LE • REC YC
LE • REC YC
LE • REC YC
See Thursday’s Townsman/Bulletin: • For full election commentary and analysis, news follow-up and vote breakdown
WednesDAY MAY 15, 2013
Kletzel calls it quits > Kootenay Ice assistant coach leaves team for personal reasons | Page 7
LE • REC YC
The Bulletin
Rec 9 & Dine
All Day Wednesdays. Golf the Rec 9 and receive a $10 food voucher for the Bootleg Grill
foR only
$25!!
www.BootlegGapGolf.com
1
Proudly serving kimberley and area since 1932 | Vol. 80, Issue 94 | www.dailybulletin.ca
$ 10 INCLUDES G.s.t.
Bennett makes it four in a row B.C. Liberals maintain majority government in 40th general election A r n e Pe t ryshen a n d s a lly macd on al d Townsman Staff
Bill Bennett took the Kootenay East riding for the fourth election in a row, capturing 63 per cent of the Kootenay East vote, compared to 36 per cent for the NDP’s candidate Norma Blissett. Bennett has held the riding since 2001 when the B.C. Liberals took power. This time, his party also formed another majority government, despite broad polling throughout the election campaign which suggested the NDP would form a majority. At his campaign’s celebration at the Heritage Inn in Cranbrook, Bennett said he was happy to hear that his party was poised to take a majority lead in the province. “I never believed that we had no chance,” Bennett said. “I always be-
lieved we had a good chance at winning.” About his own victory in the riding Bennett echoed the sentiment. “I’m really, really grateful that I won,” Bennett said. “I have a lot of support in Kootenay East. I know people personally. It’s not like a big city riding where you don’t know where you don’t know your constituents.” He said that knowing people personally puts pressure on him to perform his duties in the legislature. Bennett said that seeing a new Intensive Care Unit at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital is the number one task he has on the horizon now that he has been re-elected, followed by funding for the homeless shelter in Cranbrook. This will add to the bal-
See BENNETT , Page 3 BLISSETT , Page 3 PROVINCIAL WRAP-UP , Page 2
Macdonald keeps seat in Opposition C AROLYN GR ANT Bulletin Staff
Arne Petryshen photo
Bill Bennett, the newly re-elected MLA for Kootenay East, accepts congratulations from his supporters at the B.C. Liberals gathering held at the Heritage Inn in Cranbrook, Tuesday evening, May 14.
REMINDER: escape LIFE IS is always MEASURED anMOMENTS option IN
Bittersweet is the only way to describe the feelings of NDP MLA Norm Macdonald after being declared re-elected in Columbia River-Revelstoke last night. Macdonald himself won a third consecutive term as MLA for the riding, which stretches from Kimberley to Revelstoke, but instead of surfing a wave of NDP victories across the province, he watched in shock as the B.C. Liberals surged to retain power – a result predicted by no one. Macdonald declared himself “pro-
foundly disappointed” at the results of the evening, though he was grateful for his support in Columbia River-Revelstoke. Macdonald hovered around 46 per cent through the evening, with B.C. Liberal challenger Doug Clovechok mounting a spirited run with about 37 per cent of the vote. The Conservatives (Earl Olsen) and Green Party (Laurel Ralston) were almost a non-factor, both hovering below 10 per cent, effectively making the issue of vote splitting moot, at least in this riding.
See MACDONALD , Page 3
Give ladies niGht new meaninG When you book a spa package at the Metterra Hotel, receive a $100 voucher towards your spa service. Saving 25% on your getaway means more money for shopping.
from
$
240
Price varies by date and availability, deal ends Dec 31, valid Thursday through Sunday
travelalberta.com