MARCH 2013
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Big North FREE PRESS
Medical condition forces Bell out DELYNDA PILON
newsroom@pgfreepress.com
A rare medical condition has caused Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell to withdraw as the Liberal candidate for the riding in this May’s provincial election. Bell made the announcement Feb. 17 afternoon at the opening of the Liberal campaign offices in Prince George. Bell will continue his work as MLA until the election and promised in the meantime he will work with Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond on her campaign. In his prepared statement Bell explained he underwent tests mid-December for pneumonia. His doctor looked further and found what he described as a relatively rare type of aneurysm, one not often detected. “At this point I am seeing a cardiac specialist and we are monitoring the size of the aneurysm. If it grows I will require surgical intervention. If not, I may require just an ongoing monitoring program.” This led him to reconsider his decision to run as MLA for another term, stating it is a critical time for the province and so just as critical each team member is able to focus his or her complete attention on the work to be done. Holding her emotions in check with some difficulty, Bond had nothing but praise for Bell. “He has been a tireless worker, not just on behalf of the people who voted for him, but on behalf of the people of British Columbia,” she said. A select few knew what Bell planned to announce during the opening of the pair’s campaign office, mostly family. Bell said the decision not to run was finalized about a month ago, however he didn’t want to make it public until he’d personally shared the news with all his family members. “It has been a long journey over the last few months,” Bond said. “I just want to assure you of one thing, that Pat is going to stand beside us. We have always run our campaigns together.” Family and health, Bond agreed, are at
De Ly nd a PILON/ Fre e Pre s s
Prince George Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell, with his wife Brenda (left), Prince George-Valemount MLA Shirley Bond, and Nechako Lakes MLA John Rustad at the announcement that health reasons are forcing Bell to retire. the top of the agenda. Bond spoke briefly about a recent health scare her family went through when her husband, Bill, underwent open heart surgery Dec. 18. She said if her husband wasn’t doing so well it may have meant a different decision for her regarding running again as well. Though there has been speculation regarding who will run for the Liberal nomination, Bell said more of the process will be announced within a few days, and he expects there to be several individuals stepping forward to run. Whoever wins the nomination and runs in the next election will be a strong part of the Liberal team, both Bell and Bond agree. Bond said the province stands on the verge of great things. “I can tell you this. There is nothing more important than having experienced, strong, aggressive voices for British Columbia,”
she said. She added the candidate will have big shoes to fill and pointed out all the things Bell helped accomplish as MLA. “He’s made a difference here,” she said of Bell. “You only have to look around the North to see the difference he made.” In his statement and comments following it Bell made it clear he intends to continue to make a difference, even if it is not as MLA. And he intends to ensure whoever takes his place continues to fight for northern needs. “I will personally be kicking their butt all the way to Victoria,” he said with typical humour. Bobby Deepak, the NDP candidate for the same riding as Bell, said he was surprised by the announcement. “Like all of us in Prince George.-Mackenzie and in the north, I was surprised and sorry to hear of Pat Bell’s decision to not
seek re-election because of health concerns. I want to wish him a speedy resolution of those concerns and I know everyone will offer that support.” He added his thanks to Bell for all the years of service. “Though we stand on opposite sides of political issues, I want to thank Mr. Bell for his many years of public service. He has worked hard for Prince George-Mackenzie and today we are all saying thank you. We appreciate your effort for our community.” He added he believes whoever takes Bell’s position will be faced with the same issues. “Whoever takes Bell’s place will have to deal with all the B.C. Liberal’s baggage that’s in place over last the three terms.” That person, as it turned out, was retired RCMP officer Mike Morris, the only person to put his name forward by the Feb. 28 deadline.
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