In a stunning twist, Councillor Dave Formosa filed nomination papers for mayor of the City of Powell River just before the 4 pm deadline on Friday, October 14. Councillor Chris McNaughton withdrew his papers to run for mayor and instead filed a new set to run for council. Formosa and incumbent Stewart Alsgard are the only two candidates seeking the mayor’s position in the November 19 civic election. There are 10 candidates running for six positions on council. Councillors Debbie Dee, Maggie Hathaway and Jim Palm are seeking a second term in office along with McNaughton. Former councillors Gordon Crawford and Myrna Leishman are running again, as are newcomers Russell Brewer, Glenn Holstine, Bill Hopkins and Scott Lukianchuk. Only two Powell River Regional District directors face opponents. Colin Palmer, Electoral Area C director and board chair, Patrick Brabazon, Electoral Area A director, and Dave Murphy, Texada Island director, will be acclaimed if no one challenges their nomination. Kim Barton-Bridges is running for Electoral Area B director, facing incumbent Stan Gisborne. On Lasqueti Island, incumbent Merrick Anderson will be running against Timothy Peterson. Only five people are running for School District 47 Board of Education trustees: Steve Formosa, Mary James, Aaron Marie Reid, Jeanette Scott and Doug Skinner. They also will be acclaimed if their nominations are not challenged. A nomination may only be challenged by an application to the Provincial Court in accordance with Section 75 of the Local Government Act. The deadline for challenging a nomination is 4 pm on Tuesday, October 18, at which time the election will be declared. Formosa, who described himself as a “God-fearing and God-loving man,” is a Powell River entrepreneur and president of the Powell River Chamber of Commerce who was first elected to council in 2008. He announced last week that he would not be seeking re-election, but since then, he said, he spent a lot of time in prayer and talking to people. “I felt huge relief when I decided not to run,” he said. “I felt like I hadn’t felt in a long time and it felt really good.” A couple of days later, Formosa said, he started feeling a lot of guilt. “I think it was because I know what I was leaving behind and undone, because I truly do care about my community.” In the end, he had to make the decision for himself, Formosa said. “I think I’m doing what’s right for the community, what’s right for my kids, your kids, my fellow man, my business, my staff and our society. People don’t always agree with what we do or how we do it, but I feel that I have to make the sacrifice to continue my service for now. I do it with a heavy heart, but I do it with a clear mind. I believe I made the right decision.” Formosa attributed part of his feelings to the fact he is running against Alsgard, whom he has previously described as his friend and someone whom he looks up to like a father. Alsgard told the Peak that he respects Formosa’s decision. Formosa’s “heavy heart” also stems from what he has learned during the past three years. “This is a service that you give, although it’s sometimes ugly because people call you names and they’re brutal to you, which I don’t appreciate or like,” he said. “But we all really try and do what we think is best.” Formosa said he believes the community is in for some “really tough times. We need to somehow pull together and try and figure out which is best, which is the way to go. I have a plan. I’ve always had a plan and I’ve had to think of that plan more seriously in the last week.” His plan includes a referendum on co-treatment, Formosa said. “I think we need to do that. I don’t think there is any way around that issue at this time.” Other issues include ferries, taxation, keeping Catalyst Paper Corporation’s Powell River mill operating and finding own-sourced revenue. “We’re in a new time and a new world and we need to come up with new ways. Renewable energy is a big thing in our mandate that I would try to bring forward,” he said. McNaughton said he and Formosa have worked closely over the last three years. “I think supporting Dave is the right thing to do,” he said. “For me, it wasn’t all about being mayor. It was all about serving the community, so I’m pleased to work with Dave and others who are elected. I hope I’m elected.” Click here to view the City of Powell River Declaration of Candidates Click here to view the Powell River Regional District Declaration of Candidates This article has been closed to commenting.
