Labour council president running for city council

KAMLOOPS – The current president of the Kamloops and District Labour Council is the latest to announce his intention to run in the upcoming municipal election.

Peter Kerek has been the president of the council since 2011 and earlier this week he used social media to announce his intention to run. The Kamloops Transit employee says part of his inspiration comes from infamous Toronto Mayor Rob Ford.

“I (feel) compelled to run for office to ensure someone like that doesn't ever get as far in Kamloops as he did in Toronto,” Kerek says in his bio, adding he wants to serve the public in the most public way possible.

Kerek has taken a firm stance again the proposed Ajax Mine and joins current councillors Donovan Cavers and Tina Lange in doing so.

Cavers, Lange and the rest of council, Mayor Peter Milobar and councillors Nelly Dever, Pat Wallace, Marg Spina, Ken Christian and Arjun Singh, have all already said they are running in the 2014 elections. That leaves one seat automatically open following the departure of former councillor Nancy Bepple who stepped down citing health reasons.

Dieter Dudy, who fell just short in the race for mayor in the last election, has also said he will be running for council this term.

The election will take place on Nov. 15. One mayor, eight councillors and five school trustees will be elected to a four year term. Nominations will officially open Sept. 30.

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