Abbotsford City Councillor Moe Gill announced his intentions last Sunday before a crowd of hundred or so that he will be running as an independent candidate in Abbotsford West this May.
By Ken Herar
ABBOTSFORD – Abbotsford City Councillor Moe Gill announced his intentions last Sunday before a crowd of hundred or so that he will be running as an independent candidate in Abbotsford West this May.
“Being an independent is a good fit because he can speak his mind without having to toe any party line. It feels good,” Gill told the LINK.
After years of supporting Abbotsford West MLA Mike de Jong , Gill parted with his good friend after being overlooked as a candidate by BC Liberal brass in the neighboring riding of Abbotsford South. Gill, had been planning his move to provincial politics for some time and it become well-known, he was seeking this particular riding for the past few years. Things turned sour unfortunately when a nomination wasn’t held recently and University of the Fraser Valley Criminologist Darryl Plecas was given the green light to run as a candidate for the Liberals.
Gill is angry at the B.C. Liberal Party in general, and de Jong in particular.
“I was willing to do anything for him,” he said “There’s no reason for revenge. I and Mike have parted and gone our separate ways. He’s working on his campaign his way with his party. I am working on my campaign. I don’t think we have to take any revenge on each other. Campaign honestly and let the people decide.”
Independent candidates have sipped the taste of victory and in 2009 Vicki Huntington proved this to be historical and became the first independent MLA elected in over 60 years in this province. With two high profile independent candidates (MLA John van Dongen in Abbotsford South and Coun Moe Gill in Abbotsford West) on the ballot and with tons of energy, attention and emotion to some of the underlying issues can be some of the key ingredients to victory for independent candidates.
I had the opportunity to do a Q & A with Stephen Evans, Moe Gill’s Campaign Adviser and get more insight into this campaign.
Why is Moe Gill running?
SE: Moe is running to win the opportunity to represent our community in Victoria. Moe has been working towards this goal since he was first introduced to politics. Moe has been a loyal servant of the community and wishes to represent them in Victoria.
What affect does this campaign have on our community?
SE: Political decision makers and those who choose to give the Green Light to potential candidates have to conduct themselves with a great deal of integrity. In this case, Christy Clark and Rich Coleman choose not to respect the democratic process. The community has decided to support Moe Gill.
What are the benefits?
SE: There are a number of independents running within the Province.
Two credible independent candidates now present themselves as viable options within Abbotsford. The benefits of having this option in both Abbotsford West and Abbotsford South means the community now has a choice. And now, can an independent MLA, with 20 years of political service, best represent your interests.
Is this a racial issue?
SE: This is an integrity issue. Why would Christy Clark turn her back on Moe, such a long serving member of the Party. Why would Christy Clark not support the South Asian and Chinese communities when they helped bring her to power. Why would Christy Clark allow the Chair of the Green Light Committee to lie about their support for Moe as the candidate for Abbotsford South.
Ken “Kulwinder” Herar is a Mission-based writer and a winner of the champions of diversity award for his columns in the LINK newspaper and other Fraser Valley newspapers. Herar can be reached at [email protected] or view his blog at http://www.kenherar.blogspot.com
