ELECTION: Candidate says teamwork is vital
With almost 20 years experience in municipal government, Bob Baird is asking Merritt residents to vote for him again in the Sept. 15 byelection.
It’s not the first time that Baird — who has served four terms as mayor and four as an alderman/councillor — has put his name forward in a byelection. His first term as mayor was the result of a byelection and so was his last term as a councillor from 2003-2005.
This time, Baird says he’d like to use his experience to build a sense of teamwork among city councillors as they work together “for the common good.”
“Teamwork is lacking, and that’s not just my opinion,” he said. “Council needs a teamwork approach as opposed to individual agendas and I’m hoping the skills I have will aid in the process of improving the teamwork.”
Besides his time in politics, Baird served as a University College of the Cariboo board member for nearly seven years and as a B.C. Property Assessment Appeal Board member, both by appointment.
“These years gave me experience interfacing with different agencies and all of that helps,” he said, adding that his time on various boards taught him about cooperation. “I firmly believe that I can work with each of the councillors effectively; there is nothing better than experience.”
As a resident of Merritt for more than 50 years, Baird said he is glad to see five other candidates besides himself running in the byelection.
“It demonstrates a healthy interest in the future of our community,” he said, adding that he hopes voters will also take an interest on election day. “People should take advantage of the opportunity to vote.
“These are the freedoms people fought for and they shouldn’t go the way of the dodo bird.”
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