Mike Klassen won't rule out a byelection run for Vancouver city council

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      “I hate that question,” Mike Klassen quipped by phone.

      The former Vancouver city council candidate was being asked by the Straight if he’s ruled out running again if a byelection is called.

      Of course, it’s early days to be talking about this. But there’s a steady buzz that a number of elected municipal officials with the ruling Vision Vancouver party are scanning the provincial horizon.

      On the phone on Tuesday (May 15), Klassen singled out Vision councillor Geoff Meggs as someone who may want to run for the NDP in the next provincial election, in May 2013.

      But Meggs first has to win the nomination from the NDP constituency association in Vancouver-Fairview, where he is said to be interested in running. He also has to be elected before the prospect of a council byelection becomes concrete.

      “I haven’t seen any clear indications that things are going to change on that front,” Klassen said. “But like you, I’m hearing all the rumours that Meggs will be one of a few Vision candidates that will probably leap into the provincial pool.”

      A communications and public affairs professional, Klassen placed 13th in the 2011 race for the 10 spots in council.

      The proud Eastsider received the fourth-highest number of votes among the Non-Partisan Association candidates. Two NPA candidates got into council.

      When asked if he’s preparing for a byelection run, Klassen gave a firm no as a response. He said he’s having fun doing what he does.

      “My more immediate interest right now is my own work,” he said. “So that’s about as straight an answer as I can give you.”

      Is he ruling out running in a byelection?

      Klassen doesn’t like that one. “I’ve learned that when you’re in politics, once you say ‘never’ then it usually ends up coming back to bite you,” he said.

      For now, Klassen is leaving it at that.

      Comments

      7 Comments

      Kim Collins

      May 16, 2012 at 5:06pm

      I would never, ever, ever give Mike Klassen my vote. He has arguably done more than anyone else over the last five years to make Vancouver politics mean-spirited and destructive. You don't have to take my word for it though. Check out what some long-time NPA councilor Gordon Price had say after the election:

      "Maybe they believed their own mantra, and thought the public did too. But apparently these trivia didn’t piss off the bulk of voters anywhere near the way they did the strategists of the NPA campaign, influenced, I presume, by the excessive rhetoric of the City Caucus blog whose founder, Mike Klassen, was a front-running candidate and insider (and possible beneficiary of much of the blame for the results)."

      http://pricetags.wordpress.com/2011/11/20/political-notes-4-post-electio...

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      Erling

      May 16, 2012 at 8:52pm

      Klassen is an ugly, ugly politician. If he runs I'll work for the candidate most likely to defeat him.

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      Save Vancouver

      May 16, 2012 at 10:49pm

      We need someone like Klassen on Council to balance out the vapidity of the mayor and his Vision council.

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      #fail

      May 17, 2012 at 12:00am

      Let's hope there's another Green Party, NSV, and hey, even a COPE candidate - but preferably without Stockholm Syndrome this time.

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      Carlos

      May 17, 2012 at 3:28am

      Meggs getting a nomination as a MLA candidate in Fairview is nowhere close to a done deal. After all, he was picketed at a recent NDP AGM at the Hillcrest Community Centre. A significant part of Mount Pleasant is in the Fairview riding and his support for the Rize rezoning has not endeared him to many residents in this neighbourhood. Let's wait for the outcome of the nomination meeting before speculating about a possible by-election.

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      glen p robbins

      May 18, 2012 at 3:55pm

      I don't live in Vancouver - but another Green councillor would look very good. Green candidates - make the province look good - they may be the last of the true idealists. Go BC Green Go

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      Stephen

      Jul 3, 2012 at 4:11pm

      Many New Democrats in Vancouver Fairview--including me--who are unhappy with the City's decision to cut off funding for the Downtown Historic Railway will also have misgivings about backing Meggs's candidacy.

      http://www.villagevancouver.ca/forum/topic/show?id=4670368%3ATopic%3A71146

      Killing the vintage streetcar service to Granville Island is short-sighted on at least three fronts: heritage preservation, tourism, and green transportation. Perhaps Meggs will get the message and reverse this move before we lose the service for good.

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