The Times Advocate, 2007-10-17, Page 3Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Times–Advocate
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Morley expected closer race Mitchell victorious
By Andrew Smith
SPECIAL TO THE TIMES -ADVOCATE
WINGHAM — Watching the
results trickle in on the night of the
provincial election, Huron -Bruce PC
candidate Rob Morley said he was a
little off the mark on his prediction
for a close race.
"I thought it was closer than it
ended up to be," Morley said.
In fact, before the campaign even
started, Morley was confident the
Conservatives had a shot at taking
the whole province. However, as
elections go, anything can happen,
and Morley said it all boiled down to
party leader John Tory.
"The candidate is only a part of
the process, the leader has a lot to
do with the end result," Morley said.
There was no denying that Tory's
platform on funding religious
schools caused some friction among
voters and the Conservative party.
Although Morley recognized the
issue as a `stumbling block' when it
was announced, he had no idea it
would grow to the controversy that
it was.
"I thought when the free vote was
called that people would warm up
to it, but that wasn't the case,"
Morley said.
Overall, Morley was happy with
the campaign he ran, working hard
and not letting a day go by where
he sat idle. According to Morley, his
only regret was not reaching as
many voters in Huron -Bruce as pos-
sible.
"Did I get to all the people I want-
ed to? No, it's just too big a riding,"
Morley said.
Morley made sure to thank all
those involved in volunteering and
Thanks for the support —
Huron -Bruce Progressive
Conservative candidate Rob
Morley, who was defeated by
Liberal Carol Mitchell in last
week's provincial election, presents
his wife Ann with flowers in thanks
of her support. (photo/Andrew
Smith)
working with the campaign, and
congratulated Liberal MPP Carol
Mitchell on her re-election victory.
"She's the people's choice and I
respect that, I know she'll work
hard," Morley said.
With the election finally wrapped
up, Morley says he's looking for-
ward to getting back to normal life
with his family.
"We'll go back and see what hap-
pens, life will be less complicated,
that's for sure," Morley said.
Continued from front page
(FHT), which Mitchell says will continue to improve.
"There is a long list of needs," says Mitchell, explaining
some areas are further along with their FHT than others.
Other priorities for Mitchell are education, explaining
students' test scores are going up, and the economy,
which Mitchell says is getting stronger.
"We want an enlargement (of the economy)," says
Mitchell.
Looking at agriculture, Mitchell says, the agriculture
budget will be looked at, adding she would like to see
more work done with anaerobic digestors and bio -diesel,
but is pleased with how alternative energy has moved
forward so far.
Mitchell says she is excited about the coming term,
saying there are many changes from 2003.
"It's not the same type of action," says Mitchell.
And when asked whether she would consider running
for a cabinet position, she says, "It's up to the boss. I'd
have to get my running shoes polished up."
Van Bommel wins again
STRATHROY — In last week's
provincial election, Liberal incum-
bent MPP Maria Van Bommel won
Lambton-Kent-Middlesex collecting
18,191 votes.
Van Bommel took 43.2 per cent of
the vote, ahead of second place fin-
isher Monte McNaughton who
received 15, 281 votes and 36.3 per
cent of the ballots.
In third place was NDP candidate
Joyce Jolliffe with 4,522 votes and
10.8 per cent while Green Party can-
didate James Armstrong received
3,326 votes and 7.9 per cent.
Family Coalition candidate Bill McMaster received
547 votes and Brad Harness for the Reform Party gath-
ered 208 votes.
A total of 42,075 votes were cast out of a possible
75,997 in the riding for 55.4 per cent voter participa-
tion.
Van Bommel was not available on Monday to speak to
the Times -Advocate.
Maria Van
Bommel
Four more years — Liberal
candidate and Huron -Bruce MPP
Carol Mitchell has reclaimed her
seat in the riding.Above she hugs
her mother Bev Chowen after
hearing the news. (photo/Nina Van
Lieshout)
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