Okanagan water board leader seeks NDP nomination in Kelowna

The longtime executive director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board wants to carry the NDP flag in the Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream riding. Anna Warwick Sears announced today, June 5, she is seeking the nomination. “I’m eager to take on this new challenge,” she said in a news release. “We need a strong, clear voice for this riding in Victoria. "I was motivated to run by the horrific fires and smoke last year. We need to take serious action to protect our homes and water supplies from extreme weather and climate change. I’m also really motivated by the shortage of affordable housing, the need to improve our infrastructure, and the challenges with our health-care system. "These issues are all related. Time is short, and I appreciate the real action being taken by David Eby’s NDP.” She plans to stay in her role at the water board through the election this October. She has been with the water board since 2006 and holds a PhD in population biology. The NDP hasn't made it known when it will announce their candidate.   “If I am selected as candidate,” she continued. “I will be a voice for all B.C. Interior issues, which are not always well understood on the coast. I have spent my career listening to community needs, and advocating for community solutions. I intend to take this approach with me to Victoria.” She listed endorsements from Lake Country Mayor Blair Ireland, Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming and Bob Hrasko, chair of the Water Supply Association of B.C. The BC election will be held on or before Oct. 19. To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones mailto:mjones@infonews.ca  or call 250-718-2724 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom mailto:tips@infonews.ca  and be entered to win a monthly prize draw. We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here https://infotel.ca/newsletter .