The first official announcement to run for Lake Country council has been made by Biran (Bib) Patel.
Patel doesn鈥檛 have a background in politics, nor has he ever had the desire to run, but when the current mayor James Baker announced he wouldn鈥檛 be seeking reelection Patel was flooded with messages telling him to run for the job.
鈥淚t鈥檚 never even been on the radar,鈥� Patel told the Calendar. 鈥淪o when it comes from left field it鈥檚 a little bit of a shocker.鈥�
Patel works full-time for an electronic medical records company, is a husband, and a dad of two. He said he鈥檚 humbled that so many people think he would be right to lead the district.
The mayor position is a big undertaking, so Patel decided to start a little smaller and throw his hat in the ring for Councillor at Large.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 think mayor is on-the-job training. You have to jump onto a moving train and know what you鈥檙e doing, know what you鈥檙e talking about.鈥�
The Calendar sat down with Patel to learn about his campaign platform.
鈥淚t鈥檚 very vague and almost cliche,鈥� he started. 鈥淎fter months of figuring it out and asking the community 鈥榳hat should my slogan be?鈥� that cliche, it kind of dawned on me. Basically, engagement and moving forward.鈥�
Patel said he鈥檚 interested in doing his research, understanding the language of politics, and listening to what the community wants for the place they call home.
And when asked if there are any issues he would bring up first, Patel said, 鈥淭here鈥檚 specific issues I want to learn about first鈥� why is it the way it is.鈥�
Patel noted he wants to look into sidewalk infrastructure, and learn more about the growth and maintenance of the district.
Continuing with the cliches, Patel was asked why people should vote for him and the answer was pretty simple - 鈥楾hey shouldn鈥檛.鈥�
Patel wants people to reach out and connect with him, learn about his campaign, his personality, and his ideas for moving the community forward before anyone checks his name off on a ballot.
Patel can be reached by email, getengaged@bib.ca, for anyone interested in speaking to him before election day Oct. 15.
The District of Lake Country does not list on their website who has picked up nomination packages like other municipalities. Those running for mayor and council will not be known until the nomination deadline on Sept. 9.
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brittany.webster@blackpress.ca
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