Comox Valley Common Sense announced this week it is endorsing seven candidates each from Courtenay and Comox in municipal elections Saturday.
CVCS recommends Larry Jangula for mayor in Courtenay. For council, it suggests incumbents Manno Theos and Jon Ambler, former mayor Starr Winchester and new candidates Bill Anglin, Dave Smith and Marcus Felgenhauer.
Bernie Poole gets the nod for mayor in Comox. CVCS recommends re-electing Couns. Ken Grant and Tom Grant, while also electing Maureen Swift, Dave Procter, Dan Jackson and Terry Chester.
"We couldn't endorse everybody, and there's some good candidates," CVCS spokesperson John Davis said.
The CVCS has not endorsed any of the Cumberland candidates because it "didn't want to take on too much," spokesman John Davis said Wednesday, noting the organization focuses on Comox and Courtenay.
"We just don't know anything about what's going on in Cumberland. Certainly their issues are quite a bit different than our issues at the municipal level. We didn't mean to slight Cumberland, we just didn't have the capacity."
Spurred by low turnout at recent elections, the group is trying to generate interest in Saturday's elections.
The purpose of its pre-election survey was to have each candidate provide relevant information to help voters with their selection.
Though it's an independent organization not affiliated or funded by any group or party, the CVCS has elected to endorse candidates who in their opinion have a broad range of skills and who support programs that benefit the Valley. The group also considered candidates' experience at local or other levels of government, and positions taken on important issues.
Comox Valley Common Sense says it envisions an economically vibrant Valley that provides jobs, goods and services, and recreation opportunities.
It suggests local governments need to provide services efficiently and cost-effectively while pulling in the reins on spending and taxes.
reporter@comoxvalleyrecord.com