Wayne Marston stays confident
Rookie MP may face Di Ianni, who is seeking Liberal nomination
Kevin Werner, Stoney Creek
(Mar 2, 2007)
Hamilton East-Stoney Creek has long been represented by "political stars," who ignored the interests of residents, says incumbent federal NDP MP Wayne Marston.
Mr. Marston, who was unopposed at his riding's nomination meeting last week, said politicians such as Liberals Sheila Copps and John Munro would choose the government's interests over what the people want.
"It's time for the member to represent the people," said Mr. Marston.
The labour leader defended his "grassroots" connection to his constituents as the spectre of former Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni seeks to unseat the rookie federal politician.
Mr. Di Ianni is seeking the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek federal Liberal nomination, confirmed Myra Leffler, president of the riding association.
He will have some competition with a member of the riding executive, Ivan Luksic, contesting the nomination, as well.
Ms. Leffler is also hopeful a female candidate comes forward to seek the nomination. The Liberal Party stated last month it hopes to have women represent one-third of its ridings.
"I would like to see a couple of males and a couple of females contest the nomination," she said.
The riding this week received news the Liberal Party of Canada has lifted the nomination freeze and is encouraging associations to nominate candidates as quickly as possible in time for a possible spring election.
No date for a Hamilton East-Stoney Creek nomination is scheduled, said Ms. Leffler, but she would like to see the event happen "sooner rather than later."
Mr. Di Ianni's entry into federal politics has been made easier after former Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Liberal MP and cabinet minister Tony Valeri informed the association by letter last month he would not seek the nomination.
Ms. Leffler said the association will honour Mr. Valeri on March 8 at Chandelier Place starting at 7 p.m.
Mr. Marston, who held off Mr. Valeri in the January 2006 election by just under 400 votes remained confident he would emerge victorious against a popular Mr. Di Ianni.
Asked by reporters if he would give Mr. Di Ianni a run, he retorted, "He will give me a good run."
Mr. Marston pointed out Mr. Di Ianni left the mayor's chair under a cloud when he was upset by Fred Eisenberger in last fall's municipal election. Mr. Di Ianni was charged with violating the Municipal Elections Act for campaign finance problems.
"People will evaluate our history and there is no doubt Larry Di Ianni, when he was mayor was under a lot of scrutiny, a lot of pressure, and he was charged.
"Each of us comes with our own history," he added.
NDP leader Jack Layton, who was the keynote speaker at Mr. Marston's nomination meeting, praised Mr. Marston for his concern for his constituents, his battles to protect global human rights and his connection to the community.
He didn't believe residents want to return to the bad old days of scandal and corruption under the Jean Chretien regime.
"I don't think people have forgotten that," said Mr. Layton. "Wayne is a solid community person. People like that in an MP. During the (Gomery Inquiry) there was a sense of entitlement (in the Liberal government.) Still, we respect any candidate that the Grits choose."
In the 2006 federal election, Mr., Marston received 19,271 votes, while Mr. Valeri received 18,878. The Conservatives' Frank Rukavina garnered 13,578, while the Green Party's Jo Pavlov had 1,613 and Bob Mann had 391 votes
Forum Photo: Wayne Marston with Jimmy Lomax from the 2006 Beach Garage Sale.
(To view the full expanded picture, place cursor over the opened pictire and click on the expand icon on the bottom right.)
Rookie MP may face Di Ianni, who is seeking Liberal nomination
Kevin Werner, Stoney Creek
(Mar 2, 2007)
Hamilton East-Stoney Creek has long been represented by "political stars," who ignored the interests of residents, says incumbent federal NDP MP Wayne Marston.
Mr. Marston, who was unopposed at his riding's nomination meeting last week, said politicians such as Liberals Sheila Copps and John Munro would choose the government's interests over what the people want.
"It's time for the member to represent the people," said Mr. Marston.
The labour leader defended his "grassroots" connection to his constituents as the spectre of former Hamilton Mayor Larry Di Ianni seeks to unseat the rookie federal politician.
Mr. Di Ianni is seeking the Hamilton East-Stoney Creek federal Liberal nomination, confirmed Myra Leffler, president of the riding association.
He will have some competition with a member of the riding executive, Ivan Luksic, contesting the nomination, as well.
Ms. Leffler is also hopeful a female candidate comes forward to seek the nomination. The Liberal Party stated last month it hopes to have women represent one-third of its ridings.
"I would like to see a couple of males and a couple of females contest the nomination," she said.
The riding this week received news the Liberal Party of Canada has lifted the nomination freeze and is encouraging associations to nominate candidates as quickly as possible in time for a possible spring election.
No date for a Hamilton East-Stoney Creek nomination is scheduled, said Ms. Leffler, but she would like to see the event happen "sooner rather than later."
Mr. Di Ianni's entry into federal politics has been made easier after former Hamilton East-Stoney Creek Liberal MP and cabinet minister Tony Valeri informed the association by letter last month he would not seek the nomination.
Ms. Leffler said the association will honour Mr. Valeri on March 8 at Chandelier Place starting at 7 p.m.
Mr. Marston, who held off Mr. Valeri in the January 2006 election by just under 400 votes remained confident he would emerge victorious against a popular Mr. Di Ianni.
Asked by reporters if he would give Mr. Di Ianni a run, he retorted, "He will give me a good run."
Mr. Marston pointed out Mr. Di Ianni left the mayor's chair under a cloud when he was upset by Fred Eisenberger in last fall's municipal election. Mr. Di Ianni was charged with violating the Municipal Elections Act for campaign finance problems.
"People will evaluate our history and there is no doubt Larry Di Ianni, when he was mayor was under a lot of scrutiny, a lot of pressure, and he was charged.
"Each of us comes with our own history," he added.
NDP leader Jack Layton, who was the keynote speaker at Mr. Marston's nomination meeting, praised Mr. Marston for his concern for his constituents, his battles to protect global human rights and his connection to the community.
He didn't believe residents want to return to the bad old days of scandal and corruption under the Jean Chretien regime.
"I don't think people have forgotten that," said Mr. Layton. "Wayne is a solid community person. People like that in an MP. During the (Gomery Inquiry) there was a sense of entitlement (in the Liberal government.) Still, we respect any candidate that the Grits choose."
In the 2006 federal election, Mr., Marston received 19,271 votes, while Mr. Valeri received 18,878. The Conservatives' Frank Rukavina garnered 13,578, while the Green Party's Jo Pavlov had 1,613 and Bob Mann had 391 votes
Forum Photo: Wayne Marston with Jimmy Lomax from the 2006 Beach Garage Sale.
(To view the full expanded picture, place cursor over the opened pictire and click on the expand icon on the bottom right.)