difference, they wouldn’t let us do it. I believe it does make a difference.”
Both of those last two statements hinted at one of the reoccurring themes that arose during the election campaign – labour endorsements. While labour-endorsed candidates encouraged voters to support a “progressive” group of candidates, non-endorsed or “independent” candidates suggested voters should put “balance” on city council and commented on the challenge of going up against “the machine” that included the support of labour and countless volunteers.
Mayoral candidate Vladimir Krasnogor: “I believe having this machine in town is an affront to democracy. It’s like having an Olympic champion enter into a high school competition and winning all the races. They should let New Westminster people elect their own councillors.”
Bill Harper: “Being balanced doesn’t mean to say you need to have an equal number of political stripes on council. Being balanced means what kind of program are you putting forward.
James Crosty on the need for a balance between labour-endorsed and non labour-endorsed candidates on city council: “If you’re a lone ranger on council, you can’t get a seconder for a motion. It’s like being a backbencher in parliament or Victoria.”
While incumbent Coun. Lorrie Williams is seeking re-election, Coun. Betty McIntosh, the only other female on council, is retiring.
“I also urge voters to look for balance in the number of female and male candidates they elect,” said Tracey Block. “Given that there are only male candidates running for mayor, the only opportunity to elect females for the next four years is on council.”
Mary Trentadue also raised female representation as an issue to consider on election day:
“I’m running in New West because I believe I bring a voice to the table that needs to be represented. We do need more women on council and we do need more small business owners. That’s why I am here. I want to be able to represent those voices.”
Lorrie Williams, the lone female incumbent seeking re-election, had a bit of fun with would-be voters. She said there are four initiatives she’d like to work on during Phase 2 of the Wait for Me Daddy project.
“We are going to put in a grand march, some memorial bricks and we are hopefully going to have a national historic site declared. Thee fourth reason – I am going to keep it a secrete so you’ll have to vote for me if you want to find out what it is.”
The mayor’s race – which many have predicted will be among the closes races in the Lower Mainland – included these statements.
Jonathan Cote: “This election is not about the past 10 years, it’s about the future. It’s time for a mayor that’s willing to step forward and address the real challenges that we are going to face. It’s time for a mayor to put forward a platform with ideas and issues for the future.”
Wayne Wright: “Leadership is leading. Leadership isn’t following. Leadership is not being afraid to lead and to be controversial, to look at the risk. When you are at the age I am, and the knowledge you get, don’t throw it away.”
James Crosty, on the fact that labour is now backing Jonathan Cote after years of supporting Wright. “The family is having a fight and I am going to stand back and watch them duke it out, and hope that people go, ‘I don’t like this, I’m going to go for something that’s not associated with it.’”
And finally, a few more of my favourite quotes from the campaign trail.
Veteran councillor and former MLA Chuck Puchmayr: “This is one of the cleanest, most respectful campaigns that I’ve ever run in. Signs are being respected, people are being respected. There are a few nasty things said but there is in every campaign, so I want to commend all of the candidates for putting themselves forward.”
Tej Kainth, who was born and raised in New West: “Thank you New Westminster for raising me. I promise I’ll make you proud.
And another from Tej Kainth: “I am crazy in love with this city. If New West was a man, I would definitely marry him.”
Patrick Johnstone, who is both a known rabble-rouser and 2013 Citizen of the Year: “I love this city because we get engaged and we speak out on issues.”
Catherine Cartwright, when questioned about the Hyack Festival Association, answered candidly. “It is a subject that has been very political and I will have to get up to speed on. As a first time councillor, I can’t know everything and I am absolutely willing to say that.”
John Ashdown: “I am also known as Honest John. For those who know me because I speak my mind. Sometimes I speak too loud, but I speak my mind.”
Mayoral candidate James Crosty on incumbent mayor Wayne Wright: “When he first came in here he had to fight the image of New Westminster. To his credit, he has done well. If I was fortunate enough to get the support of the people … the first thing I would do is ask him to be our economic development manager. He’d be perfect for that. This is a man that knows how to go out and get businesses in to New Westminster.”
