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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2007-04-11, Page 8iW} Page 8 April 11, 2007 • The Huron Expositor News Harper wants to paint Huron -Bruce bright blue Prime Minister descends on Goderich in first visit since Brian Gerard Creees anneMMEMS Canada's top politician, Stephen Harper, descended upon Goderich April 3, in what was the first visit from a serving prime minister since Progressive Conservative Brian Mulroney visited the town in 1988. The Conservative leader addressed an electrified crowd of almost 800 supporters at Knights of Columbus Hall in Goderich - the line-up for the event stretching from inside the building to the back of the parking lot. Earlier in the day, Harper was in Kitchener, announcing a bill of rights for Canadian veterans. The honour of introducing the Prime Minister fell on newly -mint- ed Conservative candidate Ben Lobb, and as music blared over the PA system, Stephen Harper walked down an arranged line of hand- shakes, taking centre stage amid the room full of excited Prime Minister Stephen Harper Conservative supporters. Harper began by saying now is the time to paint Huron-Burce "bright Conservative blue" before he launched into a list of his party's accomplishments, including the Federal Accountability Act and Senate reform. "The current term is... 45 years," Harper joked, saying his party is lowering this to eight. The Prime Minister also took note of the $22 billion paid towards the national debt since taking Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Corp ep tion a the Pa sh of The Hay Spot Jarvis St. Seaforth 519-527-1522 Rector The Rev'd Sue Maipus M Div Sunday, April 15 WORSHIP AT 9:30 AM KID -ZONE children's program at 9:30am Everyone Welcome Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Pastor Mark Kennedy EVERYONE WELCOME NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould Sunday April 15th Worship at 11:OOam Sermon: "Living Your Dash" All Welcome Sunday School & Nursery During Worship St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Fr. Chris Gillespie Egmondville United Church Pastor Steve Hildebrand Sunday, April 15 WORSHIP 11 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10AM First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday April 15 11:15 am service Sunday School & Nursery Provided. office, as well as increasing support for the troops in Afghanistan. "Not bad for one year," he said. Harper elicited laughs from the crowd when he talked about getting rid of the long -gun registry, saying the Liberals are concerned with duck hunters while his party is get- ting tougher on violent offenders. "Give us a majority and we can do it without them," he said. He , painted federal Liberal leader Stephane Dion as a man desperate to get his party back into power, saying they are trying to force an election by voting against the Conservative's budget. He also took shots at the NDP, adding "Let the socialists raise taxes." Pot-shots aside, the main focus of the event was boosting Conservative support in a riding that saw its closest ele.gtion since Liberal MP Paul Steckle took power in 1993. Lobb, a first-time candidate, lost the election by less than one thou- sand votes. With the announcement of Steckle's retirement last month, that seat will be hotly constested in the next federal election. Mulroney in 1988 "The crowd was reflective of the momentum we're gaining in Southwestern Ontario and especial- ly here in Huron -Bruce," said Lobb. "It was great. No doubt about it." Prior to Harper's speech, Lobb introduced himself as a Huron County native who knows and understands the values of the con- stituents he represents. He also said he was a candidate who clearly knows which party he is working for - a reference to Paul Steckle's public differences of opin- ion between himself and his party which have landed him in hot water over the years. The young Conservative -also took time to talk up his boss, saying Harper was a first -generation par- liamentarian who learned about politics by watching and getting involved, "not by listening to his father's dinner guests." Opening up the night was Goderich Mayor and Huron County Warden Deb Shewfelt, who praised Harper for his committment to municipalities for $1.5 .billion in infrastucture funding. "That's with a `B'," quipped Shewfelt. "That's a lot of roads and bridges." Incredible Savings on One -of -a -kind Dresses Sizes 0-24: APRIL 11 - 14 Wethiesday to Friday 10am-5:30 pm Saturday 9:30arn-3pm Huge Selection of PROM & GRADUATION DRESSES in all the latest styles & colours $ �A00 .Specially priced from See our New Spring Arrivals for MOTIIERS' OUTFITS selected items up to 50% Off selection of In -stock FLOWERGIRI,S' Selection of In WEDDING DRESSES -stork GOWNS 507,°ff 70% u►lo off 1'4s..DeitEI 1 Fhterinst, l'e ' BRIDAL & FORMAL WEAR fY other • store .cpe 44. 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