Anyone here going to the Bruno Mars concert? Kinda wanna ask to ride along otw back to Abby since I dont drive yet 😭 I’ll contribute gas + mcd’s drive thru on me!

Did anyone else see that horrific car crash on old Yale road, I saw it around 9:59 pm one car hit a pole while the other hit the bushes in opposite directions, I hope all parties involved are doing okay. 🙏

YES!!!

I used to not bother. And I wasn’t alone: in Abbotsford, only about 25% of eligible voters use their right to vote in civic elections.

Even now, it’s tempting to not bother. There’s a ton of candidates. I mean, who’s got time to wade through all their published platitudes to find out what they really think about stuff that matters?

The thing is:

• Your vote has more 'weight' locally than in any provincial or federal election (although OF COURSE you should vote in those too). Local government offers more hope of immediate, local change.
• Civic/local elections are often won by as few as a handful of votes. Don’t think yours won’t count.
• Even if you think your side is likely to lose (and let's face it, many Abbotsfordians will likely vote in any conservative with a pulse), your vote gives an important signal to other voters and to the people who may be inspired to run again in future elections.
• Local government and school board positions are where future B.C. and Canada leaders get experience, make connections, and start building their political careers. When I used to work as a reporter, I found it shocking how quickly some really ill-informed people running for local positions (that I interviewed!) ended up as Minister of X or Y just a few years down the road. Do you want just anyone on that track?
• Having also worked in civic elections, I can tell you that some interests are VERY motivated to show up while others sleep on their rights and then later bitch about not feeling represented. If you don’t show up, you’re leaving room for extremist bigots to take over and downgrade the system, like we see happening in the US. The thing with democracy is if we don't use it, it degrades.
• Even if you’re new to Abbotsford, and RENT rather than own, it’s your city... Population here is projected to increase rapidly over the next few years. Decisions made now are consequential. Do you want just anyone steering the ship?
• Even if you don’t have kids (yet, or ever!), picks for school trustee today will have impacts on the kids that will make consequential decisions for the community tomorrow. What kind of community values do we want our systems to embody?
• Even if you don’t like ANY candidates, it’s worth voting in sane, imperfect people that at least recognize the value of civil dialogue and rules-based order. We can't let the perfect be the enemy of the good (or even the passable!). Letting the unhinged take over would be far, far worse than someone we disagree with on a few issues.
• You can even drive-through vote -- a good option for people with kids, pets, mobility issues, or just wanna relax instead of standing in line! More info here about where/how.

FOR THOSE ASKING, HERE ARE MY PICKS

I took some time to investigate candidates for mayor, council, and school trustees. If anyone’s interested in my progressive-ish picks (and reasoning) for Mayor here, for Council members here, and trustees here. User Sierra93's spreadsheet here was my starting point for research (thanks Sierra93!!). If anyone has suggestions for how left-ish folks in Abbotsford can better share the work of vetting future candidates (since local media isn't shining at this) in the future, feel free to offer them here or DM me.

DON'T FORGET

Oct. 17, this Saturday, is your LAST CHANCE to vote. More info about voting here.

TIP:

You can't use your phone in a voting booth so write down whomever you plan to vote for.

Does anyone know what was happening here? I saw a lady on the ground. It looked like she was getting arrested.

Sukhi Dhami for Mayor of Abbotsford is promoting 'Priorities over Politics and People before Policy.'

I don't understand the - 'Priorities over Politics'. According to Wikipedia the definition of Politics Politics[a] is the activity of settling affairs in an organized society. [1] Politics is usually concerned with resolving issues within a society via a government. [1] Politicians are individuals engaged in the activity of politics.'

Does this mean that what's important to him will override the governance of Abbotsford?

And 'People before Policy'. Will Policy that governs Abbotsford be ignored to put some peoples actions above it?

I've looked at the and still don't get it. Does anyone here have any insight into the campaign tagline?

Priorities over politics.

People before policy.

Banman, Neufeld, and Kropp bail out of the only debate at the last minute. All three will probably win their riding easily, but don't have the backbone to face the electorate.

