BARRHEAD- MORINVILLE- WESTLOCK
Held by: Progressive Conservatives
Incumbent: Ken Kowalski (Not seeking re-election)
Population: 39,048 Eligible voters in 2008: 24,792 Voter turnout 2008: 47.9% 2008 election results: Carl Haugen SC 309; Ken Kowalski PC 8,312; Rodney M. Olstad NDP 927; Leslie I. Penny LIB 1,804
THE CANDIDATES
Link Byfield, Wildrose Occupation: Freelance writer Reason for running: “After four decades of (Progressive Conservative) government, Albertans deserve a realistic, more democratic alternative.”
Top three priorities: Fix medicare using successful strategies from comparable European countries; Repeal land bills and legislate secure property rights; Make government more accountable to MLAS in the legislature and to voters.
Lisa Grant, Evergreen
Occupation: “Full-time mum” and part-time school bus driver Reason for running: “I can’t in good conscience vote for a candidate whose platform I mostly disagree with, and I can’t in good conscience not vote, so when I was left with that choice, I decided that it was up to me to give the people an alternate option.”
Top three priorities: Education, including finalizing Morinville secular schooling issue; Local agriculture and “growing and marketing our food locally” instead of “letting big business control our food source;” Sort out electoral system and introduce a government that is fairly representative of all Albertans. Trudy Grebenstein, NDP Age: 61 Occupation: Accountant
Reason for running: “The NDP is the only party that has been standing up for families in spite of the government’s lack of action. Government has been ignoring the middle class and its workers. It’s time to stand up for future generations who may not have the same opportunities their parents and grandparents enjoyed.
Top three priorities: Delivering a ordable electricity; Oilsands prosperity; Education for success. Website: Albertandp.ca/-trudygrebenstein
Maureen Kubinec, Progressive Conservative Occupation: Farmer and county councillor Top three priorities: Enhance health care facilities to enable families quicker access to multidisciplinary medical professionals; Provide seniors with the facilities and services that enable them to age in place with dignity; “We continue to be good stewards to of our natural resources and provide the climate for Albertans to prosper.” Website: kubinec.votepc.ca
Leslie Penny, Liberal Age: 62 Occupation: Nursing administration
Reason for running: “A society is judged on how it treats the most vulnerable members of its population. I want to be part of a government that uses the incredible resources that this province has to ensure all citizens realize the benefits of these resources. The principle values that should guide the decisions that are made on the allocation of Alberta’s resources are: Is this a just decision and is it a fair decision.”
Top three priorities: Ensure all children in Alberta have access to quality education, from preschool to post-secondary, to equip them for success; Encourage healthcare professionals to practise to their full scope through access to continuing education and appropriate remuneration; Ensure rural municipalities have su - cient resources to provide services for their citizens, including transportation.