Tuesday, March 29, 2011 Country singer and songwriter Rick Tippe hosts a new artists showcase concert Saturday, featuring two nephews and his legendary musical father Elmer.
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ary Annivers 1985-2010
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Provincial politics
‘Done with Dalton’ recall done
After holding a rally on Saturday afternoon, the recall campaign against Marc Dalton has itself been recalled. by Amy Judd ajudd@mrtimes.com
Organizers of the effort to recall local MLA Marc Dalton said the focus has redirected to the HST mailin vote, after an announcement was made on Saturday regarding a June 24 referendum. “We directed our focus to the referendum,” said recall campaign organizer Corisa Bell, after the summer mail-in vote was deemed to be a guarantee. “One of the main goals from the beginning was to get rid of the HST,” she added. ”And everyone is very excited to move on to this part of it.” Bell stressed that this did not mean Dalton is going to be let off the hook. “The majority of people in Maple Ridge and Mission didn’t even know who Marc Dalton was at the beginning of this,” she said. “We’ve been making him do his work.” Bell stated that the recall campaign was going “very well” when they decided to stop on Sunday. And although she hasn’t collected all the material yet, she said she thinks “we’ve got his {Dalton’s] attention
next election, and this is not the time for that.” Bell hopes Dalton will now attend a public debate about the HST that’s set for April 7 at city hall. Dalton told the TIMES, [Call for debate, March 11], that he would not attend a public debate about the HST if it involved discussing the recall issue, as well. “Now that the recall has been dropped, he should be in attendance,” said Bell. However, Dalton said the timeline is not right for him to attend, but he stressed there will be an opportunity for public debate at a later date. He thinks the HST issue needs to be depoliticized, and Brian Russell/TIMES when the opportunity Volunteers with the ‘Done with Dalton’ campaign shift their focus following a rally Saturday that unexpectedly marked for the mail-in vote an end of the campaign. The recall efforts abruptly ended Sunday, following an announcement there will be a mail-in comes around, he HST vote in June. Recall organizer Corisa Bell (left) was among ralliers at Maple Ridge city hall. hopes the community will judge it on its own that he needs to work harder.” porters. It has been a campaign on my merit. For the most part, she said the volunside also,” he added, noting that he had “We need to look at all sides and issues teers are happy to shift their focus to the thousands of filers ready to go to print so we can make the best decision for our mail-in vote, even though some would on Monday that he was able to hold back province,” Dalton said. still like to continue the recall. just in time. “I really am hoping this will be a public “I’m pretty happy about it,” local MLA “I think people see that the recall vote, and people will look at it on its own Marc Dalton told the TIMES Monday. wasn’t being used properly,” he added. merit,” he stressed, adding that whatever “I see this as a win for me and my sup“People were using it to fight for the decision the people make he will support.
Federal politics
Voters return to poll, fourth time in seven years by Roxanne Hooper rhooper@mrtimes.com
Local election signs were being pounded into the ground in prime spots around Maple Ridge and Pitt Meadows on Sunday, barely 24 hours after Parliament was dissolved and the fourth federal election in seven years was announced. While Elections Canada doesn’t list any current candidates registered in the Pitt MeadowsMaple Ridge-Mission riding, there are already four who have made public acclamations. The current list including current Conservative
MP Randy Kamp, Maple Ridge Councillor NDP hopeful Craig Speirs, Liberal candidate Mandeep Bhuller, and Green Party hopeful Peter Tam. Other parties have until April 11 to announce a candidate. In the meantime, an informal candidate meet and greet is being organized at the Maple Ridge Library on Tuesday, April 19, 2:30 to 4 p.m. Candidates will be in the lobby glad-handing and handing out information. The chamber of commerce is also planning an all-candidates meeting for April 14 or 15.
• Stay tuned for election coverage at www.mrtimes.com
Mandeep Bhuller
Randy Kamp
Craig Speirs
Peter Tam
Liberal candidate
Conservative candidate
NDP candidate
Green Party candidate
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