BRONCO’S FINAL RIDE

During all the bluster and chaos of local government elections, you might have missed the announcement that Bill “Bronco” Moncrief died on Sept. 15 at Glacier View Lodge.

Recent newcomers to the Comox Valley are not likely to know Bronco, but he played a key role in shaping the community for almost a half-century.  His passing should be noted.

Moncrief got his nickname because he was a fiery individual who could ignite at a moment’s notice. And it was a rough ride if you had struck the match.

He was first elected in 1967 as a Village of Cumberland Alderman and then served as mayor for more than 30 years, starting in 1969.

WHAT IS MANNO DOING IN GREECE?

Poor Manno Theos. The incumbent seeking re-election to Courtenay City Council has been maligned on social media and on this website over whether he has a serious commitment to his elected position.

For most of the last four years, Theos has lived in Nanaimo and has been absent from the full array of council member obligations. And he’s been completely absent during this election campaign, spending his time in Greece.

After photos appeared online that show him in vacation mode, which drew criticisms on social media and on Decafnation, Theos floated the idea that he was there to handle his father’s estate.

He made it sound like his father had died recently and that he was there on a somber mission that he had been prevented from carrying out because of the pandemic. He painted himself as a victim of unfair criticism.

But thanks to community sources, we have learned that Theos’ dad died four and a half years ago, two years before the pandemic. Theos has flown to Greece since his father died and before the Covid lockdown began.

So, not a recent death, plenty of time to handle affairs, a pre-Covid trip to Greece, and photos of him “vacationing.”

Meanwhile, Theos has missed the entire campaign. Maybe he didn’t want to answer questions about his residency and commitment to council work. The trip seems poorly timed for a politician seeking re-election, or maybe not.

But hanging out in Greece hasn’t stopped Theos from attacking Mayor Bob Wells and other council members on his social media pages.

And, perhaps most egregiously, Theos recently posted a negative attack on Councillor Melanie McCollum. McCollum just lost her mother to a bicycle-truck accident and is actually grieving. But no condolences from Theos who claims he’s still grieving four years later.

We hope personal integrity still matters to Courtenay voters and that they give Theos a good reason to stay in Nanaimo.

LIES AND MORE DAMN LIES

When you run for public office, you have to expect intense scrutiny of everything about you. And it helps to have a Teflon coat so that the lies and unfounded attacks never stick.

Electoral Area A Director Daniel Arbour recently issued a public statement after negative phone calls were made claiming that he was funded or controlled by the Rockefeller Brothers Foundation.

“This is crazy. My campaign expenses will be about $1,700 and it looks like a handful of residents across Area A are covering the bulk of it,” Arbour said. “I was saddened to hear from one of our elders on Hornby who had received a call and was shocked and confused by the claims and accusations made against me … Shame on the person or group who is fabricating this nonsense. If I was richer and had time on my hand, I would hire a lawyer … and sue them for defamation.”

SHADOWY RIGHT-WING GROUPS POPPING UP EVERYWHERE

Climate denial has been a stealth candidate in several BC municipal elections, according to a review by The Energy Mix and published in The Watershed Sentinel.

“When voters go to the polls, some will be able to cast their ballot for candidates running as members of a “slate” backed by elector organizations like Surrey First, founded in 2008 by a group of citizens concerned about rampant development in their community. But a number of other such civic political parties are very new on the scene, including Maple Ridge First, ParentsVoice BC, Viva Victoria, and Kelowna’s Spirit Alliance, all of which were founded in September, a review by The Energy Mix has found.”

Read the full article here.