Dear Editor,
Andrew Stone, sitting Councillor and declared candidate for Mayor has withdrawn from the race. Stone was one of four mayoral candidates following the official finalization of candidates by 4:00 p.m., Friday, 17 October. A number of candidates had withdrawn prior to this official deadline. What makes Stone’s withdrawal different is that it came two weeks after the official exit deadline had passed and after Stone had launched what appeared to be a committed campaign with costly adds in The Undercurrent, a dedicated Facebook site and the posting of an ambitious profile and platform on the municipality’s website.
His surprise exit required high-level approvals of the Bowen Island Municipality and the Provincial Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development.
From the onset Mr. Stone’s candidacy appeared to be overshadowed by the campaign of Mr. Rhodes, the more obvious representative of the pro-development fraction. It seems that Stone’s candidacy carried the risk of splitting the vote and his withdrawal creates more control over the outcome.
Mr. Stone has not offered any sincere reasons for his decision to the public and the electorate is left to speculate. Was Mr. Stone strategically pitched as a throw away candidate? Is there a rift in the pro-development camp? Was Stone bought or bullied?
Whatever the answers to these questions, the campaign appears to be on track for Tim Rhodes. The electorate is free to evaluate and respond on voting day.
For me Stone’s conduct makes a mockery of the democratic process on Bowen Island.
Lesley Gaunt
