The nomination period is officially over, and Whistlerites will have nearly two dozen candidates to choose from to fill the municipality's six council seats on Oct. 20.
In the mayoral race, the choice is decidedly less diverse—incumbent Councillor Jack Crompton will run unopposed.
Though he can't officially be elected by acclimation until 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 (once the deadlines to challenge nominations and withdraw candidacies have passed), Crompton is effectively the next mayor of Whistler.
Reached by phone, he was speechless.
"I am so grateful for the trust that our community has shown in me, and I cannot wait to get to work with the new council when they're elected," he said.
"But between now and then there is lots of work to do, so I'll be nose to the grindstone between now and the election."
The official declaration will take place at 4 p.m. on Sept. 24 in the Flute Room at Municipal Hall, and will be open to the public.
Following the election, Crompton said his first priorities will be getting to know the new council, getting them up to speed on work already underway and establishing a new set of strategic priorities.
The full slate of Whistler council candidates, listed alphabetically: Steve Andrews, Gord Annand, Lance Bright, David Buzzard, Arthur De Jong, Larry Falcon, Jen Ford, Ralph Forsyth, John Grills, Nathan Hawkins, Duane Jackson, Tova Jamernik, Cathy Jewett, Miroslav Kolvek, Janice Lloyd, Jeff Murl, Ira Pettle, Brian Reid, Melanie Tardif and Dawn Titus.
Cynthia Higgins and Rachael Lythe will run unopposed for Whistler's two school trustee seats.
Each candidate's nomination forms can be viewed at www.whistler.ca/election.
Find profiles of some of the candidates at www.piquenewsmagazine.com, and check back with Pique in the coming weeks for more.
PEMBERTON
The Village of Pemberton narrowly avoided having to extend the nomination period, as a flurry of council candidates came forward on the last day.
Incumbent Mayor Mike Richman will be acclaimed, as no one has stepped up to run against him.
Meanwhile, seven candidates will run for Pemberton's four council seats: Amica Antonelli, Ted Craddock, Karen Love, Leah Noble, David MacKenzie, Robert Martineau and Ryan Zant.
Two candidates have stepped forward for Pemberton's lone school trustee seat: Nicole Sugden and Michelle Butler.
For more info head to www.pemberton.ca/government/elections-information.
SQUAMISH-LILLOOET REGIONAL DISTRICT
In the Squamish-Lillooet Regional District (SLRD), three candidates will run unopposed: incumbents Russell Mack (Area C) and Tony Rainbow (Area D) and newcomer Vivian Birch-Jones (Area B). In Area A, three candidates have stepped forward: Karen Playfair, Allan Moritz and John Courchesne.
Two SLRD candidates for school trustee are also running unopposed: Rebecca Barley (Area C) and Celeste Bickford (Area D).
Head to www.slrd.bc.ca/inside-slrd/legislative-services/elections for more.
LIST OF KEY DATES:
Sept. 18: Last day to challenge a candidate nomination and endorsements.
Sept. 21: Last day to withdraw from being a candidate.
Sept. 22 to Oct. 20: Campaign period.
Oct. 4: First day to send out/pick up mail ballot packages
Oct. 10 and 13: Advance voting opportunities
Oct. 18: Last day to fill out an "Application to Vote by Mail" form; last day to send out mail ballot packages.
Oct. 20: General Voting Day
Oct. 24: Declaration of official results
