The byelection is over. The electorate that voted has spoken loud and clear. I have congratulated Mr. Doubt on his win, and Mr. Rebane on his efforts and commitment to run for public office.
As everyone in this community knows, I challenged the previous result of the October 2018 civic election and the 6th seat on council was vacated by the Supreme Court of BC.
This seat was not vacated by the Supreme Court because there were “alleged irregular votes” as this paper has alluded to; there were clearly votes that should never have been counted. You have to ask yourself, “why would this paper use the word ‘alleged?’” The Supreme Court does not make decisions on alleged evidence. My lawyer clearly showed the evidence to the court that determined the decision.
The figure of $45,000 to run the byelection was estimated by the chief election officer. This is the figure that people know about and are using.
This takes me to the real point of why I have written to the paper on this issue: the cartoon that appeared one day before the final election day [“What price democracy?” April 5]. If you have not seen it, I encourage all citizens of Powell River to view this cartoon and judge for yourself why this paper chose to publish it on the eve of a civic byelection.
I can draw no other conclusion that this was a clear attempt to influence the minds of any voters who had not yet voted and would be voting on April 6. Why would this paper choose to publish this cartoon at this point in time? They could have put it in anytime, but no, they chose to do it on the eve of an election day.
Contrary to what some people on social media have been saying, I am not a “poor loser.” I only ask to be treated fairly. I lost in this byelection and I sincerely thank all those people who voted and supported me.
It is unfortunate this paper chose to try and put its stamp on the election. One will never know how much this cartoon influenced people at the last minute, but it clearly shows this paper had every intention of reminding them.
For some, and they know who they are, they would have clapped their hands in glee over the cartoon. Most fair-minded people would clearly draw a different conclusion. The people of Powell River deserve more from their community paper than a biased approach.
This paper asks under its cartoons: “What do you think of the cartoon?” They asked and I have now given my opinion.
Al Drummond
Skeena Street