My wife’s having a baby there and so I’ve become accustomed to their:
- Cheap prices
- On-demand cooking
- Rotating menus
- Wide selection of staple products
- Comfortable seating area
- Workers calling me “honey”
- Clean establishment

This message not brought to you by big cafeteria, though I am open to sponsorship opportunities.

I can't eat diary products cuz it gives me bad acne. And recently I've been craving brownies or anything with chocolate in it 🥲 but I can't find any restaurants or bakeries that make vegan / dairy free desserts in Abbotsford - Chilliwack area. Do you happen to know any such place around? Thank you 😊

I am putting a message out there for anybody interested in clubbing, house parties, k!nk, 3. s0mes, night lifestyle, meeting new people, safe meet ups, bi curious, ect. If you get the vibe... reach out.

This message is designed for meeting like minded people, interested in getting to know each other. Explore different scenarios together. I am Abbotsford based. Reach out if this is something that interests you.

If anyone has good forum recommendations for this type of thing.. please let me know.

Hi everyone,

I was wondering where I could drop off some books I’m no longer using. They’re aimed for youth/young adults. I’d prefer to not give any money to value village, so I’d love to donate them to those “take one, leave one” community libraries or to a youth shelter.

Thanks :)

I dunno man, I just live here

Sorry I know this is random, but does anyone know a good place to just let out some emotion and scream? I lost my father in May and even with the counselling and medication everything is still so hard and I just want to take some time to be able to just scream and let it out without people just being able to stare and judge thank you

In two months (Dec 11), it will mark four years since 38-year-old Marc Ellis was hit by a car and killed on Lefeuvre Road after stopping after midnight to save a stray dog.

The occupants abandoned their 2019 red Dodge Ram at the scene and fled.

Authorities believe the driver and passenger attended a party nearby prior to the crash. The business owner the truck is registered to has refused to cooperate. People in our community know who was in that vehicle.

If you know who was there and are staying silent, how do you live with that decision?

If you hold religious beliefs, what answer will you give when you eventually stand before your higher power?

By staying silent, you are actively protecting those responsible and denying a grieving family answers. You carry that burden every day.

Please do the right thing. You can submit information 100% anonymously through Crime Stoppers or local police.

End the silence and help bring closure for Marc

If anyone here knows someone named Tessa Thiessen, can you let them know they dropped their credit card in the Willband creek trail.

They should report it as lost asap to lock it down.

I will dispose of it safely.

Others, with their big, obnoxious, stupid signs, not so much.

I know it’s under new ownership which is the biggest reason for this. But man I wanted to give them a shot. I really miss the in depth journalism from Tyler, both Graces and Joti. There was a large sense of community and hometown journalism by people who really live and breathe the Fraser Valley. It really felt like our communal news.

The original reporting is just not there with this new crew and the pulse on what’s happening in our region is non-existent. I wanted to give it a chance but the way they’ve outright neglected to cover anything about our local elections leaves a sour taste in my mouth.

I felt so much more informed in the 2022 municipal election cycle because the FVC did great in depth reporting clarifying each candidates‘ policies and positions. This year? I’m relying on platitudes politicians are all giving on their socials and luckily on the helpful analysis of fellow redditors here. But overall, I feel so much less informed this time around because the local news outlet I relied on is a shell of its former self. Overall, this election cycle felt like a big test for the new group and I feel they failed to meet the moment.

I don’t know. Call this a rant. Call it a lamentation. I guess I just missed the old FVC. Thanks to those who read this. Just felt like airing out some frustrations and was wondering if anyone else felt this way.

Bit of a minor topic, but I am curious with demographics how many Sabaton fans we have locally .

I find based on events at the Rogers Forum that there doesn't seem to be the largest metal scene locally and I am left wondering how much that is venue promoters thinking there isn't a market here and how much is there actually isn't a market here.

It was a bit of a trip back and forth after work, but I think it was worth it, sore the next day I will tell you that.

So how many other Abbotsford residents were there?