Delta’s other worst kept secret is no more.
Former police chief Jim Cessford confirmed he’ll be entering the mayoralty race in the upcoming civic election.
(For more civic election coverage visit http://www.delta-optimist.com/municipal-election)
Cessford, who joined the police department in 1995 and retired three years ago as the longest-serving police chief in the country, will be running for council with incumbent councillors Bruce McDonald and Jeannie Kanakos as well as newcomers Sandeep Pandher and Garry Shearer on an Independents Working for You slate. Also part of the ticket is school board chair Laura Dixon and Jeannie’s husband Nick Kanakos, also an incumbent trustee, both intending to run once again for the board of education. Also running on the ticket for school board is Joe Muego, the Delta District Parent Advisory Council chair.
Cessford said since his retirement a number of people have approached him about taking the next step and running for mayor. He said he had to give it some serious thought and is now excited about the opportunity to run with such an outstanding group.
“I’ve gotten some really positive feedback from people and I’ve really enjoyed serving this community. When I retired as chief, I thought it was time to move on from that role, but I decided to try the next level,” he told the Optimist this evening.
Cessford feels his group and bring a fresh perspective on Delta issues and he has the skills and attributes to create many positives for Delta.
He noted they still have to work out their campaign strategy over the next few weeks.
“I’m a big strategic planner and I want to make sure we have our plan in place,” he added.
Cessford ran for the Liberal nomination for Delta South, losing out to Ian Paton who eventually won the riding in last year’s provincial election. In 2016, shortly after losing the nomination, he was diagnosed with throat cancer but is now in recovery mode.
Cessford received a number of awards and honours over the years. He was the recipient of the Governor General's First Bar for 40 years of exemplary police service, was named Citizen of the Year by the Delta Chamber of Commerce in 2009, was granted the Order of Merit for Police Services in 2010 and received the Queen's Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012 for his continued and outstanding service.
Also running for mayor are Sylvia Bishop and George Harvie, both also having slates.
The election takes place Oct. 20.
