Richmond city council candidates, some faces newer than others, are starting to emerge ahead on the Nov. 19 civic election.
Current school trustee Carol Day who helped form VAPOR, a group of residents campaigning against the jet fuel pipeline proposal will run for a seat on the RITE slate, alongside incumbent Sue Halsey-Brandt and Michael Wolfe.
Another surprise entry in the race is former school board chair Linda McPhail, whos running on the Richmond First banner, which boasts a trio of incumbents in veteran Bill McNulty, Derek Dang and Ken Johnston.
Former councillor Cynthia Chen, who lost her seat three years ago, announced in the summer that she will once again put her name forward. De Whalen, an East Richmond resident and Richmond News social justice columnist, will also run for a coveted slot on council.
All other incumbents Harold Steves, Linda Barnes, Evelina Halsey-Brandt, Greg Halsey-Brandt, and Mayor Malcolm Brodie are expected to throw their collective hats into the ring.
The City of Richmond is asking people to check their voting registration details, to ensure theyre eligible to make their mark on Nov. 19.
If you are voting in Richmond for the first time, or have changed your address or your name, you may have to update your registration.
You can register or update information in advance or at the time you go to vote it just takes a few minutes.
The city says that, by ensuring you are registered now, your voting experience will be quicker on election day.
To check your information on the Voters List, simply use the voter look up tool on the citys website at www.richmond.ca/electionservices/voters/voterslistsearch, call the Richmond Election Office at 604-276-4100, or visit the elections office at Richmond City Hall, 6911 No. 3 Road, weekdays from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. They will verify the information on the Voters List for you.
The advance voter registration period closes at 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 27.
To make the voting experience easier this year, Richmond voters can vote at any of the 32 voting places; can vote on election day or any of the five advance voting days; obtain information on Facebook and the citys website and see detailed profiles of all the candidates (after Oct. 14).
A comprehensive voters guide will also be mailed to all Richmond households.
To qualify to vote you must be:
* A Canadian citizen
* 18 years of age or older on election day (Nov. 19)
* Resident of B.C. for six months immediately prior to registration
* Resident of Richmond for 30 days immediately prior to registration, and
* You must not be disqualified by law from voting
Meanwhile, child care development, the environment, economic development and public art are just four out of 16 city advisory committees and boards looking for volunteers.
The committees and boards have spaces for those who want to volunteer to make a difference in their community.
These groups assist city departments and city council, providing contributions to the decision making process on a wide variety of municipal issues.
The city is currently accepting applications until Friday, Oct. 7 from people interested in sitting on one of the following:
Advisory Committee on the Environment
Agricultural Advisory Committee
Aquatic Services Board
Board of Variance
Child Care Development Advisory Committee
Economic Advisory Committee
Family and Youth Court Committee
Gateway Theatre Society Board
Heritage Commission
Intercultural Advisory Committee
Museum Society Board
Parking Advisory Committee
Public Art Advisory Committee
Public Library Board
Seniors Advisory Committee
Sister City Committee
For more information, visit www.richmond.ca (City Hall > City Council > Boards & Committees > Advisory Committees).
