Monday, August 25, 2008

Kanakos seeks nod as provincial candidate

I hope Jeannie gets the nomination and wins in the election. She would be an important and strong addition to the legislature. I was very disappointed when she did win last time.

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First-term municipal councillor announces she's going for B.C. Liberal nomination in the riding of Delta North

The Delta Optimist

Published: Saturday, August 23, 2008

Delta Coun. Jeannie Kanakos announced this week that she will take another stab at provincial politics.

Kanakos announced Tuesday that she is seeking the B.C. Liberal nomination in Delta North.

"What I have learned while serving on council for the past three years is how important it is for North Delta to have a strong voice in Victoria," she said. "The residents of North Delta have not had representation and it shows."

Kanakos was the Liberal candidate in the riding in 2005. She lost the seat to NDP candidate, and current MLA, Guy Gentner by less than 1,000 votes.

She was elected to Delta council later in 2005.

Kanakos said the decision to put her name forward for the Liberal candidacy was not made quickly.

"I did a fair amount of soul searching," she said. "I did speak to many community leaders who did encourage me to run.

"I love my community here in North Delta and I want to bring more attention to the issues facing North Delta to the cabinet table and the provincial legislature."

Kanakos is not the only person seeking the nomination as another North Delta politico hopeful has put his name forward.

Anyone wishing to seek the candidate's spot in a riding must be a Liberal member for at least 41 days prior to the nomination meeting.

The next provincial election will be held on May 12, 2009.

Chad Pederson, spokesperson for the Liberal Party of B.C., said the party has to hold 85 candidate selection meetings across the province before next spring's election.

In some ridings that process has already taken place, however no meeting date has been set yet for Delta North.

Before the process can get under way in any riding, sitting MLAs have to make their intentions known and then the party will discuss with the local riding associations when the nomination meetings will be held. However, the party will make the final decision.

He said the meetings could be held any time in the summer, fall or even the spring.

The next municipal election is slated for Nov. 15.

As for what her decision will mean for her future in municipal politics, Kanakos said her sole focus for the time being is winning the nomination.

"My job right now is to seek the nomination for the B.C. Liberals," she said.



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