The slate of candidates has been set for the Dec. 19 by-election in Gibsons.
Bob Jones, Claudia Ferris and Gerry Tretick are the three candidates who put their names forward by nomination deadline Friday afternoon, Nov. 13.
Jones has run unsuccessfully for a council seat in the last two municipal elections. In the November 2008 election, he finished with 102 votes.
He said his concern with changes to Gibsons Way is a big issue for him.
"I have a long desire to be on council and a desire to be in public service," Jones said. "It's a chance for me to repay the generosity that the community has shown me."
Jones said he feels he is up to the challenge of joining a council midway through its current term.
"I follow what is going on. I'm up to speed, and walking into a council in progress will not be a problem," he said. "I listen to people and do my homework."
Ferris is a newcomer to politics and says her passion is building community. She feels her volunteer experience and her career in communications for the last 25 years have given her the experience of working with groups who have competing interests and finding constructive solutions - all aspects she feels are vital to being a councillor.
"I am running because I care about building community and because I would like to be part of the team that has made Gibsons a role model for towns across Canada and around the world," Ferris said. "When this by-election came up unexpectedly, I realized it was a rare opportunity. My children are old enough now and my career is flexible enough that I can devote the time to take on a challenging public position."
Tretick is no stranger to Gibsons council. He served one term before challenging Mayor Barry Janyk for the mayor's position last November. Tretick lost by 34 votes.
He said he's enjoyed his time away from politics, but felt he had a responsibility to the community to step forward and run again.
"Just like the mayor indicated, he wanted people with experience and an interest in the town, and I feel I bring that," Tretick said. "It's difficult for anyone to come in part-way, but I know how the position works, and I feel I would fit right in."Tretick said a lot of people on the street have been asking him to consider running.
"That was the push from behind," he said. "I enjoyed my time away, but I see this as a community service."
The by-election was called after the resignation of Chris Koopmans in mid-October.
