The candidates for the Nov. 19 local government and school board elections have been announced, and as long as there are no challenges or candidate withdrawals, the battle lines have been drawn.
There were a few surprises in the run-up to the nomination deadline, especially with the longtime public servants who decided it was time to leave the political arena.
First, all of us should give thanks to those who have served and are willing to spend the next three years of their lives to better their communities to the best of the abilities.
We were a bit surprised when longtime south-end school Trustee Peter Penner decided to pack it in. It wouldn't have been an easy decision for him, as education and student advancement played a huge role in his life.
He deserves thanks for working hard through both the good and tough times.
Cariboo Regional District Area H Director Art Dumaresq had also spent numerous years serving his constituents and the regional district as a whole. He, too, will be missed and can hold his head high as he leaves to concentrate on his family and growing business.
District of 100 Mile House councillors Jeanne Best and Mel Torgerson have also stepped away from council to concentrate on their jobs. They worked through difficult budget processes and deserve our gratitude for their service.
Municipal and school district politics are so different from the provincial and federal gong shows that we deal with basically at arms length because of burgeoning bureaucracies.
Our local politicians are very restricted in what they can or cannot do, and because they must balance their budgets, it can be very frustrating when taxpayers keep asking for more and more services, but without an increase in taxes.
It's a tough job and that may be why there are so few races in the South Cariboo.
Margo Wagner and Ron Lister are running for Dumaresq's seat, and Area L Director Bruce Rattray will have to fend off Tom Baraniak's bid.
The only other race is for the mayor's chair in 100 Mile House between incumbent Mitch Campsall and Maureen Pinkney.
We wish all of the candidates good luck during the campaign, and thank those who have retained or claimed seats through acclamation.
