Daily News Picks 20 Nanaimo Powerhouses

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What defines 'power'?

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According to the dictionary:

power - noun

: the ability or right to control people or things
: political control of a country or area
: a person or organization that has a lot of control and influence over other people or organizations

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powerful - adjective

: having the ability to control or influence people or things
: having a strong effect on someone or something
: having or producing a lot of physical strength or force

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One thing that struck me first, was that car dealers are considered more powerful than any of our MLA's or MP's or other elected officials with the exception of Bill Bestwick. Mayor Ruttan, didn't just drop down the charts, he fell clean off it. Even Ms Tang was considered more powerful than our Mayor?

It came as no surprise that publisher Hugh Nicholson would chose Hugh Nicholson as occupying number two spot, I guess number one would just raise too many eyebrows. Editor Mark MacDonald of course couldn't be considered or a complete loss of legitimacy would taint the whole list.

They are more powerful than any of the local union leaders or religious leaders in the community. It would seem the most important criteria for being powerful in Nanaimo is by virtue of being successful in business.

I could be mistaken but Bill Bestwick is the only name on the list I can recall as holding an elected office in the community, selected by the community to serve the community. It would appear, that those considered to hold the true power in the community are not those folk we elect and ask to make decisions on our behalf.

I wonder if those we elect are actually influenced by any other than the most powerful members of the community and the rest of democracy is but a well contrived bit of theatre designed to keep the mob in line?