Wayne Usher is a senior city councilor; he won twice at the polls and at councilor conventions. And now he's going for the hat trick; Usher is aspiring for municipal office once more time. And that's because after that, he plans to go national. He launched his municipal campaign today and told us why he's asking the voter's for one more chance.
Wayne Usher, Councillor
"I am putting up myself for re-election and or the convention yes starting today."
Jules Vasquez
"Some have said that the UDP hierarchy has been asking for new faces. You are not a new face?"
Wayne Usher
"No and I have absolutely no problem with the new faces at all. I think that is healthy to have new faces but we should also have some of the older faces for continuity so that we can pass from one term to another."
Jules Vasquez
"But how would you answer the criticism 'man - two term is enough, step aside and let others enter'"
Wayne Usher
"I will answer that this way. I believe in the democratic process. Let the people of this decide my faith. I want to go on my record; I believe I have successfully done what have been ask of me. I believe that I have a lot of support and I want to continue to finish what I started and I think another 3 years in this portfolio will let me do that and also set the pace for what I really want to do after the next 3 years and that is to go up to central government level."
Jules Vasquez
"So you are using this as a sort of springboard for eventually one day you want to be a standard bearer and an area representative?"
Wayne Usher
"That is correct and I can say it from now. I am comfortable in both the Fort George and the Pickstock divisions and I have campaign extensively with the standard bearers in those divisions."
Jules Vasquez
"Explain to me why do you think people would vote for the UDP city council a third time?"
Wayne Usher
"What is the alternative Jules? Do we have an alternative?"
Jules Vasquez
"Well I hear that Yolanda Schrakron will run."
Wayne Usher
"Let's not go down that way. I believe the United Democratic Party will win the next municipal election and will win the next general election."
Jules Vasquez
"Looking at the council and all the various rivalries and factions - sometimes I would want to think that you guys need a time out from each other, a lot of you all no longer work as a team. So why is it that I as a voter would select seven of you all if you say even are still interested. Seven of you all to run again when I know that a lot of you all are fighting amongst yourselves."
Wayne Usher
"That's an easy question Jules. Ask me some harder ones man? We have had our difficulties in the past but I can tell you now and 've been through it almost two terms - we had some rocky ground coming through but for the past six months to on year I feel a cohesion within this council that wasn't there before."
The convention for UDP councilors will be held on August 21st at the ITVET building.
