Clerks at Coquitlam city hall are getting ready for the next civic election.
But a key role is set to change hands for the vote on Oct. 15, 2022.
In March, city council appointed Stephanie Lam as chief election officer and Jay Gilbert as the deputy chief election officer.
Tonight (May 30), council is due to replace Gilbert with Katie Karn, who joined the municipality this month as city clerk and has run general local elections in the past.
According to a report from Stephanie James, Coquitlam’s general manager of legislative services, the city will begin to hire about 200 pre-election and election day workers in June.
Staff are also set to adjust remuneration based on stipends paid by other Metro Vancouver jurisdictions at election time.
The role changes come as the city is due to be in the Vancouver Law Courts on June 21 on a byelection challenge.
Currently, two Coquitlam residents have announced their council candidacies with the Tri-City News (In alphabetical order):
- Matt Djonlic = executive assistant to B.C.'s finance minister Selina Robinson (MLA for Coquitlam-Maillardville)
- Ali Tootian = Gleneagle Secondary teacher
Meanwhile, if you’re thinking about running for civic office, the Coquitlam Public Library will host a workshop — with the Coquitlam incumbents — on June 14 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at the City Centre branch (1169 Pinetree Way).
For more information, you're encouraged to visit the library's website.
