Just when I was starting to wonder what was going on. I’d been told at the Oct. 20 NPA fundraiser that the list of nominees was going to be released the next day. Then there was a mysterious delay. Anyway, here’s the list of those running for the four positions the party is allowing nominations for.
As most of you will note here, this is not a list that will give Visionistas too many sleepless nights except possibly for the party’s floundering park board candidates, worried about facing a De Genova on the ballot.
There’s no Randy Helten, the very effective leader of the West End communards/aka West End Neighbours. No prominent developer who just might be interested in running for council. No former Vision mayoral candidate.
Vancouver, BC (November 6, 2010) – The Vancouver NPA’s Board of Directors has approved five candidates for its November 20 nomination meeting, which will take place at the Croatian Cultural Centre. They are:
- Bill McCreery – Nomination candidate for City Council
- Jesse Johl – Nomination candidate for City Council
- Casey Crawford – Nomination candidate for Park Board
- Melissa De Genova – Nomination candidate for Park Board
- Sophia Woo – Nomination candidate for School Board
The NPA’s Board had made the decision several months ago to nominate two candidates for City Council, one candidate for Park Board and one candidate for School Board at the November 20 nomination meeting. Therefore, members of the NPA will vote for either Casey Crawford or Melissa De Genova to be their Park Board candidate at the nomination meeting. Bill McCreery, Jesse Johl and Sophia Woo will be automatically acclaimed.
“The NPA’s Board is very pleased with the wealth of community involvement and experience these candidates bring to the party,” said John Moonen, President of the NPA. “Bill, Jesse and Sophia will be strong contenders in next year’s election. And, members will have a difficult decision in choosing either Casey or Melissa to be their Park Board candidate.”
NPA members can cast their votes for either Casey or Melissa beginning at 10:00 am at the Croatian Cultural Centre. Voting will close at 1:00 pm.
There will be an opportunity to meet the three candidates to be acclaimed and the two candidates running for Park Board, as well as City Councillor Suzanne Anton, Park Board Commissioner Ian Robertson and School Board Trustees Ken Denike and Carol Gibson. Several new members of the NPA’s Board will be at the Croatian Cultural Centre as well.
The NPA will hold another nomination meeting in spring 2011 where a mayoralty candidate will be selected, as well as more candidates for City Council, School Board and Park Board.
BACKGROUNDER
Bio for Bill McCreery – Nomination candidate for City Council
Bill graduated from the University of Manitoba with a Bachelor of Architecture in 1969, and practiced architecture in Vancouver for the past 38 years, receiving numerous design and heritage awards.
Bill was involved in the Third Crossing Debate from 1970-72, co-authored the study Ferry Crossing of Burrard Inlet, which led to today’s Sea Buses, and the study Rapid Transit Only Crossing of Burrard Inlet, which identified Metro Vancouver’s rapid transit potential and much of the Skytrain routing.
Bill was a Commissioner on the Vancouver Park Board from 1973-74, and implemented a much-needed update to the City’s parks and recreation system. He helped acquire new park space, including Jericho Park and the Stanley Park Entrance. Bill represented the Park Board on City Council’s False Creek Planning Committee, and helped establish development strategies and plans for the north and south sides of False Creek.
Bio for Jesse Johl – Nomination candidate for City Council
Born and raised in Vancouver, Jesse has been involved with many community organizations. He attended Sir Charles Tupper Secondary School in Vancouver, and went on to attend Douglas College and Simon Fraser University. Jesse currently works for CPC.
Jesse has been involved with many charitable organizations over the years, including Canuck Place Hospice for Children and Camp Goodtimes.
Jesse is married and has a young son, and is driven to make Vancouver a better place for everyone.
Bio for Casey Crawford – Nomination candidate for Park Board
A resident of Metro Vancouver all his life, and the City of Vancouver since 1992, Casey and his wife Carla live in the Oakridge neighbourhood along the Ontario Street bike route, which they use frequently with their two sons to visit the community facilities at Queen Elizabeth Park and Hillcrest/Riley Park. Casey works as a project manager with a local publishing firm, and several years of experience in sales and customer service.
A strong believer in giving back to the community, Casey has volunteered for several community organizations, including the Canadian Diabetes Association, YES-Canada Youth Services, the Little Mountain Baseball Association, Endeavour Society and UBC Crane Library. Currently, Casey is a Director of the Kerrisdale Soccer Association (six years), Director of the Stroke Recovery Association of BC (five years) and Chair of the Quilchena Elementary Parent Advisory Council since September 2010.
Bio for Melissa De Genova – Nomination candidate for Park Board
Melissa De Genova actively volunteers with several community groups and charitable organizations in Vancouver. Some of the many community initiatives and organizations she has been involved with include working with the annual Gala and Fundraising committees for Odd Squad Productions and being the Gala Chair for the Honour House Society. Melissa is also a past director of the Moberly Arts and Cultural Centre, and in 2009 was elected to the Vancouver NPA’s Board as Youth Chair. Understanding the importance youth have in our community, she has organized non-partisan forums, and coordinated initiatives focused on encouraging youth to become more involved with politics.
Melissa has also managed and worked on several political campaigns for municipal, provincial and federal levels of government. She currently works in real estate development, owns an event production company and is a graduate of Simon Fraser University. Melissa is 27 years old and is the daughter of five-term Park Board Commissioner Allan De Genova. She lives in Vancouver with her husband Blair, who works as a police officer, and their dog.
Bio for Sophia Woo – Nomination candidate for School Board
Sophia graduated from Simon Fraser University, has a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Hong Kong University, and is currently a mental health clinician with Vancouver Coastal Health. She is a recipient of the Outstanding Chinese Woman Award in 2007 and is a Paul Harris Fellow. Sophia has been published in professional journals and medical publications, speaks at local, national and international conferences, organizes community workshops and facilitates parents and family support groups.
Sophia’s long list of community involvement includes:
- Past Board Member and Current Member, Rotary Club of Vancouver Chinatown
- Board Member, Chinese Community Police Centre
- Board Member, Vancouver Association of Community Police Centres
- Past Board Member, Riverview Hospital
- Shop Steward, Occupational Health and Safety, Health Science Association
- Member, Arbutus Lions Club
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