David Cadman says hes over it.
Yes, he lost the nomination battle Sunday that would have seen him seek a fourth term on council as a member of COPE, a party he joined in 1976.
And, yes, he was the key COPE member who brokered the deal with Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»to run a coordinated campaign in what was a successful 2008 election for the party. But when he woke up Monday, after fielding calls from supporters wanting him to run as an independent, Cadman told them all he accepted defeat and it was time to move on. Thats what I believe in, he said Monday.
Earlier this year, COPE reached a power-sharing agreement with the ruling Vision Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»to run three candidates for council in this falls election campaign. Speculation prior to Sundays nomination meeting at John Oliver Secondary was that Cadman and fellow incumbent Coun. Ellen Woodsworth would be shoo-ins for two of the spots.
As it turned out, Cadman finished fourth with 309 votes while newcomer R.J. Aquino collected 316. Former councillor Tim Louis placed second with 345 and Woodsworth garnered the most support with 534 votes.
Cadman said he assumed that his years of work with the party, beginning with his run for mayor in 1999 which led COPE to win two seats on council (including Louis), three seats on school board and one on park board, would have assured him a spot on COPEs ticket.
He heard nothing from the partys membership that indicated any unhappiness with his work at council, he said, adding that was the irony of his defeat.
For me, Ive turned the page and Im looking and saying what are the things that I want to do with the years that remain, said the 63-year-old Cadman, who added that his partner, Marisa, was the happiest person in the room knowing the couple could spend more time together.
Louis, who lost a narrow nomination battle in 2008, praised Cadman for his work with COPE, although he didnt include his name on a leaflet he circulated at Sundays meeting; he asked supporters to vote for Terry Martin, who finished with 240 votes, and Woodsworth.
David Cadman, over the last 10 years, has done more for COPE than just anybody I can think of, Louis told the Courier. I want to congratulate him and thank him and wish him the very best in whatever endeavor he moves on to.
The nomination of Louis is an interesting turn of events for Vision. Earlier this year, Louis voted against the agreement by Vision and COPE to run a coordinated campaign.
Louis said he will abide by the wishes of the COPE membership, which voted overwhelmingly in favour of the deal. But when asked whether that means he supports Gregor Robertson as Visions mayoral candidate, Louis wouldnt say.
Im working very hard to build support for COPE, he said. I just got nominated yesterday. I havent put my mind to bigger questions like that.
Louis said his track record when he was a park board commissioner and councillor shows he has worked with the NPA and Vision to implement such initiatives as an ethical purchasing policy and food policy council.
Ian Baillie, executive director of Vision, said the party isnt concerned with Louiss unwillingness to answer the question of whether he supports Robertson.
Baillie said the fact Louis said he will support the wishes of COPE members is good news since the majority of COPEs members supported the power-sharing agreement, which includes promoting Robertsons re-election.
Were going to have a very good election this fall, Baillie said.
The civic election is Nov. 19.
Twitter: @Howellings
