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Fisher-Bradley throws hat in Alberni's mayoral race

Alberni's Jen Fisher-Bradley is running for the office of mayor for the third time in three municipal election campaigns. Three times is a charm, she says.

Jen Fisher-Bradley is hoping the old adage “third time’s a charm” rings true this coming November.

Fisher-Bradley says she is going to run for the office of mayor for the third time in three municipal election campaigns.

Her platform is relatively simple: she wants to ensure residents and businesses in the Alberni Valley have food and water security for their sustainable futures in a rapidly changing climate. And she wants to do it with a co-operative council.

She is hoping enough like-minded people will let their names stand that they can form a slate.

A slate is a list of candidates for election to office who share a set of political views.

“If there’s no slate, I don’t think I’m going to go through with it,” Fisher-Bradley said. “I don’t think we could get what needs to be done, done.”

She will file her papers, then make her final decision after Nov. 5.

“I will withdraw if there aren’t six candidates that come forward to move on this,” she said.

She said her skill set and grassroots background make her an ideal candidate to lead the discussion on food and water security. And it’s one reason why she has her sights set on the mayor’s chair, and not a councillor’s seat.

“The No. 1 thing is being able to referee a good discussion,” she said, “and I have those skills.”

Fisher-Bradley said the increasing number of votes she received in the past two elections is motivating her to join this campaign. In 2005 she garnered 640 votes, and in 2008 it was 1,079. “That’s what’s kept me going these last three years: what about those people who voted for me,” she said.

“I felt fairly obligated to those people and also inspired.”

She said if she took away anything from the last election, it is that she loves campaigning door to door, meeting people in the community. She intends to do more of it this year.

Fisher-Bradley has also planned a series of core group meetings designed to encourage more people to vote and support potential candidates.

Fisher-Bradley is the second person to declare their intent to run for mayor in the November civic elections. Stacey Gaiga was the first, making her announcement two weeks ago.

Formal nominations won’t open for a few months, after an electoral officer is appointed.

editor@albernivalleynews.com