Mixed reviews on Reg Bowers charges, status on town council

People in Happy Valley-Goose Bay have mixed feelings now that Coun. Reg Bowers is facing three charges under the Canada Elections Act in relation to Peter Penashue's 2011 federal campaign.

Bowers isthe former official agent forPenashue and current town councillor in Happy Valley-Goose Bay.

The charges were laid in provincial court this weekin St. John's and relate to allegations of taking illegal contributions during Penashue's campaign in the general election.

• Reg Bowers, Peter Penashue's agent, charged under Elections Act
• Penashue's former agent 'unintentionally' accepted corporate donation

People in Happy Valley-Goose Bay seemed to havemixed reactions to the charges against one of their town councillors.

"By the way our laws work, he's innocent until proven guilty,so as of right now he's still innocent. So there's no reason to take his job away or punish him above and beyond what's been done already in terms of reputation and that," said John Greey.

I just would have liked to have an equal chance to win the confidence of the people of Labrador.- Todd Russell

"But I do think it would be appropriate for him to take some time off work and to focus on what he needs to focus on."

For Mabel Russell, Bowers is notthe only one who may or may not have been involved.

"It's overspending in all campaigns, it's just that he was unfortunate and he got caught," she said. "It don't bother me a bit [that he's on town council]. As far as I'm concerned, Reg Bowers is a pretty good man."

However, some people we're as forgiving and wanted to see him booted off council.

"He should be charged, I have no mercy there," said Bert May. "I personally believe no [he shouldn't sit on council]. I think he should be kicked out."

A spokesperson with the town said council will need to consult with a lawyer before commenting on the charges against Bowers or before addressing his status as a councillor.

Vindication for Russell

Todd Russell ran for the Liberals against Penashue in the 2011 election, but these days he leads the NunatuKavut community council.

For Russell, the charges against Bowers related to the Conservative campaign in that election are something of a vindication.

"I felt cheated from that night, until this," said Russell. "I don't wake up every morning and that's a big part of my life anymore, I just would have liked to have an equal chance to win the confidence of the people of Labrador."

Russell said more than anything, the controversy of the 2011 election caused people to lose faith in the system.

"A lot of people came to me afterwards and said, 'Todd, we didn't feel that our votes really were equal to everybody else's votes,' that somehow people weren't playing by the same rules that we were," he said.

Bowers is due in court June 8.