There are now four candidates seeking the North Cowichan council seat vacated by Debra Toporowski.
Becky Hogg and Johanne Kemmler filed their nomination papers this week, joining Joanna Lord, a former teacher with strong links to the NDP and the union movement, and retired teacher and administrator David Bellis in the race.
The by-election will be held on April 12.
Hogg is a small business owner who says she has been directly affected by what she calls “street disorder in our core.” She would like to see North Cowichan trim expenses in order to avoid continual tax increases.
“The average North Cowichan resident cannot afford the continuous increases,” she says.
Johanne Kemmler filed her nomination papers on Tuesday but does not have an internet presence yet. She is a former trustee for Cowichan School District #79 and listed her residence as Duncan. Originally from Crofton, she graduated from Chemainus Secondary School in 1978.
Toporowski was elected NDP MLA for the Cowichan Valley in October’s provincial election, leading to her resignation from North Cowichan’s seven-person council as well as her position on Cowichan Tribes council.
Two advance voting opportunities will take place on April 2 and April 8 at the North Cowichan Municipal Hall.
Chemainus voters will cast their ballots at the Fire Hall on April 12.
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