Conservative membership deadline looms

Times Contributor 

 

As the federal Conservatives are ramping up to elect their representative for the new Bow River riding, the Electoral District Association (EDA) President Stirling Fox cannot over-emphasize the importance of Conservatives in the riding to buy their memberships.

“You basically have two weeks to get your membership bought if you want to be a part of choosing who will represent the federal Conservatives (in the 2015 federal election),” said Fox. 

To be eligible to vote, you must have had your membership for at least 21 days before the voting deadline date.  The national party called for the EDA to complete its candidate selection process, as they will have to be vetted by the national selection council in order to run in the election.

“Most of the paperwork is complete, so we know that is in order,” explained Fox. “Certainly memberships are available from our board members, but most people go online (conservative.ca) and complete the process there.” 

The four men who are stepping forward are: Martin Shields, current Mayor of Brooks; Rolly Ashdown, Councilor and former Reeve of Rocky View County; Rob Anders, who is currently serving as a federal MP for the Calgary West electoral zone; and Gerard Lucyshyn, a Mount Royal University professor who lives with his family in Langdon.

Martin Shields has been involved in politics since 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Education and a Master of Arts. Prior to his career in politics, Shields served as a teacher and school administrator for 30 years and taught part time as a university instructor for 20 years.  He currently serves as the Director of Strathmore-Brooks Alberta Conservative Constituency Association and is a past President of the Medicine Hat Federal Conservative Constituency Association.  

Shields has been living in Brooks with his family for 35 years and is committed to the success and quality of the community, shown through his involvement in various organizations such as the Alberta Library Trustees Association (Board Member), the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (Vice-President), the Shortgrass Regional Library System Board (Vice Chair Person), Palliser Regional Health Board (Vice-Chair), and the Palliser Area Health Advisory Committee (Vice-Chair).

Rolly Ashdown was born in Lucky Lake, Saskatchewan and came to southern Alberta in 1977. Prior to becoming a councillor Ashdown spent 20 years as a realtor and a business owner. He has participated in many community committees as part of his work and has also served as Conservative party president for the former Crowfoot area. He and his wife Karen live in the community and enjoy interacting with its residents. He said that his past experience in municipal government has given him the insight and experience he believes will help him if he succeeds in representing the area federally. See www.rollyashdown.ca for more details.

“I believe in the Conservative party. I believe in their politics. I find politics interesting and I am ready to step up to another level,” said Ashdown. 

He is hoping everyone will come out soon and obtain their party memberships. He considers it one of the best ways to ensure peoples candidate of choice to represent their views in the federal parliament.

The controversial Rob Anders has federally represented the Calgary West region as an MP since 1997. He has announced publically his intention to run for the Bow River riding. Anders applied to represent the new riding of Calgary Signal Hill in April, but lost the nomination battle to former Alberta finance minister Ron Liepert. Rob Anders was first elected on June 2, 1997. He began his career as deputy critic for Human Resources for the Reform party in 1998 was appointed the chief critic for Senate and Patronage. As the official opposition’s chief critic, he created and chaired the Elected Senate Action Team – a task force to advance the cause of Senate Reform in Canada. Rob currently sits on many federal committees, which can be seen at www.robanders.ca 

Gerard Lucyshyn was born in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and grew up across the prairies, in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba. He attended graduate school at Carleton University in Ottawa, Ontario and relocated back to Alberta in 2001.Gerard and his wife, Sheila reside in Langdon with their two sons Michael and Adam.

In his work as a professor he delivers lectures on globalization and economics. He has served on various committees and boards throughout his career. His extensive curriculum vitae can be seen online at www.gerardlucyshyn.ca 

Fox said that all candidates must submit their intention to run to the EDA and file the requisite paperwork before it can be official. Once accepted, all candidates must step down from their current government positions, if elected to represent the public in the Bow River federal constituency.