A second Beaver Valley politician is ready to seek re-election this fall.
Montrose’s Joe Danchuk confirmed Monday night that he is ready to tackle the job as village mayor for another four years.
Danchuk was a mayoral newcomer after winning the race in 2011, and after an eventful first term filled with water woes and recreational upset, he is again ready to go to bat.
“I had to make sure my wife was on board first because this is a big commitment that takes away time from the family,” said Danchuk.
Since February, he has been knee deep in Beaver Valley recreation troubles but the Montrose mayor and now regional district director, is determined to find solutions to fractured regional recreation.
“I’ve become very involved in this and I think our recreation is really in trouble,” he said. “It’s so important for everyone in the area to have access to recreation,” Danchuk continued. “We need to work together regionally and find something that works for everyone.
“That is something I would like to see through.”
A legislative decision made earlier this year extends local government terms from three years to four years following the Nov. 15 civic election. Adding the extra year has some elected officials thinking twice before running again.
Montrose councillors Don Berriault, Mary Gay, Cindy Cook and Don Duclos said they need more time to consider a four-year commitment and can’t comment if their names will be on the ballots this fall.
“I feel like I just got my feet wet,” said first term Coun. Gay. “But four years is making it hard to step up to the plate for a lot of people,” she noted. “My worry is that I am 72 now and what if I couldn’t finish a four year term?” she questioned. “Then it would cost taxpayers more money for a by-election.”
Since last year, Fruitvale Mayor Patricia Cecchini has been clear about her intention to seek re-election a second time.
“A lot of positive things have been happening in Fruitvale, sewer system upgrades, addressing safety concerns, recreational opportunities, to youth and seniors programming,” said the first term Fruitvale mayor. “I would like to continue the momentum by working hard with council, provincial ministries and various community groups, for the residents of Fruitvale,to enhance our great little town.”
So far, there’s no word of rumblings in Warfield or Rossland, however the nomination period for the civic election doesn’t officially open until Sept. 30.
Trail’s seasoned Mayor Dieter Bogs announced he is retiring after 17 years, and to date two potential candidates have stepped forward stating intent to run for the position.
Mike Martin, a retired general manager from Teck Trail Operations, threw his hat in the ring in April, and former Local 480 President Doug Jones declared intent to run for Trail mayor last month.
The rule book for the 2014 General Local Elections has been modified this year, and in Tuesday news release, Minister Coralee Oakes outlined the new requirements.
The changes will ensure “transparency and accountability,” noted Oakes, adding that Elections BC has a role to provide education and ensure compliance in local elections.
The new guidelines focus on financial disclosure and third-party sponsorship and all this information will now be published online by Elections BC.
“Those who intend to run for local government office in the fall election can be campaigning now, but nomination papers cannot be submitted until the time period noted (Sept. 30),” explained Michelle McIsaac, Trail’s corporate administrator and chief elections officer. “Further they must track campaign contributions and expenses as of January 1.”