Election sooner or later?

By Richard Rolke - Vernon Morning Star  Published: May 25, 2011 1:00 AM

Christy Clark has been teasing us with the possibility of a provincial election ever since becoming premier.  Not once has she dismissed rumours that British Columbians will head off to the polls some time this year although legislation doesn’t require the writ to be dropped until May 14, 2013. And while some may be chomping at the bit to start campaigning, it’s unlikely Eric Foster is one of them.  Consider that the year started with attempts to launch a recall effort against the Vernon-Monashee Liberal MLA over the government’s bungling of the harmonized sales tax. Recall has yet to materialize but there are still people questioning Foster’s endorsement of the tax when more people signed a petition against it than voted for him.  Next was the divisive and often painful debate over a proposed correctional facility in Lumby.  Foster initiated some of the initial talks on a jail when he was mayor and as MLA, he certainly facilitated discussions between current council and the Ministry of Solicitor General.  Much has been made of Foster apparently saying a 70 per cent yes vote would be the benchmark the government needs before considering Lumby as the site of a prison. In an interview with Sun FM, Foster clarified the situation. “Someone asked me one day what would you like to see and I said I’d love to see it go 70 per cent one way or the other and that makes it easy. But this is just a simple referendum, 50 per cent plus one, and the Village of Lumby voted 56 per cent,” he said.  The bottom line is many residents believe their concerns have either not been addressed or they have been completely dismissed. As a member of the Liberal caucus, Foster is going to be the whipping boy for any misstep Victoria has taken or is perceived to have taken. It’s likely Foster has been permanently removed from some Christmas card lists in Lumby.

But the most intense public scrutiny has come over Vernon Jubilee Hospital and chronic overcrowding. Patients are being stacked up in hallways like cord wood and surgeries are being cancelled. Code purple has become the standard.  Foster has had numerous meetings with physicians and he has lobbied the Ministry of Health behind the scenes for more acute care beds. But still new funding hasn’t surfaced and that has led to numerous letters to the editor demanding that Foster become more outspoken. More and more people are wearing purple ribbons to show solidarity with the doctors and nurses.  The pressure on Foster is going to remain intense until construction begins on the two shelled-in floors at VJH. And if an election comes first, the health care crisis could play a significant factor at the ballot box.  Consider that during the 2009 provincial election, there were only 1,317 ballots separating Foster from the NDP in second place — not a slam-dunk victory.  If the NDP were to present a credible local candidate who takes advantage of public anxiety over the HST, the prison, the hospital and other contentious issues, Foster could be on shaky ground.  But, of course, the public can have a short memory and politicians can easily be forgiven.  If an election call comes later than sooner, that could work to Foster’s advantage.  ---Richard Rolke is the senior reporter for The Morning Star.

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Cristy and the boys Prepare for the HST Referendum Game


 Cubs - A century of Futility:
A man was at Wrigley Field watching a Cubs game, when he called a security officer over and said, “Those people are bothering me.” The security officer looked around him at all the well-behaved spectators and said “Who, sir?” Wearily, the man pointed out to the Cubs players on the field and said, “Them.” Q: What does C.U.B.S. stand for? A: Completely Useless By September Q; What did Jesus say to the Chicago Cubs last time he was on Earth? A: Don't do anything ‘til I get back. Q: What does a gay bear and October have in common? A: No Cubs. Q: What do you call a Chicago Cubs player with a World Series ring? A: A thief. So bear with us, we the long-suffering Cub faithful. If it doesn’t happen this year, we’ll find an excuse. Apparently every team is allowed to have a bad century every once in a while.