Odds and Ends

UPDATED with results from Calgary North West!

The hotline from Calgary North West informs me that technology worker and community activist Lindsay Blackett has won a competitive race against law enforcement officer Vince Caleffi. This was the last of the big races in Calgary and, given the population of the riding, had a very impressive turnout.

Some people have suggested that the ghost of Frank Bruseker (former Liberal MLA for the riding) may yet rise and see this riding fall to the Liberals in the election. Something tells me that ain't gonna happen.

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Congratulations are to be extended to Robin Campbell, winner of last night's PC nomination in the constituency of West Yellowhead.

Mr. Campbell is currently the head of the local chapter of the United Mine Workers and has been a staunch supporter of PC Alberta (and Ivan Strang) ever since the government took a stand in support of the Cheviot mine. In an interview at the time of his announcement, Campbell said "we understood that the PCs supported us and helped us keep our jobs. That goes a long way with us, and it goes a long way with me.”

Sounds to me like he's very much in touch with the people of West Yellowhead. I'm sure he'll make a fine MLA.

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Finally, a few brief words about the ongoing saga in Calgary Egmont.

The PC Alberta executive, a body to which I was elected 3 times, will be meeting this weekend to decide the future of Craig Chandler as the party's candidate in Egmont. I can completely understand the position in which the executive has been placed.

My best advice to PCAA exec members is to carefully consider the ramifications of allowing someone with a history of remarks that are contradictory to the party's Statement of Principles to be a representative before and during an election.

In many ways, the horse has already left the barn when it comes to the media frenzy surrounding this story. No matter how PCAA proceeds, it will be news and will result in some very intense scrutiny. What needs to be weighed is which group we should be more concerned about accomodating... Chandler's supporters or a broad cross-section of the Alberta public who are still undecided voters?

One more thing. Speaking of Chandler's supporters, I wish this man would go away. Mr. Crutcher is not reflective of the average PC Alberta member, nor does he have much of a history in the party.

He was thrust into the spotlight when elected President of Calgary Egmont as part of a takeover attempt in the lead up to the nomination. Mr. Crutcher can huff and puff about the party and its processes all he wants, but I don't think he has much credibility in the party or amongst the general public.

Should he chose to resign if the PCAA decision isn't to his liking, I think your average Alberta Tory would welcome the move.

An update from Edmonton

Thanks to a few handy sources, I am able to tell you tonight that former Liberal and Conservative MLA Andrew Beniuk has won the PC nomination in Edmonton Highlands-Norwood over up-and-comer T.J. Keil.

T.J. is to be commended for throwing his hat into the ring and for signing up enough new members in a short period of time to make this a race.

Mr. Beniuk also deserves congratulations and good luck... he'll certainly need it going up against Brian Mason.

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Briefly in other nomination news, Eugenia Leskiw won the PC nomination in Bonnyville-Cold Lake over the weekend. From the limited news sources available, I can tell you that Ms. Leskiw is a long-time teacher in the area and is very active in the Ukrainian community. If successful in the election, Ms. Leskiw will take over from retiring MLA Denis Ducharme.

Also, I will be on the lookout for info as to who won tonight's PC nomination in West Yellowhead to replace retiring MLA Ivan Strang.

Both Ducharme and Strang were top-notch MLAs who were well respected both in and out of the legislature. Their successors have big shoes to fill (quite literally in the case of Ivan Strang).