Endorsements continue to roll in for the Nov. 19 Tri-City civic elections, giving voters some information about candidates running for mayor, council and school trustee.
Both the Coquitlam Teachers' Association and the Port Moody Firefighters Association have sent their members lists of candidates they recommend.
For this election, the CTA has endorsed four school trustee candidates for Coquitlam but none for Port Coquitlam. Coquitlam incumbents Gail Alty, Brian Robinson, Diane Sowden and Gerri Wallis were all endorsed by the CTA. The only candidate not endorsed in Coquitlam was the lone challenger, Humera Ahsanullah. There are four spots open for Coquitlam school trustees.
In Port Coquitlam, the CTA chose not to endorse any of the three candidates who are running for election after surveying and interviewing them. Incumbents John Keryluk and Judy Shirra, and newcomer Bob Lee, a paramedic, are running for PoCo's two school trustee spots.
In a letter to teachers, the CTA stated that it takes seriously its responsibility of recommending candidates and will only recommend candidates in "instances where they demonstrate an awareness of our issues and a commitment to advocating for progressive change."
The CTA letter also stated the recommendations are for information purposes only and not in any way binding. "Every teacher will exercise his/her vote by secret ballot and that is the way that it should be."
Meanwhile, in Port Moody, firefighters are wading into the election debate. Port Moody Firefighters Local 2399 is endorsing Coun. Mike Clay for mayor and incumbents Diana Dilworth and Bob Elliott for council as well as challengers Jason Hulbert, Jimmy Malamas, Nancy Owens and Julie Whitworth. Incumbent Gerry Nuttall, who was on the task force that found $4 million in savings for a planned rebuild for the main fire hall, was not among the candidates recommended by the firefighters.
But according to information given to firefighters, the recommended candidates were chosen because they agreed to beef up staffing levels at the Glenayre fire hall. According to the firefighters, the previous council made a decision that understaffs the fire hall in the event of illness or injury.
"Port Moody Firefighters Local 2399 is looking forward to righting this wrong with the newly-elected city council," states the letter to its members.
