Another Day in Paradise

Later today, defeated mayoral candidate for the town of Paradise, Kurtis Coombs, will file an appeal with the Supreme Court of Newfoundland to have the election results from the September 29th election overturned. This follows in the wake of not one, but two recounts that saw the election end in a tie and Ralph Wiseman being named winner after his name was drawn from a recycling bin. (The irony can’t be lost here.)

While the procedure for breaking the tie was followed as outlined by law in the Municipalities Act, it is an archaic way to decide a winner – of anything - let alone the mayor of a town with 14,000 residents. But the law is the law.

Where the law is ambiguous, lies in the way a winner is decided if a second recount ends in a tie such as the case here. Coombs is arguing that since the judicial recount ended in a tie there should be another draw.

If the Supreme Court upholds his appeal and his name is drawn, Coombs plans to immediately call for another election – something that many residents wanted in the first place. Wiseman had an opportunity to take the high road and do the same thing, but he refused stating that he is following the law.

But Wiseman’s real reason stems from fear that he would lose another vote. Judging by the public outrage witnessed in online comments at The Telegram and CBC, Facebook petitions and so on, he’s probably right. It's somewhat ironic that the man most despised in Paradise, is its mayor.

Now some will argue that it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie - that Coombs should wait another four years then run. Some say he’s too young, lacks experience and is not up to the task of running a town. Bullshit. He’ll learn a lot more in four years as mayor than he would from four years at MUN.

Besides, the mayor does not run the town. He cuts ribbons, smiles at social functions and is a member of various committees. He is just one voice on a council of seven. The decisions affecting the town are made by the mayor and council. They are guided by the town planner, committees, money, public opinion and above all - common sense. Unfortunately, Wiseman lacks the latter. He did things his own way and came off as a pompous, arrogant, belligerent loud mouth.

And now, regardless of the outcome of the court challenge by Coombs, Wiseman will be always be remembered as the political hack who ran for the sake of running, lost to a 19 year old and was a sore loser. Despite the outcome of the appeal, Wiseman has already lost.