Observer SALMON ARM
Wednesday September 5, 2012 www.saobserver.net $1.25 HST INCLUDED PM40008236
JAMES MURRAY/OBSERVER
Mission aborted
As a courtesy, crew of the Royal Canadian Marine Search and Rescue boat attempt to assist boaters who managed to get their speedboat stuck in shallow waters off Pierre’s Point late Monday afternoon. No one was in need of rescue so, once it was determined that the churned up silt was posing a risk to the engine of the rescue vessel, the crew discontinued their efforts to pull out the stuck speedboat. The boat’s owners were eventually able to free their vessel through private means.
Abbott won’t seek re-election By Richard Rolke BLACK PRESS
George Abbott flatly denies he’s abandoning a government in trouble, The Shuswap MLA’s decision not to run in the May 2013 election comes as the Liberals lag behind the NDP opposition in the polls. “It didn’t play a role at all,” said Abbott, who was first elected in 1996. “The standing in the polls was irrelevant to my personal future.” And Abbott insists the government can remain in power next year. “Given the formidable campaigner she is, Premier Clark has a tremendous opportunity to turn this around,” he said.
Abbott reached a conclupublic office, I was 26 years sion about his future during old. That’s a long time ago,” he August. said, adding that his departure “The time is right to focus allows for renewal in the conon other interests in my life,” stituency and the party. said Abbott, adding that his Premier Christy Clark will first project with be working shuffle her cabinet this week with a British professor on to focus on individuals seeking educational issues. re-election and Abbott won’t The former Okanagan Colbe education minister. George lege instructor may also do “I loved education. I arrived Abbott some guest teaching and rewhen there was a lot of policy SHUSWAP MLA search. work needing to be done, and Abbott, who was in civic I believe I brought skills to the politics before becoming table that allowed a lot of that MLA, says retirement was an easy deci- work to be done,” he said. sion. Abbott has also served in the aboriginal “The last time I woke up not being in relations, health, community services and
This week SilverBack’s coach Troy Mick has finalized his roster for the upcoming season. See A14. The 115th Salmon Arm Fall Fair takes place this weekend at the fairgrounds. See details on A18.
sustainable resource management portfolios. “His keen intellect and sharp wit around the cabinet table and in caucus will be greatly missed,” said Clark. Abbott placed third in last year’s campaign to replace Gordon Campbell as Liberal leader. Steve Gunner, the NDP’s Shuswap candidate, says Abbott deserves credit for representing constituents and his handling of educational matters. “He has had many years of unblemished public service and he has the respect of many people he has worked with,” said Gunner, who believes Abbott’s departure See MLA’s on page A2
Index Opinion ....................... A6 View Point .................. A7 Life & Times ............... A8 Sports .............. A14-A17 Arts & Events ... A18-A20 Time Out................... A21 Vol. 105, No. 36, 44 pages