Barinder Rasode Rich on Opportunism, Short on Experience
Surrey (SEPT 20, 2014) – Responding to Barinder Rasode’s announcement of her mayoral campaign, Surrey First leader Linda Hepner questioned Rasode’s qualifications for the job of leading Canada’s fastest-growing city.
“After essentially running a campaign office for several months, which she called a ‘community hub’, it’s great to finally have transparency, and I welcome her to the race,” said Councillor Linda Hepner, who herself is running for Mayor of Surrey. “However, running a city takes more than one individual. It takes a team with experience. What this election is really about is who can do the best job for Surrey, and as we’ve seen, Barinder is accustomed to leaving teams in order to further her personal ambitions.
“The only thing this election is about is whether people feel better off now than they did nine years ago. Our team will once again put Surrey first , and ego second. Barinder takes us back to the days of a divided city council when it was hard to get anything done because politics got in the way of doing what was best for Surrey.
“Barinder left the Surrey Civic Coalition when she couldn’t win there, then joined Surrey First to get elected. When it was clear our team didn’t think she was capable of being an effective leader for Surrey, she left behind our collaborative, successful team to put herself first,” Hepner added.
After Surrey First leader Mayor Dianne Watts announced she was not running for re-election, Surrey First Councillors Linda Hepner, Judy Villeneuve, Tom Gill, Bruce Hayne, Barbara Steele, Mary Martin – and at the time – Barinder Rasode selected Linda Hepner as their new team leader. Barinder Rasode then left the slate.
“This is a classic case of Barinder first, not Surrey first,” said Councillor Gill. “Our achievements to date prove that Surrey First’s team approach works. We have people who come from the right, left and centre who know how to work as a team, get things done and consistently put Surrey first, not politics. We’re focused on continuing our track record of balanced growth, public safety and an inclusive city that meets the needs for all residents and families.”
The municipal election is on Saturday, November 15. Surrey First will be running three new candidates for Council, credit union leader Vera LeFranc, former RCMP Staff Sergeant Dave Woods, and retired firefighter Mike Starchuk.
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