Next MHA from Topsail?

Below is a copy of a comment I left on Ed Hollet's blog Bondpapers regarding who may run to fill Beth Marshall's vacant seat now that she has been appointed to the Senate. I'll post more on Marshall's appointment later today.

When I first heard the Marshall announcement the two names that came to mind were Dan Bobbett and Allan English.

It’s no secret that Bobbett wanted the deputy mayor’s chair and eventually the mayor’s job. He has said that. And like so many mayors in the province - including our former mayor Diane Whalen – the next logical step would be run for the House. Whether or not that’s where he was headed is pure speculation on my part. He did, however, run a highly organized and expensive campaign last fall. That’s where I think Bobbett was heading. And his star was rising. His was on numerous committees, spoke out against the raid development of the town, but this seemed to change once he got elected. When he said Ralph “gets things done”, he lost my vote.

Unfortunately for Bobbett, he did not take a run for mayor last fall. This hurt him in two ways. By running, he would have received the anti-Wiseman vote, been seen as someone standing up to the developers (and Wiseman) and likely would have won. That would have positioned him well if he decided to give the HOA a go.

Also, if his threw his name into the ring, Coombs - who filed papers on the last day for nominations - would likely not have run for mayor. But Bobbett decided to run for councillor effectively hitched his horse to the wrong wagon. Many viewed him as siding with developers (and Wiseman). In fact, some of the people on the concerned citizens committee, of which Bobbett was a member, felt they he had turned his back on them. The end result? Despite spending all that money, he barely made it back onto council, receiving the second smallest number of votes of any councillor. Two newbies received more votes than he did. That speaks volumes.

English, on the other hand, likely has no aspirations of a provincial run but if he did, he would have to be an early favourite. He’s very popular and well-respected within town - not only for his volunteer work and the job he did as councillor and now as deputy major - he was seen as the only one from the previous council to stand up and question both Wiseman and the rapid development of the town. In the last election, he won the highest number of votes of any incumbent. And remember, some incumbents were voted off the island. It’s unlikely, however, English will run. He will be the next mayor of Paradise, if he wants it. (Depending, of course, on the Supreme Court ruling expected next week).

All that being said, either Bobbett and/or English may still give it a go.

But the intriguing thing in this is that Coombs is now the wildcard. If he runs, it may force others with aspirations to seriously reconsider.

Again, this is pure speculation on my part. Take it for what it is. I’ll have more on my blog this weekend.