Political Scuttlebutt.

On January 20, our local MLA, Stan Hagen, died suddenly. It was a tragedy, and he will be sorely missed. He was an honourable man who served well.

The jockeying and process to replace him has been underway since he passed. On Sunday afternoon, I went to the local constituency association AGM of the BC Liberal party to see what was happening.. While there, I was intrigued to find out the three that have already formally filed 'letters of intent' to become the candidate in the upcoming election. Those that have done this are: Jon Toogood who started Habitat for Humanity in Courtenay; Don McRae, curren Courtenay City Councillor and Roberta Stevenson, Executive Director of the BC Shellfish Growers Association.

Scuttlebutt at the meeting was that there are up to 5 more potentials...Paul Ives, Mayor of Comox; Ken Dawson recently defeated school trustee, Shawn Wilson of the Salvation Army, and a couple of others that I haven't heard about yet.

I've also heard that a certain network of Courtenay is going to get solidly behind Don McRae to get him elected. If that happens, a by-election would be necessary in Courtenay. Then, recently defeated Courtenay mayor, Starr Winchester, will run goes the story. Himmmm....it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.