A second candidate has announced intentions to run for the position of mayor in the upcoming Castlegar byelection.
Gord Lamont first publicly announced his plans over the weekend on his Facebook page.
“On Monday, I’m going to fill out the paper work and run for mayor,” said Lamont in his post.
“We need new blood and a fresh approach and I’m the man to give you both. We can’t keep doing things as it has been done. We need to come together as a council and a city.”
Lamont says he will have a platform ready in the next week, but he did say he wants to open the city for new and affordable developments.
This isn’t Lamont’s first foray into politics, he unsuccessfully ran for a city council seat in the 2018 municipal election.
City councillor Florio Vassilakakis has also announced he will be running for mayor.
RELATED: City councillor Florio Vassilakakis announces plans to run for Castlegar mayor
The need for a byelection arose when Mayor Bruno Tassone unexpectedly resigned in early January.
Vassilakakis’ announcement means that the byelection will now be for both mayor and one council seat as a sitting councillor can not run in the election, so Vassilakakis will have to step down from his council seat.
Council is expected to appoint an elections officer in the next few weeks with an election following within 80 days from that point.
betsy.kline@castlegarnews.com
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