 School board trustee Sam Hancheroff of Kaleden will throw his hat in the ring for the NDP nomination in Boundary Similkameen now that it's vacant. This photo was supplied to The Herald's online edition by Hancheroff. |
Sam Hancheroff of Kaleden said he filed papers last week with the party's head office, but has yet to be officially approved. The position became vacant with the surprise resignation of Marji Basso in January.
"I have connections throughout Boundary-Similkameen," Hancheroff said.
"I've lived there my whole life, and I have a good understanding of the economic scenarios and feel that if given the chance
I would be a good candidate."
Hancheroff, 65, taught for 33 years in Okanagan Falls, mostly Grade 7.
A graduate of the University of Victoria, he was born in Grand Forks, which is part of the riding.
He's served for the past three terms as a school trustee with the Okananagan Similkameen School District and is the board's vice-chair.
He previously spent 15 years with the Okanagan Falls Fire Department, also holding the position of secretary-treasurer.
In Kaleden, he's been an elected member of the irrigation board.
He and his wife, Barbra Patterson, have a blended family with four children and five grandchildren.
"The No. 1 issue in our riding is job creation," Hancheroff said. "The Okanagan Valley is a fantastic place to retire, but we have to provide opportunities for younger people to live here with good wages."
"From my experience with the school district, we need more trades in the educational system and at the high school level. We need to promote viticulture. We're missing the boat. A lot of students from Osoyoos, Oliver and Keremeos live with families that own vineyards. Why can't they start early?"
He also vows to fight hard for proper hospital expansion in the South Okanagan.
A date for the NDP nomination meeting has not been set.
