Supporters of the best hope for an independent breakthrough on city council gathered in the city's oldest neighbourhood Saturday.
The Ouno Design studio, the former Great Depression-era Good Shepherd Mission, was bathed in pink and bouncing to the beat of dance music as Sandy Garossino casually mingled.
The former Crown prosecutor and taxi company owner announced her candidacy Oct. 3, running on a campaign of openness, fiscal discipline and economic development.
"This has been so fun," said Garossino of the fall campaign. "This has just been the ride of my life, I just loved it."
By 9 p.m., Garossino was 22nd after 13 of 135 polls were in, 7,000 votes behind 10th place Vision Vancouver incumbent Geoff Meggs.
"The verdict of the voters is just the beginning. I have so much positive response from everybody and almost every walk of life, I'm absolutely certain this is what people want."
This, she says, is a true non-partisan, independent option at 12th and Cambie. Garossino rocketed to prominence last spring as the leader of the Vancouver Not Vegas coalition that successfully campaigned against a proposed expansion of the Edgewater Casino. Paragon Gaming did get approval to move the existing Edgewater licence, but the $450 million complex connected to B.C. Place Stadium is in limbo.
"I don't think people are as partisan as the process forces them toward," she said. "They are really hungry for an alternative."
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