Saturday, November 19, 2011

Nanaimo 2011 Civic Election Results


Nanaimo 2011 Municipal Election Results


Election Results For Nanaimo Municipal Election 2011

Mayor John Ruttan

Bill Bestwick
Diane Brennan
Jim Kipp
George Anderson
Ted Greves
Diana Johnstone
Fred Pattje
Bill McKay


VOTER TURNOUT DROPS To 26.6%!

Based on the preliminary vote count the number of eligible voters participating in this civic election fell a full 5% from the 31.6% turnout in 2008 to a very disappointing 26.6%!

This means we have elected a Mayor who only has 13.9% of the total eligible vote. We call this democracy?? We should be ashamed of ourselves.

This also means we have elected members of council with less than 10% of the total eligible vote. In fact most of council have been elected with about 10% of the total eligible vote.

Core Review and Zero Based Budgeting???
OR
Now Let's Figure Out How To Spend More?

allvoices

36 comments:

  1. At least some new (and young) blood - hopefully some interesting dynamics on the new council.

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  2. Karin Hildebrandt19 November 2011 at 20:47

    I would have liked to see more "New Blood"... not very happy with the outcome!

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  3. The people of Nanaimo have shown they will not be manipulated by fear mongering. That they understand government exists to serve all the people, not just the special interests of business. Congratulations. We are a community with room for all and care for its own.

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  4. Happy with the Mayor, but would like to have seen more new blood among the rest.

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  5. Congratulations to George Anderson and our new council, but most of all congratulations to the City of Nanaimo for recognizing that electing George Anderson to our City Council was one of the cleverest things that we have done in many, many years. You go George!! Maureen Pineau and Family

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  6. YEAH I got 4 that I wanted in. Happy that Bill Bestwick and Bill McKay are in. An new added voice of respect and reason that truly represents ALL concerns including the highest tax paying citizens in the north end who also deserve to live in a safe neighbourhood and deserve to have their questions and concerns addressed.

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  7. thank god the developer didn't get in, and wasn't john ruttan was smart to get the streets uber-snowploughed this morning to bring out the vote?!
    kudos to george anderson--we'll be watching for good things from him...

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  8. How does Bestwick consistently get in????
    He has done nothing for Nanaimo, and only worries about padding his own pockets! Bad decision Nanaimo!

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  9. 26.6%!!!! What a DISGRACE!!!!!!

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  10. No wonder turnout was low again. Most candidates expected us to vote them in on the basis of their name and/or picture alone and/or cheesy slogan about "experience", "vision", blah blah. Very few had specific ideas. Even fewer bothered to campaign door to door. An election should be about more than who can stick up the most signs.

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  11. Maybe with a turnout this low, the people of Nanaimo have shown that they would rather have none of the above. These results should be illigitimate to hold office. At least Brunie Brunie can put her magic markers to better use now.

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  12. There is no excuse for low voter turnout. Every voter has the responsibility to look beyond the signs and attend community meetings, write the candidates, and read the newspapers. It is us to us, the individual, to be informed and to not be swayed only by signs.

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  13. Anonymous at 9:39p: Hurling insults. You know, at least Brunie is standing up for what she believes in. Did you even get your ass out and vote? Probably not.

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  14. Bill Bestwick is the best-looking candidate of them all. No wonder he gets the votes.

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  15. If someone wants my vote, it shouldn't be up to me to find out what they stand for. Whatever happened to campaigning?? Of course, even when I read what candidates had to say, most of them simply played safe and made predictably bland generalisations about strong leadership and vision.

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  16. Ted greaves should be happy as he is back at the trough again!
    Anonymous

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  17. What's with only 13 people going after the 9 school board positions? Too bad business-people are too busy earning a living to bother with running for office. How come the student population has dropped by 18% over the last decade, while the city has grown? Are the public schools that bad?

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  18. 26% Voted isn't that just grand People what's with you ????

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  19. Anonymous 10:33 please do us all a favor and move back to Vancouver.

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  20. Well, Miss Brennan, aka Miss "UM", is back Never knew what she was trying to say, or do, before. Too many "ums".. And D. Johnstone who did nothing and said less. Mr. Ruttan who does not care about the home owners in this city. The tax payers. How disgusting. Was this election really legit? One wonders.

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  21. true many I chose did not get elected but the real disappointment is the 26.6% turnout. Tragic

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  22. Well,I'm sad as our voice in city hall is a wisper,a lot of people out yesterday ,and not many bothered to vote,our concerns will continue to be swept under the rug

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  23. Possibly if we had polling stations at places like Woodgrove Mall or other malls more people would vote, the malls are the town centers now. 26% is a bad joke, but just wait till things go wrong and guess who will be complaining??

