When Belcarra Mayor Ralph Drew is asked when the last time was that someone challenged him in an election campaign, he has to think about it.
"1996?," he asks. "It has been quite a while. I'm not even sure, to tell you the honest truth. It has been more than 12 years, in that range."
This fall's civic election is no different after Drew and the four village councillors were acclaimed for the third term in a row, a feat he said "probably sets a record."
Drew interprets the lack of challengers as Belcarra residents having confidence in council but does not discount other factors.
First, there is the possibility that nobody else wants the job, he said. Belcarra's geography could also be a factor.
He equates the community to an island - surrounded by water and a Metro Vancouver park. The village does not have to deal with many of the contentious land use issues that larger, growing municipalities face, such as high density developments and expanded subdivisions.
If the services are provided and the community's affairs are managed properly, Drew said, most voters are happy.
"We are very focused on the basics," he said. "As long as you are taking care of the garbage, the roads and the day-to-day operations, people are content."
Drew does not worry that the repeated acclamation will create complacency at city hall. Voters in Belcarra are engaged, he said, and if council was not doing a good job, they would be quickly replaced.
It is not uncommon for the village to get between 50 and 80 people to a public consultation meetings, numbers that cities such as Port Coquitlam and Port Moody rarely match.
That means council is constantly hearing from a large cross-section of the community, he said, which is reflected in the village's decisions.
"We are not complacent," he said, "we are very much involved."
Drew also trumpets the benefits of consistency on council. Those occupying the seats at the village's decision-making table have experience and are incredibly familiar with the issues the community faces.
There is also the cost savings that comes with not having to print ballots, set up a polling station and hire an election return officer. "All in all, you are looking at the $4,000 to $5,000 range," he said. "It is not a lot but it is better than a kick in the pants."
Like neighbouring cities where elections will be held, the mayor and council in Belcarra will still have to participate in the inaugural meeting and will renew their pledge of office at a swearing in ceremony after the civic vote.
But without an election, Drew said council can continue to focus on the work of the village rather than worrying about campaigning for their jobs - at least for another three years.
