Two More Candidates For Vernon Council

Written by Peter McIntyre 107.5 KISSFM Friday, 26 September 2014 13:00

The list of candidates for Vernon council is growing. Kari Gares is the seventh person to declare a run for city councillor. Gares says as a mortgage broker, she sees first hand the challenges many families face, and she stresses the need for business development and infrastructure creation. The 38 year old also says politics is in her blood. "My grandfather was an alderman for the city of Vernon between 1959-1964. He was a progressive thinker who believed that Vernon could be something special. I would like to help my grandfather realize this by trying to finish what he started all those years ago," says Gares.

Two term incumbent Bob Spiers -- council's so called financial watch-dog -- will also run again. Spiers says he will continue to vote for required projects, but will never authorize frivolous or unnecessary spending. "A councillor who pledges to revisit the water rates issue to achieve fairness and equity for all users! A fair water rates formula must be implemented. I will continue to support prioritized capital works - rehab and repair instead of political & cosmetic capital works projects," says Spiers in a statement. The retired brokerage manager says he has picked up his nomination package and will run if I can find two people willing to nominate him. "I have been encouraged by past supporters that my presence on council is still warranted and my stance of Property Tax Watchdog is appreciated," says Spiers, who becomes the eight candidate to declare for councillor, and the fourth of the current councillors. Others to declare runs for councillor are Jack Gilroy, Shawn Lee, Dalvir Nahal, and incumbents Brian Quiring, Catherine Lord, and Juliette Cunningham. Declared candidates for mayor are Victor Cumming, Jamie Morrow, Akbal Mund, Mary-Jo O'Keefe, and Klaus Tribes. The official nomination period for all municipalities, regional districts and school boards is September 30 to October 10, with elections to be held November 15.