THURSDAY MAY 16, 2013
Black Press C O M M U N I T Y
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A THREE-HOUR TOUR STAR
ARSENIC AND OLD LACE COMES TO QB
Mary Ann from Gilligan’s Island — Dawn Wells visits Qualicum
A fantastic cast and funny script promised for Echo Players’ latest production
B3
A15
STILWELL WINS BY 3,500 VOTES
Liberals defy polls Paralympian says issues around economy ruled JOHN HARDING
editor@pqbnews.com
MLA-elect Michelle Stilwell said she knows what the people of Parksville Qualicum Beach were telling her when they overwhelmingly chose her Tuesday night to be their representative in Victoria. Stilwell, an international Paralympics track star, won the constituency with 13,405 votes, more than 3,500 votes ahead of her closest competitor, former Qualicum Beach town councillor Barry Avis of the NDP. B.C. Conservative candidate David Coupland was third with 3,451 votes. After her victory speech at 10 p.m. Tuesday in front of 100 happy Liberals at her Parksville campaign headquarters, Stilwell was asked what message she thought voters gave her when they sent her to Victoria with such a decisive victory. “I believe it’s a clear message that the economy is what’s important,” Stilwell said between hugs with supporters. “We need a solid economy in order to provide the services and programs that we all depend on — that’s how the revenue is generated.” Stilwell was asked if she could compare the campaign to the rigours of elite athletics. “You put a plan into place and you try to execute the plan the best you can, like in any Olympic race, and that’s exactly what I did in this campaign.” Provincially, the B.C. Liberals won a majority government, a shock to many who read recent polls which had the NDP up by as many as nine percentage points. Stilwell said her first priority as MLA is to “get to know all those amazing people who were elected today and start working with open communication and a clear vision for this province.”
JOHN HARDING PHOTO
MLA-elect Michelle Stilwell celebrated her victory Tuesday night at her campaign headquarters in Parksville with 100 happy B.C. Liberal supporters, including her husband Mark and son Kai. More election coverage, pages 4, 6, 7 and 9.
ALBERNI-PACIFIC RIM
Fraser cruises to lopsided victory WAWMEESH G. HAMILTON Alberni Valley News
Scott Fraser, the incumbent NDP MLA for Alberni-Pacific Rim, has won the battle for his seat. But his party has lost the war in the provincial election with the election of a Liberal majority government on Tuesday. Fraser took the riding with 9,829 votes. Liberal candidate Darren DeLuca had 5,981, and BC Conservative candidate Enid Mary Sangster-Kelly earned 1,377 votes.
Officials reported an overall B.C. voter turnout at 48 per cent. “I’m grateful for . . . a resounding endorsement from the voters of Alberni-Pacific Rim,” Fraser said. “Darren put up a good fight and I always expect a fight.” Fraser circulated about the room at the Steelworkers Hall on Montrose Street, which was filled with a who’swho from Port Alberni labour: Steelworkers, ADTU, district labour council and others. See RAVEN BEARS WATCHING, page A7
See ‘WE HAVE A RISING STAR’, page A4
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