Merritt’s by-election candidates engage with locals at Merritt Civic Centre forum

MERRITT — Merritt held a forum last night (April 3rd, 2024) for the four candidates looking to get a seat on City Council in the upcoming by-election.

Yvette Baxter, Peter Coghill, Michael “MJ” Phillips and Norma Jean Littleton all spoke to the public, addressing their platforms and answering questions from the host and public.

The by-election is meant to replace the role left by ex councilor Claire Newman who passed away after a hit and run last summer.

The winner will serve until 2026, which was the rest of Claire’s term and the election will take place Saturday, April 20th (2024.)

The forum, hosted by the Merritt & District Chamber of Commerce, was a chance for candidates to discuss issues around the City of Merritt and engage with the public answering questions about the community.

Yvette Baxter was interested in strengthening the connection between local bands and city councilors, to get a more represented voice of the entire Nicola Valley.

“I want to work closely with the local bands because what happens to us happens to them,” Baxter says.

“I also want to focus on the water treatment plant and make sure it is sustainable for the future. Also the Nicola River’s floodgates were built in the 1970’s and need an update.”

“I want to make sure they are sustainable. I also want to make sure we don’t lose flood funding, I want us all to have a future here and not lose it.”

Yvette has lived in Merritt her whole life and is a Teacher’s aide at the Merritt Secondary School for special needs children. “This is my home, this is where I want to retire.”

Peter Coghill made it clear that he is a very family oriented candidate. He puts his family first and wants all of Merritt to be able to keep their family members in the area, so they are not forced to move elsewhere for work.

Peter says “I’d like to revitalize the town by trying to bring companies here and stop them from leaving.

“We need a community here where families can thrive. I’ve talked to a few people around town and their biggest concern was revitalizing the community with some sort of revenue be it tourism or businesses.”

“Our sons and daughters have to leave elsewhere for work often, it would be nice for them to stick around so that families can stay united.”

“We need sustainability and affordability which includes making houses more affordable here.”

Peter has six children, he went to high school in Williams Lake and has a history of work in saw mills also getting an education in Engineering.

Norma Jean Littleton is a wife, mother and grandmother and taught school for twenty years up north. She is also an artist and musician.

Norma says “I’d like to clean up downtown Merritt more.”

“The water is a concern for me, there is chlorine in the water and I’d like to learn more about Merritt’s water system.”

“There are people that still haven’t returned home from the floods three years ago. I’d hope there was counseling for those affected and still are not living in their homes years later.”

“I’d like closure with the flood and to make sure the funding is there.”

“I’d also like to see more incentives for businesses or rebates so they can thrive in Merritt and stay clean.”

For Michael “MJ” Phillips, he was born and raised in Lytton.

He says “We have a lot of services in this town that cost us a lot of tax dollars.”

“We have to find a way to get them to sustain themselves so that the tax money can be used elsewhere on infrastructure. We have to consider where a lot of the money is going.”

“I’d like to raise the roads near the rivers two feet to give Merrittonians more time to evacuate during floods.”

“I’ve also never seen a town that doesn’t pave all the way up to the sidewalk. It creates a lot of dust in Merritt.”

“When it comes to your tax dollars we have to prioritize what comes first and where that tax money needs to go first or we’ll have no money. I want to join council so we can all work as a team to get things done that need to get done.”

The byelection takes place April 20th (2024) and the winner will serve as city councilor until November 2026.