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Jim Postnikoff, Liberal candidate for Kootenay West

Jim Postnikoff will represent the BC Liberal Party in the Kootenay West riding.
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Jim Postnikoff has been named a candidate for the BC Liberal Party in the Kootenay West riding.

The BC Liberal party has named a candidate for the Kootenay West riding.

Jim Postnikoff will represent the party and make his second attempt at wrestling away the NDP grip on the riding.

In the 2013 provincial election, Postnikoff finished second to incumbent Katrine Conroy of the NDP with 3,592 votes and 21.33 per cent of the support.

“I have always looked for opportunities to give back to the community that raised me and has given me so much,” said Postnikoff in a press release. “That’s why I’m seeking the opportunity to represent Kootenay West and make sure we share in the benefits of B.C.’s strong economy.”

The local entrepreneur was born in Nelson and raised in Shoreacres and Castlegar. He has developed several businesses including aggregates, trucking and excavating, and continues to own and operate a storage businesses.

According to his press release, Postnikoff is a long-time community volunteer, having served as president of Castlegar Minor Hockey, Parent Advisory Council chair, Bantam Governor for West Kootenay Minor Hockey, president of Kootenay Slocan Lions Club, and others.

Postnikoff, who lives on a hobby farm, began his career as a Red Seal millwright working in the forestry, mining, and pulp industries, and returned to Selkirk College to upgrade his skills including business administration courses.

Postnikoff brings the Kootenay West candidate total to three including Conroy and Samantha Troy of the Green Party for the May 9 provincial election.

Key dates include Writ Day on April 11, which is the day the election is expected to be officially called. The nomination period for candidates officially ends one week later, on April 18 at 1 p.m.

Elections BC is working behind-the-scenes before General Voting Day on May 9, with district electoral offices opening in the next two weeks.

Don Vinish, District Electoral Officer for Kootenay West, confirmed that the Trail office will be located at 900 Spokane Street, and hiring will begin April 12.

Those interested in a position are encouraged to review the electoral district maps (elections.bc.ca/maps) to determine which district they would like to work in. Applicants may apply for work in more than one electoral district, however submitting an application does not guarantee employment.

Voting officers and voting clerks will earn $250 on May 9, though the day is long -14 hours or more. Duties begin with set-up of the voting place at 7 a.m. and conclude with completion of ballot count at approximately 9:30 p.m. In between start and finish, election workers must be prepared to sit or stand for long periods.

Rules do apply for Elections BC work: election officials must be at least 15 years old and legally entitled to work in B.C.; a training session is mandatory and must be completed before working as an election official even if the individual has worked the position before.

Office contact information will be published on the Elections BC website April 10, or applicants may call Elections BC at 1-800-661-8683 to find out the nearest location of the district electoral office.

Locally, advance voting will take place at the Royal Canadian Legions in Trail, Castlegar, and Nakusp. Those dates are on April 29 and April 30 from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m., and Wednesday May 3 to Saturday May 6 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. General Voting Day is Tuesday, May 9, from 8 a.m. until 8 p.m. Pacific time.