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Where’s the BC political buzz?

Alberni-Pacific Rim MLA candidates have little grasp of issues impacting the rural area of Errington/Coombs/Hilliars.

To the Editor,

Is the Alberni-Pacific Rim contest such a foregone conclusion that the candidates aren’t bothering to campaign?

I contacted the BC Liberals about their candidate by e-mail a week ago. They responded quickly to say that they would forward my message to Mr. DeLuca.

One of my specific requests in the e-mail was to know when and if Mr. DeLuca would be making any appearances in our corner of the Alberni Pacific-Rim riding. Apparently he showed up on Tuesday for a photo op with the premier.

I similarly contacted Mr. Fraser’s team by e-mail through another BC NDP candidate’s campaign, asking for information on any local appearances plus asking to be put on their e-mail distribution list. I received a reply eight days later, but I have had zero contact from them since.

Due to her lively involvement in civic politics, I have little interest in finding out any more information about Ms. Sangster-Kelly, but I looked her up online all the same. Like the other two candidates, she has a near-static presence online.

I asked Scott Fraser about his lack of social media presence two years ago, and he responded honestly that he just didn’t have the time for it. It’s a big disappointment for voters and supporters for a candidate to create an online community during a campaign only to abandon it after the election, but I would still urge Mr. Fraser and the others to make the time. Other MLAs seem to manage.

It’s bad enough that Errington/Coombs/Hilliers is lumped into the Alberni-Pacific Rim riding. We’re economically and socially separated from the rest of the riding. Now, we’re also stuck in a riding in which the candidates have little grasp of how to use modern technology to reach the community. There’s no “buzz” here.

Skye Donald,

Coombs/ Errington