Former Fernie mayor and current councillor for the City, Randal Macnair, has entered the race for the Kootenay East NDP nomination.

“I am excited to grow support for the NDP in this region as we build toward the provincial election next May and bring about the changes we need in British Columbia. I look forward to working hard to ensure Kootenay East is part of that positive change,” said Macnair.

Macnair served on the Board of the Regional District of East Kootenay for six years during his time as the mayor of Fernie. Now in his third term as a City councillor, he is also the owner and publisher of Oolichan Books, a local press recognized for its poetry and fiction.

Macnair believes his experience and background will lend itself to working in a region he already knows well. “My vision for an MLA for Kootenay East is somebody who listens to the people and is a good representative for the area,” Macnair commented. “We’ve got tremendous resources and tremendous promise in this part of the world and I think it’s important that it’s clear in Victoria what we have to contribute to the greater good of the province.”

While he has considered running in the past, Macnair said having locals ask him to run helped him make the decision to go for it this time. “In previous times my family was younger, they’re of an age now where running for an election and potentially being elected would be much more palatable from a personal standpoint.”

“It’s a huge commitment and you need to be aware of that and be in the right position that you can give absolutely everything you can give.”

Macnair is running against longtime Cranbrook resident and teacher, Norma Blissett, for the nomination. Kootenay East members of the National Democratic Party will decide on September 22 which of the two candidates will represent the NDP in the upcoming 2013 provincial election.

Source: The Free Press