Several fresh faces are hoping for a seat on Saanich council in the upcoming election, while a vocal critic of the region’s sewage treatment project is gunning for mayor.
Richard Atwell, best known as director of the Sewage Treatment Action Group and for promoting an alternative sewage treatment plan, announced his intention to run last week.
Atwell becomes the first challenger to Mayor Frank Leonard ahead of the Nov. 15 election, a position Leonard has held since 1996.
Atwell plans to push for a governance review of the incapacitated Capital Regional District if elected.
All eight councillor incumbents are likely to run again and will face at least three new candidates.
Fred Haynes, a former biochemist now in the publishing industry, launched his campaign at the Heritage Café on West Saanich Road Thursday.
Haynes is chair of the Saanich Community Associations Network and is a past president of the Prospect Lake District Community Association.
Another council candidate is Colin Plant, president of the Royal Oak Community Association and former advisory committee member on the arts, environmental and health committees in Saanich.
He’s also a drama teacher at Claremont secondary and is involved with the Saanich Teachers’ Association.
Plant is known in Royal Oak for running his monthly RON Talks at Crumby’s Cafe.
Newcomer Shawn Newby is taking a run at council for the first time as well. Newby returned to Saanich in 2008 after working for Thrify Foods in Tsawwassen and touring with a band for several years.
The Saanich born-and-raised candidate runs a tile installation and construction company.
Other candidates are expected to come forward after the Labour Day weekend ahead of the Nov. 15 election.
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