ROTHENBURGER – A low-key start with high hopes of changing local politics

THERE WERE NO BALLOONS, banners, placards or cheering crowds at Friday’s official announcement of the BC Conservative candidates for the two Kamloops ridings. Just the candidates themselves, a couple of supporters from the party, some reporters and a homeless guy who happened by on his rounds.

Never mind, it was a pleasant morning in a nice setting, the Columbia Street hill lookout providing a backdrop of the North and South Thompson River valleys.

The modest size of the gathering wasn’t for any lack of enthusiasm — Dennis Giesbrecht and Ward Stamer were officially confirmed as the candidates in Kamloops Centre and Kamloops-North Thompson, respectively, only the day before.

There was no nomination process; the pair were appointed by the party with leader John Rustad’s blessing. So they had no competitors for the job. No membership sign-up campaigns or “pick me” speeches or nomination meetings with a counting of ballots.

It’s not unusual in the growing roster of 40 or so candidates chosen so far by the BC Conservatives. Which presents a bit of a challenge in building momentum locally, not just for the Conservatives but for BC United as well.

Since BC United will be represented in our two ridings by incumbents Todd Stone and Peter Milobar, there will be no big build-up through the party nomination process for them either.

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Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor.  He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.