A long-time Pitt Meadows resident will be vying for a seat on city council this November.
Dave Murray announced his intentions Tuesday, after a council meeting and the launch of pittmeadowstodayonline.blogspot.com, a blog focused on the city.
“I am big fan of Pitt Meadows. I think it’s the best city in all of British Columbia,” said Murray, who ran as a NDP candidate in Abbotsford during the recent federal election and earned 20 per cent (10,089) of total votes.
The federal contest whetted Murray’s interest for politics.
“It was a humbling experience going up against a Conservative juggernaut, but we were able to do what no other riding in Western Canada could do for the NDP – double our amount of votes,” he added.
Murray is a former small business owner who operated Tiger Sports Collectibles in Port Coquitlam and Maple Ridge.
He currently works for the parks and recreations department for the City of Port Coquitlam, maintaining sports fields, trails and buildings.
He is also the secretary treasurer for the Fraser Valley Labour Council, based in Abbotsford, as well as for CUPE B.C. Fraser Valley district.
Pitt Meadows’ contract with CUPE goes to 2012.
Murray has lived in Pitt Meadows since 1989 and moved to Port Coquitlam for a year, only to head back.
“It’s got the least crime, it’s the cleanest, got great facilities. It’s got a great basketball team that wins every year,” said Murray, who is a good friend of Pitt secondary basketball coach Rich Goulet.
Murray also coached basketball and baseball locally and at Capilano College and Terry Fox secondary.
Current Pitt Meadows mayor Don MacLean will not be seeking re-election this year, a position he has held for 12 years.
Councillors Doug Bing and Deb Walters will be vying for his seat, leaving two spots open on council.
The other four current members of council – John Becker, Gwen O’Connell, Bruce Bell and Tracy Miyashita – will also seek re-election this fall.