Six candidates file their papers in the quest for Councillor Rice's seat

The race is now on to replace now former Councillor Jennifer Rice at the City Council table.

With six Prince Rupert residents having submitted their names by the Friday deadline, seeking to claim the seat of Ms. Rice, who moved on to a higher electoral calling and now represents the North Coast as an NDP MLA in Victoria.

The six make for an interesting group with two candidates who have sought office before among the group.

Len Lovering ( who it seems is a frequent contributor of late to the Northern View letters to the editor pages), is looking to gain a seat on council, his last attempt for electoral success came in 2002 a run for office which came up a little short at the end of the vote count.

Also making a return to the ballot is James Kirk, who ran in the most recent Municipal election,  gaining  764 votes in the 2011 election, falling 316 votes short of the cut off mark claimed by Councillor Judy Carlick-Pearson.

In addition to those candidates with a bit of past experience in a municipal campaign, three relative newcomers to municipal politics are also seeking the support of voters.

With Barry Cunningham, Wade Niesh and Gurvinder Randhawa also submitting their names in candidacy, looking to make their mark on the municipal scene.

One name on the ballot which will certainly stand out for the current members of City Council, will be that of Larry Golden who is also looking to fill that empty sixth seat.

Mr. Golden is perhaps best known for his frequent attendance at Council sessions and for his many questions of the Mayor and councillors, sometimes a contribution which tends to create a bit of controversy.

A prospect of his electoral success could offer up some interesting conversations around the Council chamber we imagine, should he find the support of voters on election day.

At least that might be the impression voters might have if his most recent appearance at the September 30th session of Council is any indication of what Council watchers could be in store for.

Over the course of the next month and a bit, we will no doubt learn more about each of the six looking to represent the city's residents. With perhaps, even a candidates debate to be arranged, so as to help us get a better understanding of what they have to offer before the November 16th by-election.

Councillor Rice's seat at City Hall has been vacant since she submitted her resignation from Council on June 10th.

The successful candidate in November's by-election will serve out the remainder of her term on City Council, which will lead up to the next Municipal election campaign of November of 2014.

The official listing of the names for the by-election can be found on the City's website.

Those would be councillors who develop cold feet have until October 18th to remove their name from the ballot without a bit of paperwork, anyone looking to challenge the nomination of any of the candidates has until October 15th to make their concerns known.

We'll have further updates on the by-election campaign as we head towards election day, for those looking for a full review of events at City Hall, more can be found from our archive page.

Greyhound seeks service reduction for Northwest corridor

Travellers who rely on Greyhound Bus Lines in the Northwest may soon have fewer timetable options to consult, should the company prove successful in its bid to reduce service along Highway 16 from Prince Rupert to Prince George.

The inter-provincial bus line has applied to the B. C Passenger Transportation Board for permission to reduce the number of runs on routes throughout the province.

On the Northwest run, Greyhound is seeking to reduce the number of trips per week to 14 from the current level of service of 22 trip a week.

Greyhound outlined its reasons for the request in a submission to Transportation board, citing a low passenger load which in some instances reduces Revenue per Passenger Mile from between $2.25 to $2.31 based on an average passenger load of 10.48 to 11.07 eastbound or westbound.

It perhaps is a valid point, at times the Greyhound arrival at Prince Rupert provides for but one or two passengers to disembark, a situation that no doubt isn't particularly healthy to a company's bottom line.

Without a subsidy for travel across portions of the province, the bus line may have a case for its request to reduce service, based purely on a situation of use it or lose it.

The public has until October 17th to submit their concerns and comments to Transportation Board, further information on that process can be found here.

Greyhound Notice to Public

Opinion 250-- RDFFG Calls For Denial of Greyhound Application
CBC Daybreak North-- Proposed Cuts to Greyhound bus routes worry northern Communities
Opinion 250-- Council Asked to Wade in On Proposed Greyhound Service Changes
Terrace Standard-- Greyhound wants to trim northwest BC service
CFTK TV 7-- Smithers Town Council Expresses Concern of Greyhound Application to Decrease Services
CFTK TV 7-- Smithers Greyhound Shuttle (video)
CFTK TV 7-- Greyhound to Reduce Bus Service