SPRINGHILL – Darrell White believes in the democratic process but says his decision to re-offer in municipal politics didn’t come easy.
White was elected to one term as councilor for the Town of Springhill in 2004 before bowing out in the 2008 election. He had considered not offering this term, too, but when nomination day came he filed his candidacy.
“I want to have another opportunity to serve on council,” White says.
Chief administrative officer for the Town of Oxford, White is already heavily involved in the political process and part of that process is the election. A part of his decision to offer his candidacy, he said, was to make sure the process is offered to constituents.
“I had heard there might not be a full slate to have an election so the candidates would be acclaimed,” White said. “I think people should have a choice and have a say who represents them.”
When White was elected in 2004, he had campaigned in a race that had 17 people on the ballot. Had White not offered this time around, incumbents Doug Dobson and Jack MacDonald, and political newcomers Harold Delaney and Lance Lockwood would have been acclaimed, leaving the election to mayoral candidate David Wyatt, Max Snow and incumbent Allen Dill.
When in office, White had the unique perspective of being both a councilor and CAO for two different communities at the same time and provided him with an experience he hopes to repeat.
“You have to understand your role as councilor; you have a staff and you follow their recommendations. There’s a fine-line there… and you have to have confidence in your staff.”
Confident in the staff, White hopes to work with them again when voters go to the polls Oct. 20.
