My endorsement of Jane Sterk ( www.janesterk.ca ) as the strongest candidate for Leader, Green Party of British Columbia
Each of the candidates seeking to lead the Green Party of British Columbia would bring a unique set of assets to the position. After careful consideration and with due respect to the other candidates, I have decided to give Jane Sterk this public endorsement in her bid for the position of Leader.
The reasons for my choosing Jane Sterk as the strongest candidate to lead BC’s Green Party are several. The process in which the Green Party membership is currently engaged is about choosing the best individual for the position of leader. From my personal friendship with Jane Sterk since 2003, I am convinced that Jane is the candidate with the combination of experience, skills, and knowledge best suited to the requirements of the job.
Jane Sterk has sought public office as a Green Party candidate at the federal and provincial levels. She ran and topped the polls in the November 2005 Esquimalt municipal election, with two out of every three voters supporting her. Since then, Jane has gained invaluable, practical experience in her role as a municipal councillor. Her championing of green initiatives has garnered media attention, and she has proven that she is able to work collaboratively with all stakeholders. Local mayors and councillors from all parts of the political spectrum are endorsing her.
Jane is the candidate who will be best able to stand up to Gordon Campbell and Carole James in the televised leaders’ debates – she has the practical experience of dealing with media and the ability to create those all-important sound bytes!
Jane has the professional stature and credibility to build upon the calibre of individuals drawn to the Green Party as volunteers and provincial election candidates.
Jane has the determination needed to ensure that the Green Party provides strong leadership and a full slate of candidates to give voice to the YES side of the debate in these crucial, next 20 months leading to the referendum on electoral reform (BC-STV). And importantly for democracy, Jane has committed to ensuring that electoral financing reform is among the Green Party’s key platform planks in 2009.
Jane is at a point in her personal and family life where she is able to devote 100% of her time and energy to the task of leading the Green Party. I know from working with Jane that she is realistic about what can and cannot be achieved, is able to prioritize her work and then focus on what is most important.
Lastly, I am convinced that Jane’s goal of making the Green Party of British Columbia sustainable over the next two years is most closely aligned with my goals in seeking the position of Party Chair. I look forward to working closely with Jane Sterk and members of Provincial Council to move the Green Party to the point where it has full-time paid staff members to manage the myriad administrative details of a political party so that the leader and other party officials are freed from direct responsibility in those activities.
I see the next four years as a period of growth and maturation for the Green Party, as a time to resolve systemic and funding issues, to get the party on a sound footing.
To that end, Jane has committed to forego part of the leader’s salary during her first year so that the Party is able to retain a full-time office manager. Now that is commitment, though obviously not one that all candidates are able to make, nor should they be expected to do so. Unfortunately that is what is required at this time.
I would ask that you support Jane Sterk in her bid for the position of Party Leader. Please rank Jane Sterk number 1 on your Leadership Ballot. If you are committed to another leadership candidate, please give Jane your number 2 vote. To be sure that your ballot is received in time to be counted, complete and mail it within the next couple of days.
Walter Meyer zu Erpen, candidate for Party Chair
Email: votegreen@islandnet.com
Green Party of British Columbia, formerly:
Provincial Campaign Manager, 2005
Provincial Fund-Raising Chair, 2003-2004
Victoria-Beacon Hill provincial candidate, 2001
Victoria City Council candidate, 1999