With 100 days to go to the civic election, Green Party
of Vancouver Chair Jacquie Miller is pleased to announce the Party's
four nominees for Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation and Vancouver
School Board: Stuart Mackinnon and Michael Wiebe for Park Board; and Mischa Oak and Janet Fraser for School Board.
Miller says the Party’s Candidate Screening Committee
has examined each of the applicants and is impressed that they will make
excellent candidates and be highly effective in their elected offices.
They join a strong Green Party Vancouver City Council team: Adriane
Carr, Cleta Brown and Pete Fry. The Candidate Screening Committee will
recommend that the Green Party of Vancouver’s members give their
official endorsement to these nominees at a September 7 nomination
meeting.
Seeking the Green Party of Vancouver members’ nomination for Vancouver Park Board are:
• Stuart Mackinnon:
Green Party of Vancouver Park Board Commissioner: 2008-11
2nd Vice President, VanDusen Botanical Garden Association
Teacher, 24 years; with Vancouver School District since 2001
Mackinnon is well known for advocating for an end to
cetacean captivity at the Vancouver Aquarium during his term on Park
Board and in recent debates. Having attended Park Board meetings for
years even before being elected to the Board, Mackinnon earned a
reputation as the most knowledgeable, well-prepared Park Commissioner
while in office. He has been a strong, consistent advocate for
maintaining Vancouver’s parks and green spaces in pristine condition.
Mackinnon says, “I'm running for Park Board with the
Green Party because I want to return Vancouver to the beautiful city
with parks and gardens it once was. A city where everyone can play in
their own neighbourhood, and where common sense and community values are
what drives decision-making.”
• Michael Wiebe
Owner, eight ½ restaurant lounge — based on sustainable values
Vice President, Mt Pleasant Business Improvement Association
Co-founder, Vancouver Lifeguard Association
Wiebe has had a love affair with Vancouver’s parks and
recreational facilities since childhood when he mapped out the
wheelchair accessibility of Stanley Park’s entire trail system at age
12. He went on to become a lifeguard for Vancouver Park Board at age 16.
In 2003, Wiebe co-founded the Vancouver Lifeguard Association; he
continues his love for parks, using them for ultimate frisbee, bocce,
soccer, and more.
“I’m running for Parks Board Commissioner because the
voices of our city have been lost,” says Wiebe. “I noticed this
firsthand on the Mount Pleasant Implementation Committee. We need to
take advantage of the opportunities this city has during a time of
growth to work together to maximize our resources and build more natural
parks and a healthier food system; foster grassroots community
initiatives; and create a sustainable waste management program. ”
Seeking the Green Party of Vancouver members’ nomination for Vancouver School Board are:
• Mischa Oak
Teacher-on-call, Vancouver School District
Vancouver Centre NDP Electoral District Association President, 2012-13
Vancouver Pride Society: former Board Member & Volunteer Coordinator
Oak is strongly motivated by his own experiences in
Vancouver schools both as a teacher-on-call who has worked in almost
every school in the city, and as a student growing up in Vancouver
schools. Prior to embarking on a career in education, Oak obtained a
degree in Commerce from Queen’s University. He has been active in a wide
range of community and political organisations.
“I’ve been a Vancouver teacher since 2008 and have
experienced firsthand the challenges our schools face,” says Oak. “As
your school trustee I will work to get the Vancouver School Board to
stand up to BC’s provincial government and demand fair funding for
public education. Too many kids and families face discrimination and
fear at school, so I have a plan to move our schools to be more LGBTQ +
Diversity Proud.”
• Janet Fraser
PAC Chair / Co-Chair for 10 years
Co-founder: Marpole Matters, a neighbourhood organisation
PhD chemist: 10 years’ experience in Vancouver’s biotech industry
As an active parent of school-aged children and
engaged resident of her Marpole community, Fraser knows the issues
facing Vancouver’s schools inside and out. As co-founder of the
neighbourhood organisation Marpole Matters, she has a reputation for
thoroughly informing herself on community issues and educating her
neighbours about matters affecting them.
“I’m seeking the Green Party nomination to run as a
school board trustee to make sure all of Vancouver’s children have the
opportunity to thrive at school and become engaged and successful
citizens,” Fraser says. “The core value I’ll bring to my role as School
Trustee is sustainability — sustainability of the school community, the
student family, and school infrastructure and processes.”
Learn more about Janet Fraser: www.vangreens.ca/schoolnominees
Green Vancouver City Councillor Adriane Carr urges
Vancouverites to elect the entire Green Team this November: “These are
excellent candidates with extensive community experience who will bring a
much-needed balance to our City Council, Park Board and School Board.
They’ve all got enthusiasm, a strong work ethic and dedication to
creating a better Vancouver. I couldn’t be happier with our entire
team.”
* * *
Green Party of Vancouver’s official nomination meeting for Park and School Board candidates: September 7, 11 a.m.; Alliance for Arts and Culture Boardroom, 938 Howe St., Vancouver. Click here for more info or to RSVP.
