July’s unity vote should be no confidence on leader Brian Jean

It’s praiseworthy to unite like-minded conservatives under one political entity. This July both the PC and Wildrose parties will vote to merge into one entity called the United Conservative Party. The proposal, while laudable on its surface, raises some serious questions about the motives and integrity of the architects of the merger.

Among the fundamental principles of conservatism is the basic tenet of limited government. Thus the Wildrose party’s popularity soared on a wave of opposition to the landowner Bills 19, 36, and 50. Not surprising, the PC party’s popularity correspondingly dropped. What happened?

Simply put, those in power stopped listening to Albertans, and concluded that a centralized authoritarian government was preferable to a messy democratic process that allowed for local participation. To exacerbate matters the bureaucracy had evolved into a netherworld of nepotistic appointments.

Since 2012 the Wildrose has embraced nepotism. Hypocrisy is rampant! Brian Jean formed a

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That the new fire station on Trans-Canada Way was closer to the recent three-home fire. The short response time prevented many more homes from being engulfed in flames. Good work City of Medicine Hat!

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I use a different route now, instead of using First Street S.E. and going up Division Avenue S. Now I don’t have to sit for five minutes waiting at stop signs.

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To see MLA Drew Barnes saying how beer prices are rising again. Does it stop people at events from drinking it? Not on your life so tell us how PC rising it should be any different than current parties?

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That Alberta is having the debate of not changing clocks. Stop and think of money wasted to do this. How it will affect province to province? MST does not stop at borders. Leave it alone. How difficult is it to change a clock?

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new political entity to replace the Wildrose without the consent of the membership. Dissent (free speech) is now grounds for membership revocation. While former floor-crossers are denied party membership, the main architect of the crossing is Jean’s paid confidant. Now members are asked to support an agreement that gives absolute authority to Jean’s appointees to approve candidate nominations.

The vote in July should be a vote of no confidence on Jean’s leadership, and Vito Marciano’s future with the party. Surrendering grassroots rights for an authoritarian power grab to become what led to the PC party’s demise is a bad start. Jean and his obsequious MLAs need to be turfed! The PC membership voted on Kenney’s agenda. Jean hid his agenda from the Wildrose membership for two years, thus denying them an opportunity to vote. Like his predecessor, Jean is sabotaging the party’s sovereignty. Why rush? A no vote resets the clock.

Joe Anglin Rimbey, Alta.

It was good to see the teepees set up in Kin Park on Allowance Ave to remind us of Canada’s first people in recognition of National Aboriginal Day.

Why does it take so long for the city to produce any financial information? They certainly aren’t short-staffed.

With the incongruences of Medicine Hat taxes. Housing prices are in the tank but property taxes up. Population down but school taxes up.

We received fast, top flight service from Mark at a computer store on South Railway Street.

Would like to see signs at the river: ‘Absolutely no swimming for people and dogs. River current is too strong.’

When people talk about personal matters for everyone to hear, especially about hunting someone down for wrongdoing. Let the police handle it. You can’t take the law into your own hands.

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If council would fix the huge hole under the Thirteenth Avenue underpass.