Hitting the campaign trail

Shannon LeClair
Times Reporter

 

With the election coming on May 5, candidates can be seen all over Strathmore trying to convince people to cast a vote their way.
On April 15 PC candidate Molly Douglass and Wildrose Party candidate Derek Fildebrandt were in town council chambers to meet with the mayor and council, and talk about their campaigns.
Douglass has been involved in local government for 11 years, and has lived in the area for 34 years.
“These days some people might find it hard to be a Progressive Conservative but I totally believe that they are the only party that can sort out affairs, and I think they are the only one that has the leadership available to make the decisions that need to happen to get our spending under control in the province of Alberta, and to decide what services our residents want, and want to pay for and get back to saving money,” said Douglass.
She believes that all levels of government need to be working for the ratepayers.
“I believe in public service, I don’t think we need to get paid for everything we do, and I certainly believe in the greater good principal when it comes to decision making, and I think those are philosophies to be carried through all levels of government,” said Douglass.
Fildebrandt said there have been enough empty promises coming from the PC government in the areas of schools and health care.
“Regardless if I am on the government benches, or the opposition benches, I will not be on the back benches and I will not be quiet when fighting for the interests of Strathmore-Brooks, I will not fear a party whip coming down on me if our community doesn’t receive funding that it was promised for projects,” said Fildebrandt.
“What matters is that an MLA be willing to stand up to be heard, forcefully if necessary.”
April 17 saw Premier Jim Prentice stop by the Station for a quick visit with PC supporters. Approximately 25 people showed up for the event.
“We need to have an election because I don’t have a mandate to bring in the kind of budget that was just brought in. When I ran to be the leader of our party oil prices were a $110 a barrel, they’re now at $55 or so this week,” said Prentice about why he called an election now.
“We’re now staring down a $7 billion deficit, when I was running to be leader it looked like we were going to have a $3 billion or $4 billion surplus, so things have changed a lot overnight and these are pretty traumatic times for the province.”
Prentice stands by the PC budget plan, stating that they brought forward a realistic plan, they have worked hard on it and have been honest with Albertans about the choices now being faced.
When asked by Strathmore Councillor Steve Grajczyk about the empty wing at the hospital, Prentice deflected by saying the Minster of Health is responsible for that, but did say that communities need to starting getting better use of the facilities currently in place, and that more money than ever is being put into healthcare annually.
The election is May 5, with advanced polls being held at the Strathmore Municipal Library April 29, 30, May 1 and 2. More information can be found at elections.ab.ca.