Article appeared in the Sept 29, 2011 issue of the Interlake Spectator…
John Zasitko is running as an Independent for MLA in the Interlake riding. The 47-year-old Poplarfield resident decided to join his rival, Steve Lupky of the Progressive Conservative Party, and neighbour, Tom Nevakshonoff of the NDP, who he has known since childhood.
“I’ve got as good a chance (at winning) as the PC party has,” said Zasitko, “just because I’m me and I’ve been here all my life, and people know me.”
Zasitko believes he has what the people want, and what they want is to be told the truth.
“I can bring honesty and truthfulness, and tell people what’s really happening instead of beating around the bush—call a spade a spade. That’s what people want.”
Zasitko is the eldest of three children. His grandparents settled in Poplarfield upon their arrival from the Ukraine in the late 1800s. Zasitko took courses in heavy duty mechanics at the Assiniboine University in Brandon after he graduated high school. He has spent the last 23 years working in the agricultural industry selling agricultural implements, and getting to know everyone in the region.
“A couple of years ago people approached me to run for the PC party—local people, friends, co-workers. I guess they thought that I’m honest and truthful,” said Zasitko.
Last year Zasitko won the nomination to run as the PC candidate for the Interlake riding, after selling more than 400 memberships.
“I won quite handily,” he said.
However, after about a year representing that party, he got the news that he would be let go of as the Interlake candidate.
“After that, they appointed Steve Lupky—Steve Lupky was my campaign manager,” Zasitko explained.
“I was disappointed, and I didn’t feel good for a few days. I’ve never been fired or let go of a job before.”
Zasitko recounts meetings leading up to his dismissal with Senator Don Plett, founding President of the National Council of the Conservative Party of Canada, appointed by Stephen Harper.
“The first time I met him he says to me, ‘I hear you’re kind of rough around the edges.’ I said, ‘Well, what you see is what you get.’ That meeting never went very well,” said Zasitko.
After being ousted, Zasitko was determined to stay in the race. He is not running on any specific platform, and feels that running as an Independent is a benefit.
“I’m working for the people. The platform is basically the people of the Interlake,” Zasitko said. “I’m not answering to any big bosses. I’m answering to the people of the Interlake. What I’m going to take to the table is what the people of the Interlake want, not what a party wants.”
“There’s all kinds of issues. Everything from flood issues to keeping our youth in the community, seniors issues, native communities, just to list a few off,” he said.
“I feel that I represent everybody in the Interlake, whether it be a Ukrainian guy from Poplarfield, an Aboriginal or Icelandic person.”
