Here's
a feel-good story about a community do-gooder who is poised to be a
giant killer in election. I would nominate Mel Lehan for the BC Community
Achievement Award and the Courage to Come Back Award & am glad to
be his friend. He is a committed activist filled with compassion and love for people and Kitsilano.
In a Vancouver Sun article BC's Most Influential People, Mel Lehan was ranked at #21, with Gordon Campbell at #54.
Mel is known as the “Mayor of Kitsilano.” His list of achievements and awards is long and inspiring.
On Saturday, the Vancouver Sun published a story about Mel titled: NDP candidate in Point Grey says premier is vulnerable
years ago Mel Lehan, the tireless community activist who's been called
the “Mayor of Kitsilano,” was diagnosed with cancer of the esophagus
and stomach and given a 15-per-cent chance of surviving five years.
I first met Mel during the 2005 Vancouver civic elections. He was running for Parks Board as a COPE candidate, but he wasn't elected. I later got to know Mel better since the summer of 2007 when he tried out dragon boat paddling with me. We really bonded over sharing our cancer survival stories, and our commitments to our communities. He asked me to play accordion at the “Tribute to Mel Lehan” last fall, and to be a seconder for his constituency nomination in January. Mel and his wife Barbara absolutely LOVED attending the Gung Haggis Fat Choy this year in January.
At the October 2008 “Tribute to Mel Lehan” at the St. James Hall last year. Many community leaders were there to support and praise Mel, but somehow the MLA for Vancouver-West Point Grey was not in attendance to help celebrate one of the constituency's community leaders.
See my story: Mel Lehan, “Mayor of Kitsilano” is celebrated for his community achievments at St. James Hall Oct 19th.
www.straight.com/article-178550/lehan-takes-premier – 73k – Cached – Similar pages
NDP candidate says he's greener than Greens
www.canada.com/vancouvercourier/news/story.html?id=5b4a464c-dd8b-
B.C.'s most influential people
www.chtv.com/ch/cheknews/story.html?id=1130635 – 45k – Cached – Similar pages