Pubdate: Thu, 27 Oct 2005
Source: Province, The (CN BC)
Section: Pg A02
Copyright: 2005 The Province
Contact:  http://www.canada.com/vancouver/theprovince/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/476
Author: Clare Ogilvie

POSSIBLE DRUG CHARGE 'NOT A FACTOR' IN QUITTING POLITICS

Hyndman Says Personal Bankruptcy Forced Him Out

WHISTLER -- A businessman who has dropped out of the race for mayor 
is to appear in court today where he may face a charge of possessing cocaine.

James "Buster" Hyndman said yesterday the matter played no role in 
his decision to withdraw from the race to be mayor of Whistler.

"I met all the technicalities for running for mayor and that was not 
a factor in my decision," he said.

Hyndman said he or his lawyer would appear in North Vancouver 
Provincial Court today.

Asked about the cocaine allegation, he said: "I mean, put it this 
way, you know, you are innocent until you are proven guilty and the 
court case is a year away . . .

"I wasn't using, you see . . . If I'm found, if charges are dropped 
and I'm found not guilty, then it is totally irrelevant . . .

"I am not ashamed of any part of my life."

Hyndman operated Busterinos pizza restaurant -- voted the best pizza 
place in Whistler in 2003 -- for six years, but it ran into financial 
trouble and closed recently.

It is being sued by Neptune Foods for $1,687.86 and Hyndman said he 
is facing personal bankruptcy.

On Sept. 8, Hyndman announced that he was seeking Whistler's top job 
to help independent business owners like himself survive in tough 
economic times.

Later in the month he was stopped by the RCMP, who allegedly found a 
small amount of cocaine in his vehicle.

He was detained and released on an order to appear in court today, 
where he may be charged with possessing cocaine and

alcohol-related offences.

He filed his nomination papers on or around the Oct. 4 deadline.

Hyndman said he withdrew because he could not afford to run a campaign.

"I withdrew just because of my financial situation," he said.

"My business was closing, unfortunately. I am sad. I really wanted to 
be a part of it but I am just unable to, at this time, mount a 
campaign because of my financial situation -- which is sad, as there 
were a lot of good things I want to speak about. Just the timing wasn't right.

"I withdrew from the race because I am about to take six years of 
personal bankruptcy, if you follow, and so this issue . . . is 
totally irrelevant and has nothing to do with my decision and I will win."

Hyndman, 36, is the son of former Socred cabinet minister Peter 
Hyndman, who resigned in 1982 after opposition MLAs questioned his 
expense accounts.

The 1982 allegations centred around a $1,500 trip to Arizona and 
bottles of expensive French wine.

Peter Hyndman, a lawyer with a Vancouver law firm, is helping to run 
the Non-Partisan Association's civic election campaign.
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MAP posted-by: Beth