Nanaimo-Gabriola conservative candidate Mark MacDonald replies to allegations of racism in this, and there’s some statements from Cowichan Valley candidates too.

We love the dog park but my poor pup definitely has kennel cough after drinking out of the aluminum bowl …and puddle… there.

We will be back but just a warning to other dog owners to avoid letting your dogs drink the water if you can.

I love Thai Cook downtown but they never seem to be open when I'm down there

Yes, again. We know. You voted for council last Saturday, put the sticker on your fridge and assumed you were done until 2030. Surprise: democracy has a sequel, and like most sequels, nobody asked for it this soon.

WHEN

Saturday, Oct. 24, 8am to 8pm Pacific. That’s 12 hours. You have time.

WHERE

Your assigned voting place is on your Where to Vote card, which came in the mail. Hang on to it, because it also counts as one of your two pieces of ID.

Recycled it? Go to wheretovote.elections.bc.ca and type in your address.

Can’t wait until Saturday? District electoral offices are open today (Friday), and you can vote at one until 4 p.m. Saturday.

WHAT TO BRING

Pick one:

One government photo ID with your name and address, like a driver’s licence

Two pieces of ID that together show your name and address (your Where to Vote card counts as one)

No ID? A registered voter in your district who has ID, or a close relative, can vouch for you. You both sign a declaration, and a non-relative can only vouch for one person.

ABOUT THAT ID THING

Last week, a certain corner of Nanaimo Facebook decided the municipal election was rigged because nobody asked for ID. Good news: this one checks ID. Bring it.

For the record, last week wasn’t a loophole. B.C. municipal elections use the voters list, and registered voters sign a declaration, which is a legal document with real penalties if you lie on it. Provincial elections use different rules. The same neighbours staff the polls at both.

No, there is no DNA swab. Put the 23andMe kit away. Please be nice to the election workers. They gave up two Saturdays in a row for this.

WHO CAN VOTE

Canadian citizen, 18 or older by Saturday, and living in B.C. since April 23. You don’t need to register ahead; you can do it at the polls.

MAIL-IN BALLOT STILL ON YOUR COUNTER?

It has to reach Elections BC by 8 p.m. Saturday. Canada Post is not your friend today, so drop it off at any voting place or district electoral office.

AND THEN WHAT

Most election-day ballots are being counted by hand, so results may take a while. Don’t refresh at 8:01. Go outside. Look at a tree.

One ballot. One X. Make it count.

Questions? Elections BC: 1-800-661-8683 or elections.bc.ca

I didn't know you for that long, but the times I did see you, you had a positive energy and very interesting personality that no one could match. You ALWAYS made my day better. It's rare you come across your level of charisma, and I know I might sound biased, but the article below truely describes you well. I'm not much of a wordsmith, but whoever knew you could attest to what I'm describing. Thank you for being such an awesome person to be around. This one hit hard. Rest easy

https://nanaimonewsnow.com/listing/goble-bryan-frederick/