Sturgis North CEO Ray Sasseville was spotted by a number of readers taking in the Roots and Blues Festival last weekend. He didn’t respond to the Observer’s questions about why he was there or what he might take away from his Roots and Blues experience.
I wonder if there will be a child’s sand pit at Sturgis North if it returns? One thing’s certain in my mind: we won’t be seeing Sharon and Bram playing the Sturgis North stage.
Does Sasseville’s visit mean Sturgis North will be returning to Salmon Arm next year? He’s not saying, other than to indicate more information may be out next week.
As an interesting side note, this year’s Roots and Blues Festival saw the highest number of people arrested in the 19 years it has operated.
Mind you, unlike Sturgis North, Roots and Blues didn’t call for the RCMP’s Outlaw Biker Gang Task Force to be in attendance.
Speculation is rampant about who, if anyone, is going to run against current city councillor Kevin Flynn in the November municipal elections.
I’ve been told there is a candidate who plans to run against Flynn, but that person isn’t ready to make it official. At least that means there will be a race. For such a prominent position in our city, it would be disappointing to have the mayor’s chair go to acclamation.
Other than newcomer and recent high school grad Skylar Plourde, who announced his candidacy earlier this summer, the city council field is pretty wide open.
Granted, many of the current councillors will likely be back including Alan Harrison, who declared his intention to run again earlier this summer. Couns. Debbie Cannon, Ivan Idzan, Ken Jamieson and Chad Eliason have also indicated they would likely be heading back to the polls, as has Mayor Marty Bootsma, who indicated he doesn’t want the mayor’s job, but might still run for a seat on council.
With the level of political interest in this town, I have no doubt the race will fill up soon.
Nomination papers for mayor and city councillor position are available from city hall today, Wednesday, Aug. 31. The nominating period for all municipal offices runs from Oct. 4, with the final deadline to file papers being Oct. 14 at 4 p.m.
Residents do not have to live in the community where they represent, but must have lived in B.C. for the past six months.
And don’t forget about spaces on the CSRD for the rural areas or the school board, where Salmon Arm elects two trustees. Nomination papers are available for the CSRD now from the office on Marine Park Drive. Papers for school trustee positions will be available mid-September from the school board office. The election is Saturday, Nov. 19.