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  24. All of the moans and groans re low turnout and democracy are probably from those whose candidates didn't make it. Democracy is about choice. Not voting is a choice. Those of us that did vote also chose. Some of my choices were elected, some not but that's okay. Great news about the school board. The last one was a bad joke on Nanaimo.

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  25. I was pleased with the results.There are only two seats different from what I chose and feel we have a great council.I used the computer to view the meetings and candidates.57years in Nanaimo.

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  26. Leona said
    All those negative comments but no GUTS to
    put your name to them
    So easy to Judge, What have you done to
    better the Community if anything to justify
    your opinions??
    Please think before putting pen to paper

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  27. Sad that so few voted. As a young person, I was annoyed that so many of my friends and colleagues complain about the way things are done, but couldn't garner the energy to take 5 mins from their day and go vote. Very, very frustrating, especially when one of the candidates is their age!

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  28. lol, dear Anonymous, Bestwick continues to get in strongly due to this being a hockey town and the election often being a popularity contest. Not because of anything he does or for the lack of skills and teamwork he brings to the table lol. Some get in for their skills and some get in because they used to be a Junior A hockey coach. In this town he only managed to keep that job due to his buddy sports writers who raised hell whenever anyone bought the team and considered losing him. Finally, a new organization made the right decision and the team moves forward. He still behaves like hes some kind of celebrity lol.

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  29. For those that got out and made the effort to vote.....I commend you.......for those that choose to put down the efforts and changes that are "trying" to be made.......if you don't like it.....then get away from the TV, video-games and cell phones......and get involved....so you know what is really going on and try to help. Being down on every aspect of change that takes place leaves a rotten taste in my mouth. Get back to where Nanaimo families and neighbours helped one another and cared.........I know there are a lot of you out there doing just that.......but not enough are. Good luck to the new council members....we look forward to new input into our community. Make Nanaimo Proud.

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  30. Elliptical observer20 November 2011 at 14:29

    Glad for a couple reasons: A developer & company didnt buy or manipulate their way in to appease large property owners and some spoiled folk. Instead, a community minded individual with no agenda persevered..... Natural and positive college student George Anderson got in solid. George just needed his sparkling character to be noticed by the voters, and his Campaign manager Erik did a great job of getting him out there. Not to mention the many doors George opened to say "Hi" in his energetic campaign! ....Sad though that voters did not allow Gary Korpan to bring his considerable dedication, expertise and skills back to council.

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  31. I've always believed in... if you don't vote you can't complain. that means that only 26% of Nanaimo citizens can actually complain or voice their opinion. The rest of you can just sit back and suck it!

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  32. Anonymous Said
    I'm very dissapointed about the election. 1/Coverage in newspaper re: Candidates running.
    2/Very poor turnout of voters.If you didn't vote,you have no right to complain.
    3/ I am a senior and I'm disabled and spent lots of time looking for a ride to go and vote.In times past rides were offered to anyone who needed one. This year-not in the paper or on line could I find
    anyone offering a ride.I finally found a friend who gave me a ride. There are a lot of seniors in Nanaimo. Maybe that's part of the reason for low turnout with the snow and ice.You candidates need to pull up your socks and think about caring for others instead of lining your pockets with high income raises. Us seniors don't get any raise in pay,
    only raise in taxes. I for 1 depend mostly on the food bank to eat and I worked hard all my life.now that your newly elected ,how about doing something to help seniors,disabled,etc. so we can have some enjoyment in our later years.

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  33. Some of those who are new to voting in Nanaimo, actually did get out and vote yesterday. Then they found out today that they only voted at 1 of the 2 places they were supposed to vote at?! For what it's worth that is likely to confuse the heck out of anyone from another province who has only ever had to vote at a single location and any new voters who have just recently turned 18.

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  34. I would have loved to see Gary Korpan back in the city hall ........ he was a heck of a good mayor and could probably give them all some advise.

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  35. Elliptical observer21 November 2011 at 08:55

    LOW VOTER TURNOUT I believe is for several reasons. Yes, there are those who have trouble getting to the station eg. seniors and a service would be helpful. There is the lazy and there is the disillusioned. Many of the disillusioned are young and many are poor. I think the poor and the young often do not believe they can effect change. The affluent and the experienced know they can. Thanks to George Anderson's investment in bravery and those behind him, for showing the youth at least, that they indeed can effect change.

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  36. peter-we should do what Austrialia does and fine all you numbskulls who don't vote and sit in front of the t.v. at home,or in some bar and complain.

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