JUNE 2013
Carrie Underwood blew away a packed house in Prince George B1
Big North FREE PRESS
Bond back, Morris new face in Victoria TERESA MALLAM arts@pgfreepress.com
Four more years. Four more years. That is how 200 or more Liberal supporters at Coast Inn of the North on the evening of May 14 greeted Prince George-Valemont MLA elect Shirley Bond as she walked through the doors. Moments after they heard analysts’ prediction of a Liberal sweep, Bond and Mike Morris, MLA elect for Prince GeorgeMackenzie, took their places on the podium to express their gratitude. Bond had tears in her eyes as she thanked family and supporters. Noting it would be her fourth term in office, she said some people might think, “you had to be out of your mind” to run a fourth time. She explained why she did, first crediting her family. “I’ll tell you why I put my name on the ballot for the fourth time... I have an unbelievable family, a husband who has been with me every step of the way,” she said, turning to face Bill Bond. “I have a son and daughter, son-in-law – and two amazing grandsons who drive me to do a better job all the time.” Smiling broadly, she asked: “You know what tonight is about? Tonight is about never, ever giving up. If we had believed in those [pre-election] polls instead of believing in ourselves where would we be tonight?” Bond credited people on the phones (the volunteers) with their hard work during the election campaign and scoffed at the naysayers, noting one local reporter predicted to national
media that she had a three in 10 chance of being elected. She never doubted her team or their ability, she said. “I have a superb campaign team.” Still, she said, she was surprised as anyone when the results came in showing that Liberals were enjoying a widespread win in provincial ridings. “When I saw BCTV predict a B.C. Liberal government, I could barely believe it myself,” she said. Given their new mandate, Bond said she and Morris look forward to doing their jobs as elected representatives. “Mike and I love where we live,” she said. Bond reminded people that both will work hard to represent all their constituents, not just the ones who voted for them. “You serve your entire constituency,” she said. Looking out at the happy faces in the crowd, she paused and smiled. “I want to just humbly say thank you.” Bond acknowledged former Prince George-Mackenzie MLA Pat Bell and gave a shout out to the man standing head and shoulders above others in the crowd. “I’m going to miss my friend Pat Bell.” she said, amid loud applause for the outgoing MLA who had often shared the podium and “short and tall” jokes with her for special community events. She also referred to her long held political position representing Prince George and on her personal popularity. “My heart is full of gratitude,” she said. “Not many people get to serve in this province for four
terms.” For his part, Morris said he’s aware he has big shoes to fill (a reference to Bell) and he looks forward to being Bond’s political partner in the Legislature. Noting people asked him why he was jumping aboard a “sinking ship”, Morris said, “This ship isn’t sinking.” Morris said he intends to work “shoulder to shoulder” with Shirley to drive the engine for the future. “I want to make sure this province is in good hands ... so I’m going to do my best for the next four years to make sure that happens.”
REACTION There were many well known political pundits and local luminaries in the crowd Tuesday night. Former Social Credit cabinet minister Bruce Strachan stayed close to the TV monitor. He checked his watch. He looked at the numbers on the screen: Liberals 40, NDP 22. He stood up and clapped his hands together. “The trend is your friend,” he noted. “I said that at 8:33 p.m.” From then on the mood in the room that was already hopeful was even more buoyant and upbeat. People began spilling through the doors. They laughed, they exchanged hugs and handshakes. Liberal supporters knew this was going to be their night. “Looks like we’re going to have a Liberal government – we need it. There is so much turmoil,” said supporter Felicia Constantinescu. And when the numbers hit 50 for the Liberals, shortly after Te re s a M A LLA M / Fre e Pre s s
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Shirley Bond celebrates the news May 14 that she won her fourth consecutive term as MLA in Prince George.
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