By Danielle Pope, Monday Magazine, 18 August 2011
As Monday Magazine reported, Ben decided to run for council to "create some serious change."
Exciting news for progressive-minded Victoria residents this week: long-time political/historical buff Ben Isitt has announced he will be running for Victoria City Council come the November election.
Isitt ran for the position of Vic mayor twice, winning 32 per cent of the vote in 2002 and 44 per cent in 2005. But the Fernwood native, who has his PhD in history and is heading back to UVic to snag a PhD in law, bowed out of the mayoral challenge to spend more time with his family. Six years later, Isitt says it’s time to give it another go, this time on the council side.
“I felt like there would be more balance with running for council, and it’s a valuable position where you can create some serious change,” says Isitt, who already has his up-and-running website (BenIsitt.ca), army of volunteers and campaign platform worked out. The platform covers everything from a community violence prevention program to an emphasis on urban agriculture opportunities to a comprehensive review of the current police budget. Isitt says his mandate is to combine progressive politics with fiscal responsibility.
“We plan to door campaign the entire city at least once,” he says, adding that he will be running as an independent. “And I would be thrilled to work with whoever Victoria decides to place around that table.”
