On the eve of a likely writ drop in Alberta, I wanted to salute the members of the PC caucus who aren't running again in this coming election.
I had the rare priviledge of serving on the PC Association of Alberta's Executive Committee twice; once as youth wing President, the other as a Regional Director. Particularily during my time as youth President, I was able to travel the province and get to know most of these MLAs in a way that most Albertans do not. Watching them at a constituency function, an industry association event, or on the party's executive gave me a much greater appreciation for the breadth of knowledge and the dedication to public service that they brought to the table.
Although I could have easily been dismissed as some young party hack (and probably still am by some), I thought it important to express how influential these MLAs and the relationships I was able to cultivate with them were during the earliest formative years of my involvement in politics.
Some I have campaigned with, others have graciously hosted me in their constituencies in between elections. One of them let me launch my campaign for PCYA President at his AGM. One of them sent me the most sincere and uplifting expression of support when that Presidency came to an abrupt end. One of them represented a constituency in the Legislature that I represented on the executive. Heck, one of them was my MLA for almost two years!
They all have one thing in common, though. They have all earned my respect, admiration, and deepest thanks for all they have done for me, for their constituents, and for the great province we call home.
I wish them all the very best as they move on from the Legislature and sincerely hope that our paths cross again.
Thank You.
TONY ABBOTT
Drayton Valley-Calmar
Class of 2001
MIKE CARDINAL
Athabasca-Redwater
Class of 1989
HARVEY CENAIKO
Calgary Buffalo
Class of 2001
DAVID COUTTS
Livingstone-Macleod
Class of 1993
VICTOR DOERKSENRed Deer South
Class of 1993
Bonnyville-Cold Lake
Class of 1997
CLINT DUNFORD
Lethbridge West
Class of 1993
GORDON GRAYDON
Grande Prairie-Wapiti
Class of 2001
Airdrie-Chestermere
Class of 1993
DENIS HERARDCalgary Egmont
Class of 1993
LEROY JOHNSONWetaskiwin-Camrose
Class of 1997
ROB LOUGHEEDStrathcona
Class of 1997
Calgary North Hill
Class of 1993
GARY MAR
Calgary MacKay
Class of 1993
GREG MELCHINCalgary North West
Class of 1997
DR. LYLE OBERG
Strathmore-Brooks
Class of 1993
IVAN STRANG
West Yellowhead
Class of 1997
hack. ;-)
ReplyDeleteSurely, this is some kind of joke....
ReplyDeleteThe title of this post should have been "good riddance."
ReplyDeleteI would have hoped that even those who are the most partisan followers of the opposition would be able to get beyond partisanship and understand that those who hold elected office, regardless of party, are still human beings.
ReplyDeleteApparently, that was a rather high hope.
Let the campaign begin.
BR - you're right to argue that all outgoing politicians deserve respect for their public service. I accept that point.
ReplyDeleteHowever, it doesn't take the "most partisan followers" to be skeptical of your love letter to the outgoing Tory MLAs.
Politicans deserve respect, but they also deserve to be held accountable for their actions, especially because they are exercised with the trust of the public. Your post glosses over this fact.
For example, I for one don't think Mr. Abbott deserves only praise for his sexist remarks about Belinda Stronach, his attempted assault on the Offical Opposition's whip, his child-like behavior in the Assembly (go to QP), and his consistent support for social conservative attempts at rolling back the human rights of women, the GLBT community and other minorities. Good riddance, indeed.
Finally, if your post is so above partisanship, why did you choose to exclude outgoing opposition MLAs like Raj Pannu and Maurice Tougas?
Alright, I'll concede a bit of point; agree or disagree with their views, we should be grateful to most of these people for their public service.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I'll agree with TFAC in singling out Tony Abbott as one (among several possible) who I really have no problem not thanking for his service, as I truly believe the province would be a better place had he never entered politics. Ignorance and intolerance like his have no place in the public discourse.
Finally, I'd like to say that I find an impassioned outcry of objective, non-partisanship from the most blindly partisan blogger I occasionally read to be more than a bit hypocritical.
Oh sure, Ivan Strang contributed much to the province. Like on March 8, 1998 in the Legislature, when he told Raj Pannu to "go back to India."
ReplyDeleteThinkin' fellers from the hinterland. Thanks Ivan. For going away.
jeemang,
ReplyDeleteYeah, Tony got the heave-ho. But there is something there. He competed for the nomination again... and lost. Alberta Liberals are too busy "appointing" people left and right.