 Saturday October 13th, 2001
Mayoral candidate Peter Sammarco, longtime Richmond resident, wants to bring a “fresh” approach to City Hall, restoring the people’s voice to their government.”For too long, the voices of the people have gotten lost in the political bureaucracy,” he says. “Indeed, many citizens have felt left out altogether by the political process.”As mayor, Sammarco plans to work in conjunction with the City Council to ensure the people of Richmond are heard. Sammarco is proposing to do what he has for years: listen to others to find out what concerns them, to discuss their ideas. To that end, Sammarco will hold regular meetings with Richmond residents to listen to their concerns and create a “citizen think tank” to help find the best possible solutions for everyone in the community.”We’ve accomplished so much in Richmond,” says Sammarco, “And we can accomplish so much more.” |
| Sammarco’s goal is to create a better Richmond by restoring pride in its citizens, pride in the colorful mixture of cultures that makes this a vibrant city, brought together more by their commonalties than by their differences.”It’s the cultural diversity that restores the power to the people, that brings prosperity,” says Sammarco, who speaks Italian and Japanese. “My expertise in international trade, cross cultural communication business management, Pacific and Asian studies and International relations will enhance Richmond’s profile to be a city that thinks globally and acts locally.”Peter has lived and worked in Hong Kong and Japan, where he attended a prestigious university.Since he returned to Richmond, Peter has been teaching language proficiency and cross cultural business communications in Asian communities as well as the corporate culture. “I understand the needs of the Asian community, specifically, and the Richmond community at large and how we benefit each other,” Sammarco says. As a former business owner and the son of a businessman, Sammarco also understands the need for a vibrant business community. Richmond already has one of the best, most diverse business communities in all of British Columbia. “We need to take the initiative to make positive change, to make Richmond a better place,” says Sammarco. “Together, working with the community, business, City Council, and City Hall employees we will find the solutions to ensure Richmond’s success. The voice of Richmond residents must be heard.” |
