Something tells me we'll be going from one extreme to the other.
Last month's municipal election didn't feature a mayor's race as no one stepped up to challenge long-time incumbent Lois Jackson, who ended up being acclaimed. Given Jackson has dispatched foes with regularity over the last decadeand-a-half, and that she announced her sixth term would be her last, I suspect potential challengers felt it simply wasn't the right time.
So while this year's election was a non-event, the next one - and it won't be for four years thanks to provincial legislation that lengthened terms - could well be one for the ages.
It wouldn't surprise me that five of the six members that make up Jackson's council are at least thinking about making a run for the big chair in 2018. It's highly unlikely that all five would throw their hats in the ring at the same time, but they all have legitimate reasons to believe they could be the electorate's choice to replace Jackson.
Four of them have, at one time or another, been the top vote-getter among council candidates and the fifth one finished second this time around. Two have already run for mayor and two others have sought provincial office. By 2018, all of them will have spent at least seven years on council.
So, what you've got is an ambitious, experienced group that has been unable to climb the last rung of the municipal ladder because Jackson has held sway for longer than all but one mayor in Delta's 135-year history.
As I've mentioned before, Jackson's unusually lengthy tenure has meant those that might have ascended to the top job in another era have been denied that step due to her incredible longevity. That's not meant as a slight because there's been ample opportunity for challengers to take her on, but the unique situation has built up a pool of possible successors unlike any time in recent history.
Members of that quintet have to be thinking that four years from now is their best, and in some cases last, chance to grab the brass ring. If they don't act when the seat is vacant, do they stand much hope four years later when the 2018 victor has morphed into an always hard-to-knock-off incumbent?
It will be interesting to see how councillors position themselves as this term plays out, to see who tries to convince voters they are mayor material. I honestly don't know who will emerge from that pack, but what I do know is the next election is going to make up for last month's yawner.
