Vrebosch wants MP job

They tell him at Wal-Mart, at the Golden Age Centre, and in country stores.

Everywhere Bill Vrebosch goes, people keep telling him they’ve heard he’s seeking the Nipissing federal Liberal nomination, the East Ferris mayor says.

“I haven’t talked to anybody about this and I don’t know where it’s coming from, but somebody in the region seems to know and I wish that someone would come and tell me,” Vrebosch said.

Not that the 60-year-old DJ company owner would be averse to the idea, he said.

“I do aspire to other political levels, including the MP’s job,” Vrebosch said, “but I don’t have a lot of money to buy the nomination and that’s the biggest problem.”

No fear going into an election
Nipissing MP Bob Wood announced Friday he would be leaving politics, opening up the position he’s held for more than 15 years.

The names of at least four people interested in succeeding him have surfaced: Susan Church, Hugh McLachlan, Anthony Rota and Ted Hargreaves with more likely to emerge in the days and weeks ahead.

Vrebosch said he’d also like to enter the race and would have no fear going into an election as the Liberal candidate.

In 30 years as a politician “I’ve never come in second,” Vrebosch said.

As well, playing old-timer fastball has taken Vrebosch all over the region and up into the part of the tri-towns which is slated to become part of the Nipissing riding.
“I know all kinds of people,” Vrebosch said.

Who sells most memberships
But he’s a hard-nosed realist who knows how higher-tier nominations are secured.

“It comes down to who sells the most party memberships,” Vrebosch said.

“My problem is I’m not a ticket seller. I believe in people and I'm not the type of guy who comes up to you and says ‘give me part of your wallet’.”

Vrebosch’s style is to tell his constituents to put a pot of coffee on, because he’s on his way over.

More concerned about Vrebosch
About 10 years ago Vrebosch did try to win the Parry Sound-Muskoka Liberal nomination, but lost out to Near North District School Board trustee Randy Sheppard.

“I got burned, I didn’t have an organization ready. You have to come out fast.”

Ernie Eves, the MPP at the time, was more concerned about going up against Vrebosch than Sheppard, Vrebosch said he was told by Tory insiders.

Vrebosch believes he’s earned the trust of voters and said he feels “humbled” so many people are asking him about his purported run at federal politics.

“But you need the money to do it or at least have a wealthy backer.”