Dennis Adamson, electoral area director for Yale at the Fraser Valley Regional District, has announced he's seeking the New Democratic Party's nomination in the provincial Chilliwack-Hope riding.
Adamson has been an outspoken advocate for residents opposed to "conflict gravel" operations in the region, the same constituency as Chilliwack River Valley resident Glen Thompson is counting on to support his bid for the NDP nomination.
While Thompson has also been an outspoken critic of gravel removal operations, Adamson said he believes that he has the government experience to make a difference as MLA, if he wins the NDP nomination and goes on to take the riding currently held by BC Liberal MLA Barry Penner.
"The fact is I've had some experience doing the job as electoral area director, with a $13-million budget to look after," he said.
Adamson said he sits on 13 FVRD committees, including the Hope airport and recreation commissions and the Fraser Valley Treaty Commission, "and I've spent the last three years serving the people."
In that time, Adamson said he's travelled some 34,000 kilometres around the region, and spent "countless hours" pouring over government documents.
A former volunteer firefighter, and member of the Yale Ratepayers' Association, Adamson said he wasn't politically active until he ran for election in Area B, but since then he has "taken the job seriously."
"I've made some tough choices, because it was the right thing to do, because it was in the best interests of the people," he said.
Adamson said he's also been unafraid to speak out on behalf of residents, fighting for cellphone coverage in the Yale area, and saving taxpayers thousands of dollars each for geo-technical studies for needed dike work.
"In the short time I've been elected, I've accomplished a great deal for my area," he said.
"I'm just an everyday working guy," Adamson said, and he looks for "common sense" solutions to problems faced by residents.
"I just feel I'm qualified (to run for provincial elected office) … and I love it," he said, about his bid for the nomination. "I think I've found my calling."
rfreeman@theprogress.com