With just a couple of days until the local election, you’ll soon be choosing the next person to represent the North Shuswap at the CSRD Board table, with the Province and federal government, and with the many organizations and agencies that have a role in making our community better.

When you vote, I’d encourage you to think beyond campaign signs and promises and consider the qualities the job actually requires.

I’ve broken it down into a simple REAP list:

R – Responsibility and Respect
Responsibility to the community, and respect for the process and the people you need to work with.

E – Experience, Empathy and Enthusiasm
Experience in boardrooms, volunteer organizations or previous work; empathy for all residents dealing with real problems; and enthusiasm for moving worthwhile projects forward.

A – Attitude and Ability
A positive attitude matters. So does the ability to work with people, build relationships and find common ground.

P – People Skills, Preparation and Patience
You can’t rub the wrong way and expect people to help you get things done. A good Director needs to prepare for meetings, listen to people and have the patience to keep working at things that sometimes take years to get done.

No candidate will have every quality on the list. But the more of them they bring to the table, the quicker they’ll get up to speed and the better positioned they’ll be to accomplish things for the North Shuswap.

Over the last few weeks, people have regularly asked me who I would recommend. I can’t tell anyone how to vote, but I can certainly tell you how I reached my own decision.

Of the candidates, only one contacted me directly and spent considerable time asking about the community, the current issues, what is underway at the CSRD and what I believe the next Director needs to understand. I’ve probably spent four hours talking with him about the North Shuswap.

He also brings significant local government experience, has worked with people currently around the CSRD Board table, and has experience dealing with the Province. Those relationships and that background matter. A new Director has a steep learning curve, and experience can shorten it considerably.

For those reasons, I have already voted for Mitch Campsall.

You should make your own decision, based on the candidate you believe has the right skills, temperament and experience for the job.

Whomever you decide to support, please do vote. Last time, only about 30% of eligible voters turned out. Your vote is your chance to have a say in who represents our community for the next four years.

Let your voice be heard — if you don’t vote, you can’t complain about the result.

General Voting Day
Saturday, October 17, 2026 — 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

North Shuswap Community Hall
5456 Squilax-Anglemont Road, Celista

Lakeview Community Centre
7703 Squilax-Anglemont Road, Anglemont