Former Non-Partisan Association outreach chair Peter Ormesher has launched a membership drive as part of his to win the civic party's mayoral nomination. In an email sent to friends and supporters, Mr. Ormesher writes he has "left the board of the NPA to run against Sam Sullivan (and now Peter Ladner for the NPA nomination, because I have seen what it is like behind closed doors, behind the scenes. You don't want to know." Nevertheless, a paragraph later, Mr. Ormesher tells them, stating "from behind the scenes, you recognize that (Mayor Sullivan) is not a strong and capable leader." He then goes on to urge his friends to become party members by April 22 so they can vote for him at the association's nomination meeting on June 8. The following is a complete copy of that email.

----- Forwarded message from peter@peterormesher.com -----
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 2008 16:36:41 -0700
From: peter@peterormesher.com
Reply-To: peter@peterormesher.com
Subject: Help Needed - Mayor's Job - City of Vancouver - Pass it On!

April 22nd is deadline

Dear Friends,

I so very seldom asked for help from my friends. I am happily the one asked to help others. But I hope you allow me this one exception. Besides helping me, I get to help you, even more.

We need a strong and competent Mayor in this City. We deserve one. I have just left the board of the NPA to run against Sam Sullivan (and now Peter Ladner) for the NPA nomination, because I have seen what it is like behind closed doors, behind the scenes. You don't want to know.

The NPA is a great group of dedicated people, but they are leaderless. As Chair of Outreach, I heard too often that Sam Sullivan has been a disappointment to the public that elected him. From behind the scenes, you recognize that he is not a strong and capable leader. He has failed to convince Peter Ladner and he has failed to fool the public. We deserve something better, with more experience at turning our City around. Sam's priorities, his way of doing things, and his lack of understanding of how the real world works, is wasting our time and our money. Traffic and our roads are getting worse, housing is not affordable, taxes are rocketing up, crime is on the rise (while he says it is getting better), and all that focussed effort on giving free drugs to drug addicts, and time wasted explaining EcoDensity, was a waste of time and focus. When is enough, enough?

I have made the difficult decision to place my my capabilities and experience before the members of the NPA, and then, if successful, the people of Vancouver, as its Mayoral candidate,for one of the most important elections of our time. In doing so, I am standing up to Sam, and bucking what some say are overwhelming odds. But Decision Vancouver 2008 is just too important to worry about the job ahead to secure the nomination. That is why I am writing you.

To do this, I need you to take action. It will not take much, but we must act quickly to be able to overcome the overwhelming political machine and financial resources that Sam has built.

I believe that nothing is impossible, if we have courage. We have a plan, and you can see that you are the key part of it:

1) pass this email to your friends, colleagues and family that care about Vancouver and trust your judgement about people. The more the better, so thank you. It hope it feels good.

2) print out the NPA membership form attached, and with your friends and associates, JOIN the NPA before April 22. Then come vote for me at a nomination meeting on June 8th. It is only $20 to join (cheque or credit card only), but it may just be the best investment in your community that you could ever make. Email me or call 604 764 0065 with questions. We must get the forms in by April 22, so let me know if you need help.

3) keep an eye on http://retiresam.com. if you wish to get involved, I have included a small sign that can be printed and posted anywhere you can. We can all subscribe for free, and then keep up to date on where this race is going. Also, if you wish to volunteer, let me know. We will be having a few social gatherings, to connect one another.In the next days I will be putting up my website www.peterormesher.com and I will send you a brief background on me.

Many people have said over the course of years "Why can we not have more capable and competent people in politics?". Already, there are some good people, but the biggest reason is that WE must do something to give them a chance. They are unknown, and to the established politicians, not welcome unless you give them the chance. This is what I seek.

Will you give me that chance?

If so, I will work my hardest and use all my leadership experience and capabilities to not disappoint you. To get this City back on track. Like another has not.

Thank you and welcome to Decision Vancouver 2008.

Warmest regards,

Peter Ormesher