Richmond Review
Thursday July 19th, 2001
New Face Eye’s Mayor’s Chair
Richmond resident Peter Sammarco has announced he plans to join the mayor’s race.
Sammarco, 31, has lived in Richmond since 1975 and works at his father’s business, Richmond Vinyl Siding.
He studied Pacific and Asian studies at the University of Victoria, and said he believes his experience working with the Chinese community can help bridge the cultural gap in Richmond.
Greg Halsey-Brandt resigned as mayor last month, shortly after being elected Richmond Center MLA. A by-election to replace Halsey-Brandt is tentatively scheduled for Oct. 13. Although candidates will not be able to submit their application until August, Sammarco said he’s in.
“I’ve been working with the people of Richmond for a number of years, asking what they want to see improved.”
Sammarco is the third hopeful to step forward. Coun. Malcolm Brodie has announced he is running for mayor as an independent. Coun. Derek Dang is seeking the Richmond Non-Partisan Association’s mayoralty nomination.
Richmond News
Wednesday July 11, 2001
Third mayoral candidate throws hat in the ring
You may not know his name yet, but Peter Sammarco hopes that his will change in the next few months. Thirty-one year old Sammarco is the third candidate to announce his intentions to enter Richmond’s mayoral race. The city’s top seat was left vacant last month when former mayor Greg Halsey-Brandt resigned to take on his role as provincial Liberal cabinet minister.
Two others seeking the job so far are incumbent councilors Malcolm Brodie and Derek Dang. Sammarco admits he doesn’t have any formal political experience, but says his strength lies in his understanding of the diverse culture in Richmond.
Sammarco, who speaks Japanese and has an understanding of Asian dialects, thinks his strong background in Pacific Asian international trade, cross-cultural communications management and international relations in Japan makes him the ideal candidate for the job.
“With a diverse community such as Richmond, I think I’m a candidate who can make a difference by bridging our cultural gap”, Sammarco said.
Sammarco, who is single, wants to work with council and residents to come up with a plan to make Richmond a community that others can model themselves on. “I have a vision over the next 10 years to maintain and improve what we already have in Richmond”, he said.
Sammarco lists securing light rail transit for Richmond as something he would work closely on with Vancouver mayor Phillip Owen. Other top issues include working out a viable economic solution to council’s current five-year plan of increasing property taxes, working closely with concerned citizens and council regarding the continuous issue of group homes, and maintaining our existing farmland.
A resident of Richmond since 1975, Sammarco works in his family-owned business, Richmond Vinyl Siding. He is also completing a self-help book. The 1987 Steveston graduate was co-president of the Asian student society at the University of Victoria where he studied Pacific and Asian studies.
The tentative date for the by-election is Oct. 13.
