Kind of a shocker when the NPA list of candidates was released yesterday.

Unless I’m really missing something, they’ve essentially handed control of the school board to Vision/COPE for the next election, since they’re only running four candidates for the nine-member board. At park board, they’re field four candidates for seven positions. And at council, they’ll have 10 people running for 10 spots, but there won’t be any vote-off in June since there’s no competition.

I have to say, I’m surprised by this. I would have thought potential NPA candidates would be thinking, “Okay, we’re not going to win a majority this time, but by 2014, a lot more people may be getting tired of Gregor and his team. So I’ll run and get a minority spot in this election, but then in 2014, I’ll be an experienced hand and potentially part of a majority government.”

So either an awful lot of people are thinking that there’s no chance even in 2014 or they don’t see the NPA as being a vehicle that represents them or … I don’t know what. Some part of this may be the provincial/federal election fatigue that’s afflicting both parties.

Even Vision Vancouver, apparently, (they haven’t released THEIR list of candidates yet) isn’t seeing a huge amount of competition for its open spots, whatever those open spots are. (We don’t know exactly what’s open yet. There’s been a lot of speculation about whether George Chow is running again. Every time I ask someone in Vision what’s happening with him, they get a funny look on their faces and tell me I have to ask George. George hasn’t responded to my phone calls or emails. Yoohoo, George, can you let us know? Deadline is past.)

But even so, it’s quite amazing to see the once-powerhouse NPA not be able to fill its roster.

The NPA list/news release below

NPA candidates offer business and community experience
Vancouver, BC – The Vancouver Civic Non-Partisan Association (NPA) has attracted a diverse group of business and community representatives as prospective candidates for the November 2011 civic election in Vancouver. The NPA Board of Directors approved the following business and community leaders for consideration by its members at the June 4th NPA nomination meeting at the Vancouver Croatian Culture Centre.
NPA Candidate for Mayor:
Suzanne Anton, two term Vancouver City Councillor. Former Vancouver Park Board Commissioner, Crown Prosecutor, Mathematics teacher (CUSO), Member of ARKS CityPlan  committee, Member of Vancouver City Planning Commission, and, Director Riley Park Community Association.
NPA Candidates for City Council:
George Affleck, President & CEO of Curve Communications and Community Leader.
Elizabeth Ball, Former NPA City Councillor and Arts Advocate.
Sean Bickerton, Partner of Kulture Shock Media and Community Leader.
Joe Carangi, Lawyer and Community Problem Solver.
Ken Charko, Entrepreneur, Owner of Dunbar Theatre and President of Charko Investments.
Mike Klassen, President of Thinking Cap Inc., Fraser Street Area Community Leader and Noted Blogger.
Jason Lamarche, Small Business Banker, Community Organizer and Dog Lover.
Francis Wong, Business owner and VP of Vancouver Chinatown Business Improvement Area Society.
Bill Yuen, Professional Engineer and former School Board Trustee.
NPA Candidates for Parks Board:
Dave Pasin, President of InTech Environmental Canada Corp. and Community Sports Leader.
Casey Crawford, Customer Relationship Professional and Community Volunteer.
John Coupar, Marketing Professional and Parks Advocate.
NPA Candidates for School Board:
Ken Denike, current School Board Trustee and Professor Emeritus at UBC.
Stacy Robertson, Lawyer, Parent and Community Volunteer.
Fraser Ballantyne, longstanding Vancouver School Board Administrator and Education Leader.
Adding to the above NPA roster are previously approved candidates:
For City Council:
Bill McCreery, Urban Development Consultant, former Parks Commissioner and Neighborhood Advocate.
For Parks Board:
Melissa De Genova, Business Professional, Community and Youth Advocate.
For School Board:
Sophia Woo, Mental Health Clinician and Community Leader.
 
Members of the NPA will vote at the nomination meeting on June 4th, 2011 at the Vancouver Croatian Cultural Centre on Commercial Drive.
“The NPA Board has reviewed all of the applications and is very pleased with the scope, talent, experience and diversity of our prospective candidates, “ said John Moonen, President of the NPA. “Each bring unique skills, a desire for change, a passion for Vancouver communities and a commitment to non-partisan politics in the best interests of the city. Together, this team is dynamic, forward-looking and energizing.”
Candidate profiles will be posted on the NPA website at www.npavancouver.ca. Updates and news can also be found at www.facebook.com/npavancouver or by following the NPA on Twitter at @NPAVancouver.
Vancouver’s Civic Non-Partisan Association (NPA) is an independent organization made up of citizens who live, work or own businesses or properties in the City of Vancouver. One of Canada’s longest established political organizations; the NPA has elected Mayors, City Councillors, Park Board Commissioners and School Board Trustees since 1938.