The following is a list of candidates running in the Sept. 18 Delta council by-election. Check our website at www.delta-optimist.com to see if any additional candidates filed prior to Friday's 4 p.m. deadline.

SYLVIA BISHOP

First out of the gate to declare her candidacy, Bishop lists the preservation of the Southlands as her number one issue, but not the only one.

"There is no doubt, the single most important issue in South Delta is the proposed development of the Southlands. The loss of farmland, traffic congestion and impact on Delta's infrastructure are top concerns."

A former Delta South NDP constituency association president, Bishop had run for political office years ago, including federally and provincially for the New Democrats and as a council candidate for Cit-A-Del.

She's endorsed this time around by TriDelta and Southlands the Facts.

MARIA DEVRIES

A former Delta Chamber of Commerce president, DeVries has previously run for council. She cites a need for increased fiscal responsibility and concern over balancing community interests as her reasons for running.

One of her goals for council is to "build positive, solution-oriented relationships."

DeVries made news in last year's provincial election when she agreed to step aside as the Liberal candidate for Delta South to allow Wally Oppal to take the nomination.

DeVries has also been involved in many different community causes over the years.

AMY GHUMAN SARA

Ghuman Sara ran for municipal office for the first time in 2008. While she didn't win a council seat, she had a strong showing by appearing in the top six in a few areas of North Delta.

Her past community involvement includes fundraising for Delta Hospital and serving on the board of directors of the Burns Bog Conservation Society.

Ghuman Sara said she's been receiving a lot of support to run in this by-election.

PETER HARMS

This is the first time Harms, a Tsawwassen resident and businessman, has run for political office. Saying he'd be a strong voice to represent Deltans on local issues, Harms has been a Delta resident since 2004.

He said he has always been interested in running for office but didn't become a Canadian citizen until recently. Harms was born and raised in South Africa and lived for a time in Germany before moving to B.C. in the early 1980s.

Married with two daughters, Harms said, "I grew up on a farm and guess where we are. I am familiar with the issues here, so I feel now is the time."

KATHLEEN HIGGINS

Higgins also ran for a council seat in 2008. A resident of North Delta for 35 years, she helps manage her family's country music band.

Higgins said she believes it's essential Delta develops strategies to make home ownership possible for young families. She made a submission to the housing task force as well as circulating her ideas to seniors groups, provincial and federal politicians, and the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation.

She said she embraces the idea of smaller houses on smaller lots.

SANDEEP PANDHER

Pandher ran for the Conservatives in the riding of Newton-North Delta in the 2008 federal election.

"I am hoping to bring my experience, energy and ideas to the Delta council," said the environmental consultant. "I am consulting with our three communities to hear what they need. I want to be their new voice at council and be an effective advocate for the community with other levels of government."

Pandher said there's a sense in North Delta that the community's issues aren't getting enough attention, due in part to a lack of communication as well as media coverage.

IAN PATON

Endorsed by Mayor Lois Jackson and councillors Bruce McDonald, Scott Hamilton and Robert Campbell, Paton is a Ladner resident and longtime farmer.

The UBC graduate spent a short time teaching before moving on to a full-time career auctioneering, in addition to farming. A director of the Delta Farmers' Institute, he's been involved in various community fundraising endeavours.

Paton said council needs someone from the farming community, which hasn't had a voice at municipal hall for years.

His father, Ian Paton Sr., was a well-known figure in the community who left a legacy of volunteerism.

RAY ROBINSON

He was also a mayoralty candidate in the 2008 election, finishing last with 1.4 per cent of the vote. In that election, Robinson campaigned with his dog, Bark O Poma, as his a running mate.

Some of Robinson's ideas in the last election included banning wood burning in Delta and requiring all trucks going to Deltaport to be converted to natural gas. He also said Delta needs to make criminals move to a more criminal friendly municipality.