BY JUDI DUPONT
Special to the Times
Former Okanagan Falls teacher and school trustee Sam Hancheroff is the New Democratic Party candidate for the Boundary-Similkameen riding in next month’s provincial election.
“After more than a decade of Liberal government, our people in Boundary-Similkameen are looking for positive change,” said Hancheroff. “I am running because I want to give our communities a strong voice in a new NDP government.”
Hancheroff said the most important issues concerning people of the riding are the environment and environmental awareness, including environmental stewardship and maintaining clean water and watershed; seniors’ care; health care; education; and the trades.
“Our province has a great opportunity on May 14,” said Hancheroff. “I will work to change B.C. for the better, one practical step at a time.”
Hancheroff was a teacher for 33 years and a school trustee for eight years. He was also a trustee for both the Okanagan Falls and Kaleden Irrigation districts for 14 years. He and his wife, Barbra Paterson, have a blended family of four children and five grandchildren.
Hancheroff was voted in with more than the required 50 per cent plus one votes cast at the NDP’s candidate nomination meeting in Oliver April 6. About 75 members were on hand to cast their ballots in person.
The NDP had previously nominated Marji Basso, from Oliver, as the candidate. However, she resigned as the candidate citing “personal reasons” on the same day that former Liberal incumbent John Slater also announced his decision to withdraw.
Running against Hancheroff for the NDP nomination were Rhonda Bruce of Oliver and Brian Taylor, mayor of Grand Forks.
