Kelowna and Penticton council candidates name their favourite political figures
We asked: “Which Canadian, American or world political figure — living or dead — has most inspired you over the years?”
What follows are select answers from city council candidates in Penticton and Kelowna. (Some declined the opportunity to answer this question.) JOHN ARCHER: Nelson Mandela
COLIN BASRAN: Martin Luther King Jr. “Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate only love can do that.”
LINDSAY BELL: Nelson Mandela, legacy of apartheid by tackling institution racism and fostering racial reconciliation
JULIUS BLOOMFIELD: Martin Luther King Jr. — his vision and commitment to a better future. KEVIN BOND: Mel Hurtig, founder of the Council of Canadians.
MARK BOYER: Lester B. Pearson who tried to make the world and Canada a better place to live in.
WAYNE CARSON: Winston Churchill. Regardless of the odds, he never considered quitting. GLEN CLARK: No question about it — Jack Layton. RYAN DONN: Winston Churchill has always intrigued me.
ISAAC GILBERT: Jack Layton — someone who was compassionate and respectable GAIL GIVEN: Anglea Merkel, chancellor of Germany since 2005 CHARLIE HODGE: Barack Obama
CRAIG HOSTLAND: Lester Pearson for his out-of-the-box focus on world-class social ideas and world beating solutions. GRAEME JAMES: Margaret Thatcher, she was a tremendous leader.
GORDON LOVEGROVE: Mahatma Ghandi for his persistently respectful approach and peace-loving politics. JAKE KIMBERLEY: Pierre E. Trudeau, he put Canada on the world stage. AMARJIT SINGH LALLI: Pierre E. Trudeau
JESSE MARTIN: Barack Obama — honest, kind-hearted and real. The ideal politician. DOUG MAXWELL: My mother, Beverley Jones, live simply.
CHRISTOPHER MILLIN: Barack Obama, intelligent, literate, humble and humorous.
JEFF PIATTELLI: Anybody who has the courage to be themselves and stand up for what they believe in is a winner in my books. MAX PICTON: Naheed Nenshi, for his work connecting youth with politics. MARIE PRIOR: St. Teresa of Calcutta, champion of the poor in India.
KEVIN PROTEAU: Martin Luther King Jr., a man who never stop fighting for what he believed in. MO RAJABALLY: Nelson Mandela
FRANK REGEHR: Winston Churchill, he had flaws but also the ability to lead when needed. KATIE ROBINSON: John McCain, man of unparalleled integrity. a DARYL SANDERS: Abraham Lincoln speak your mind and speak the truth.
BOB SCHEWE: Ronald Reagan who helped collapse the Soviet regime/Berlin Wall. ,
DUSTIN SARGENT: Marcus Aurelius, simply by way of some of the most amazing quotes.
JUDY SENTES: U.S. Senator John McCain’s philosophy of “Just do what’s right” truly resonates with me.
BRAD SIEBEN: Barack Obama, bad timing on grandiose (expensive) policies, but a global watershed period of positivity. MOHINI SINGH: Mahatma Gandhi because he was the most unselfish person.
LUKE STACK: Tommy Douglas, worked diligently so that every Canadian could have quality health care, regardless of their economic or social situation.
LOYAL WOLLDRIDGE: Princess Diana used her political influence to engage young people to make a difference in the world.