And then there were four.
Two more candidates have announced they are running for school trustee in the upcoming civic election.
Anita Ansari and Maya Russell are both “deeply rooted in their neighbourhood and community,” according to a press release.
Ansari is a practising engineer and has two children. She also helps run the New West Mom’s Group Facebook page, a group of 2,700 mothers from in and around the city who provide support and advice to one another. She also volunteers as co-chair of St. Barnabas Childcare.
“I love this community and how we bring together people with stories from all around the world. The support between moms from all walks of life is really remarkable. I’m stepping up because I want my kids to see New Westminster’s diversity reflected in our city’s elected bodies,” Ansari said in the release, adding she wants to help guide the New Westminster school district through the capital projects process.
Russell has a background in communications and government and works for a provincial mental health organization. Her three kids attend Richard McBride Elementary School and École Glenbrook Middle School. She volunteers with the District Parent Advisory Council, school PAC and Parents for Public Education, and has been active with Royal City Youth Soccer, the New Westminster Minor Salmonbellies, Vivo Choir and Queens Park Preschool.
“Four years ago, parents’ confidence in the school district was shaken. We have seen so much progress as a district since then,” Russell said in the release. “I’m interested in what we can do in this next phase, looking at a mental health strategy to support children, youth and staff, building stronger connections between school and home, and how we make sure new provincial funding makes a difference for kids in classrooms.”
Both Russell and Ansari are seeking an endorsement from the New Westminster and District Labour Council.
Earlier this month, Cyrus Sy and Lisa Falbo announced they were seeking the New West Progressives' nomination to run in the school board race this fall.
