A woman who ran unsuccessfully for a seat on Langley City council two years ago and then sued over the results, is once again putting her name forth — this time for mayor.
Serena Oh ran for Township of Langley mayor in 2014 losing to mayor Jack Froese, and then ran for councillor in the 2016 City of Langley byelection which saw Nathan Pachal elected to the seat formerly occupied by the late Dave Hall.
Asked about her profession, Oh, who moved to Langley City five years ago, said she works as an advisor for the “highest ranking politicians.” She believes her experience with politicians gives her the skills needed to be mayor.
Oh said politicians now in office do not speak up or do enough for the City.
“I’m learning to be a voice to give a better future,” she said.
Among Oh’s priorities are affordable housing, infrastructure and cleaner transit. She said she strives for a “safe, healthy and vibrant community.”
“The biggest issue is affordable housing. I also notice transit is quite messy inside. At the moment I’m using buses, and they’re messy,” said Oh.
After the City’s 2016 byelection, Oh attempted to overturn the results when she came in last. Oh claimed that 1,000 or 2,000 votes had been destroyed.
“All I wanted to do was recount. I asked them for just one day more.”
The BC Supreme Court and BC Court of Appeal heard the case and both times judges decided there was not enough evidence to support Oh’s claims.
The judges also ordered Oh to pay a portion of the City’s legal expenses. The City confirmed that Oh has not yet repaid those expenses.
This year, Oh said she will accept the results of the municipal election. She is running against mayoral candidates Peter Fassbender and Val van den Broek.
“Oh, absolutely, there’s more than enough voters lined up so how can I lose? Not possible,” she said.
Oh added that telling the facts and using common sense is also important.
“Common sense is no longer there,” said Oh.
