Taylor remains mayor as NDP candidate nominated
By Mona Mattei
Grand Forks will not be heading into a by-election for the mayor’s seat as Sam Hancheroff won the provincial New Democratic Party (NDP) candidacy for the Boundary-Similkameen.
Hancheroff is currently a school trustee, and is a retired school teacher. Having grown up in Grand Forks and spending his career years in Okanagan Falls, he is familiar with many aspects of the riding.
“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.”
Before becoming a trustee, Hancheroff was a teacher in Okanagan Falls for 33 years. He has also served as an elected trustee for the Kaleden Irrigation District.
Mayor Brian Taylor has been campaigning for the nomination across the riding for the past month, with hopes of stepping into provincial politics along with Hancheroff and Rhonda Bruce, also from Oliver.
Although Taylor’s experience in local government gave him credibility as a candidate, Hancheroff took the vote in the end.
Hancheroff is a strong advocate for education, health and seniors’ care, agriculture and environmental awareness. He has a blended family of four children and five grandchildren.
“Our province has a great opportunity on May 14,” says Hancheroff. “I will work to change B.C. for the better, one practical step at a time.”
