ROTHENBURGER – Why civic politics is actually a step up from provincial

We often think of provincial or federal politics as being a step up from serving on a local council, but think again

IS BEING AN MLA really a step up from civic politics? I’ve never thought so, but the traditional thinking is that it is.

The subject comes to mind with the announcement this week that NDP MLA Leonard Krog will run for mayor of Nanaimo in the Oct. 20 civic election. He’s hedging his bets — he’ll continue as MLA for Nanaimo and if he loses the mayoral race he’ll carry on in the Legislature.

In other words, being an MLA is second best and only a backup job as far as he’s concerned.

Former Kamloops mayor Peter Milobar did the opposite, of course, when he decided to run for the Liberals in Kamloops-North Thompson, resigning from council only after his election as MLA was secure.

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Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops, former school board chair, former editor of The Kamloops Daily News, and a current director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He was awarded the Jack Webster Foundation’s lifetime achievement award in 2011. His editorials are published Monday through Thursdays, and Saturdays on CFJC Today, CFJC Midday and CFJC Evening News. Contact him at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.