Nanaimo was originally incorporated on Dec. 24, 1874, and its’ first Council was made up of Mayor Mark Bate and seven Councillors for the 1875 term. The term of the Council was for one year. Elections were held annually for the next 100 years. How is that for democratic accountability?
Council’s term went to two years in 1975 and then to three in 1991. There is now talk of going to four years and we seem to have those who would like the term to be for life.
Of the current members, Loyd Sherry holds the record having sat on Council since 1981. In 1985 he was joined by Gary Korpan, and Larry McNabb. In 1987 Bill Holdom joined Council. Gary Korpan became mayor in 1994 and has remained in that position to the present time. Latecomers to Council include Diane Brennan and Jeet Manhas in 2002 and Bill Bestwick, Joy Cameron and Merv Unger in 2005.
Gary Korpan 9 terms, 24 years (15 years as Mayor), gone
John Ruttan Newly Elected Mayor, first term
Loyd Sherry 11 terms, 28 years, now 12 terms
Larry McNabb 9 terms, 24 years, now 10 terms
Bill Holdom 7 terms, 19 years (sat out the 1997-99 term), now 8 terms
Diane Brennan 2 terms, 6 years, gone
Jeet Manhas 2 terms, 6 years, gone
Bill Bestwick 1 term, 3 years, now two terms
Joy Cameron 1 term, 3 years, gone
Merv Unger 1 term, 3 years, now 2 terms
Diana Johnston Newly Elected, first term
Jim Kipp Newly Elected, has served previously
Fred Pattje Newly Elected, first term
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Source: Municipal Honour Service Roll: City of Nanaimo, 2008 election
Whether this incumbency is a good thing or a lack of imagination is left to the voter to determine. But it should be noted that in the last municipal election, only about 30% of eligible voters went to the polls and some of our Council were elected by only about 30% of that 30%.
The Great Election of 2008
The election of 2008 seems to have generally confirmed that incumbency remains a good thing in voters minds. While both Gary Korpan and Diane Brennan were defeated for the Mayor's post by newcomer John Ruttan, those who remained on Council to run again, Loyd Sherry, Larry McNabb, Bill Holdom, Bill Bestwick and Merv Unger all did indeed remain. Filling the three vacancies on Council created by the departure of Jeet Manhas for provincial Liberal politics (following in the footsteps of the previous Council conference centre czar, Ron Cantelon), the decision not to run by Joy Cameron, and the run for the Mayorship by Diane Brennan, are Jim Kipp, returning to Council after a hiatus, and newbies Diana Johnston and Fred Pattje. I am sure that all our citizens wish them luck in meeting the challenges ahead and will be watching for the tone to be set in the coming months.