Pubdate: Fri, 02 Aug 2002 Source: Victoria News (CN BC) Copyright: 2002 Victoria News Contact: http://www.vicnews.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1267 Author: Tarina White Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mmjcn.htm (Cannabis - Medicinal - Canada) Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/youth.htm (Youth) MAYORAL CANDIDATE SMITH UNVEILS PLATFORM The race for mayor is beginning to gain steam, as Victoria Mayor Alan Lowe was expected to announce Tuesday whether he'll run again, an announcement scheduled for after the Victoria News' deadline. Yet on Monday, medical marijuana advocate Leon 'Ted' Smith became the first candidate to officially declare his intention to seek the city's top political post. Officially unveiling his political platform outside Victoria City Hall, a platform he claims is based on 'thoughtful economic development', Smith declared there will be a number of changes within the city if he's elected mayor in November. 'I am here... to declare that municipal politics will no longer be strictly about buildings, but will be about human issues,' he said. At the top of Smith's list of priorities are plans to develop a downtown youth centre to keep kids out of trouble. As well, he would like to rejuvenate former mayor Bob Cross' task force on safety and the quality of life. 'Right now, we're putting out 21 platforms and issues based upon sustainable communities, sound economic policies that will reinvigorate housing in the downtown, give youth better things to do with their time than hang out on the streets and bring both the social and the serving agencies together more,' Smith says of what he'll offer Victoria voters as a platform. He confidently declared that he 'shall be mayor'. 'There will be thousands of people who will be changing their minds and deciding to vote for someone who's willing to put their life on the line to make this city a safer and better place for everyone,' he said. - --- MAP posted-by: Jackl