| Jason Cox |
“It’s been called the worst kept secret in Penticton,” said Cox, who also ran for council in 2011. Though he didn’t make a formal announcement, Cox said he’s been working on his campaign since last October.
Mostly, he said, it’s been about having conversations with people, at a series of “town halls” he hosted but also on the streets, at homes and businesses.
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“I’ve spent three to four hours a day having conversations with people … just finding a sense of what the issues are and how to solve them, and how I can best help,” said Cox. “I was trying to decide how I could help and what position I should run for in order to be most helpful.”
The formal announcement takes place at noon on Aug. 23, at Time Winery in Downtown Penticton in an event open to the public.
Cox, who owns The People’s Soda Company, a craft soft drink manufacturing business, has been an active member of a number of boards and committees, including three terms as president of the Penticton and Wine Country Chamber of Commerce.
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His love of the political realm started young. Cox said he has been active in politics since age 16, when he got involved with the Progressive Conservative party.
‘It changed my life. I was probably on a bad track before that. I figured out that one individual, a 16-year-old kid from B.C., could make a difference in public policy and I’ve been hooked ever since,” said Cox.
After moving to Penticton in 2004, Cox said his focus changed to more community-based public policy.
“I’ve been more involved with organizations like the chamber and the B.C. chamber, advocating for people more directly than through the party system,” said Cox.
The list of groups Cox has been involved with is a long one, including the Canadian Mental Health Association, the South Okanagan Similkameen Brain Injury Society and the Okanagan International Children’s Festival as well as a number of City of Penticton advisory committees.