SURREY FIRST TEAM RESPONDS TO MCCALLUM ANNOUNCEMENT

July 7, 2014

Surrey, BC: Today’s announcement that Doug McCallum is running for mayor in the city of Surrey was met with strong reaction by members of the Surrey First team.

Mayoralty candidate Linda Hepner, a founding member of the Surrey First team, says that she will continue to focus on the strong fiscal record of the Surrey First team and key agenda items the team is committed to in the next term. “I am committed to continuing the incredible work Dianne Watts and our team have started – which has established Surrey as one of Canada’s strongest city’s – socially and economically. I am only interested in seeing my city move forward.”

One of British Columbia’s longest serving and most respected civic elected officials, Surrey First team member Councillor Judy Villeneuve, calls the McCallum announcement “unfortunate”. “I have been a Councillor in Surrey with both Doug McCallum and Dianne Watts as mayor – and I would hate to see our city go backwards to McCallum’s style of leadership. Over the past eight years I’ve seen our city move in such a positive direct in so many areas, that is why I am so proud to be part of the Linda Hepner Surrey First team. I want Surrey to continue to be a community that we can all be proud of.”

Surrey First Background:

Surrey First, the independent, non-partisan team of community leaders seeking positive change in the City of Surrey includes Councillor Linda Hepner as the team’s candidate for mayor, Councillor Judy Villeneuve, Councillor Bruce Hayne, Councillor Tom Gill, Councillor Mary Martin, and Councillor Barbara Steele. Joining the Surrey First team as candidates are Vera LeFranc, an advocate for employment, poverty reduction, crime prevention, housing and homelessness, and community economic development; Dave Woods, a 43-year RCMP veteran and proponent for community safety and business development; and Mike Starchuk, the current Chief Fire Prevention Officer of the Surrey Fire Services and active community member in community health and safety initiatives.

Linda Hepner Background:

Linda Hepner has served on the Surrey City Council since 2005, where she oversaw a number of key portfolios including Economic Development, Agriculture, Parks and Recreation and Tourism, and the 2010 Olympic Games Committee. She spearheaded the Clean Energy & Technology Action Plan, organized the annual Regional Economic Summit, and served as Chair of the Whalley Implementation Team. She also represented Surrey on the Metro Vancouver Board of Directors, the Regional Planning and Agriculture Committee, the Utilities Committee, and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.

For more information visit: www.surreyfirst.ca .

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Reference:

Laura Ballance
LBMG
604-637-6646
604-771-5176 (cell)
[email protected]