Former banker David Lee is seeking a Non-Partisan Association nomination for Vancouver city council, according to NPA councillor and mayoral nominee Peter Ladner.

NPA councillor B.C. Lee has announced that he’s not running for reelection, leaving Vancouver’s ruling party without a council candidate of Chinese descent.

Ladner told the Straight that David Lee is a member of the board of directors of the Chinese Cultural Centre and previously served on the board of SUCCESS, which provides services for immigrants.

Ladner also said that another leading Chinatown figure, Syrus Lee, has expressed interest in seeking a spot on the NPA council slate.

Under NPA rules, Syrus Lee had until August 13, the Straight ’s press time, to submit his nomination papers. The 52-year-old realtor was the charter president of the Vancouver Chinatown BIA Society, and he has been a director for the Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Association for the past 15 years.

Syrus Lee told the Straight by phone on August 11 that he hadn’t made up his mind. He noted that he was also considering running provincially next year for the B.C. Liberals. He added that he is interested in mental-health issues, saying: “If we have more mental-health service, more treatment, I think that will solve a lot of problems in Vancouver.”

The NPA will hold its second nomination meeting for remaining slots on its slates for council, park board, and school board on September 13.