CIVIC ELECTION: De Cicco will seek fifth term at city hall

Veteran Coun. John De Cicco waited until Friday, Sept. 9, to announce his bid for re-election in November’s civic election. De Cicco joins fellow incumbents Tina Lange, Marg Spina, Denis Walsh, Nancy Bepple and Pat Wallace in seeking another term. So far, seven non-incumbents are also running for council. 

JEREMY DEUTSCH PHOTO/KTW

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He initially considered retiring from local politics, but a longtime city councillor has decided to defend his seat at city hall.

John De Cicco will seek a fifth term on council in the November civic election.

He made the announcement at a Sept. 9 press conference in downtown Kamloops.

De Cicco is the final council member to declare his intention for the fall election.

He said he was seriously planning not to run because of the time council took away from his downtown barber shop, but he recently hired an associate who has helped free up his time.

De Cicco noted he had been approached by business and working people who he said  liked his “common-sense approach” to issues and who urged him to run.

In 2008, De Cicco finished seventh in voting, just 210 votes ahead of the cut to keep his seat.

He acknowledged a victory won’t be a given in November, but he feels as confident as in past elections.

De Cicco was first elected to council in 1999.

If successful in November, he will be the second-longest serving city councillor behind Pat Wallace.

When asked whether it is important to have new people on council, De Cicco noted there are always a couple of new faces after each election.

“I feel very comfortable with some of the decisions we’ve [council] made and I’d like to continue that way,” he said.

De Cicco weighed in on an issue likely to dominate the upcoming election campaign —  the proposed Ajax mine south of Aberdeen.

He said he likes what the mine can offer in economic spinoffs, but only if it can pass the environmental-assessment process.

There will be at least two new faces on council with John O’Fee’s departure earlier this year to join the Tk’emlups Indian Band as CEO and Jim Harker’s decision to move to Vancouver Island later this year.

Seven candidates — Arjun Singh, Ray Nyuli, Nelly Dever, Bryce Eberle, Andy Philpot, Donovan Cavers and Peter Sharp — have announced their intention to challenge council incumbents.