Index
News Editorial Letters 911 Awards Mother’s Day contest Sports Classified
3 10 11 13 22 27 30
Graffiti teens arrested
Bearded bandwagon
Two teenage boys are facing charges in connection with the racist graffiti found at an elementary school and on a trailer earlier this year.
WEB EXCLUSIVE: Follow the growth of reporter Alan Campbell’s Canucks’ playoff beard and his post-game observations at www-richmond-news.com (click on the Opinion tab.)
7
W
E
D
N
E
S
D
A
Y
,
M
A
Y
4 ,
23 23
2 0 1 1
Follow us on
YOUR
SOURCE
FOR
LOCAL
SPORTS
,
NEWS
,
W E AT H E R
AND
E N T E RTA I N M E N T
!
WWW
.RICHMOND-NEWS.COM
DECISION 2011
CHUNG CHOW/RICHMOND NEWS
Agony and ecstasy ... Alice Wong celebrates her re-election with a high-five, main picture. Above, the mood is sombre in Joe Peschisolido’s campaign office as the reality of a shattering defeat sets in. Right, Tory Kerry-Lynne Findlay celebrates her Delta-Richmond East win with former MP John Cummins.
Avalanche: Wong buries rivals, Grits suffer acampbell@richmond-news.com
It wasn’t so much an election landslide as it was an avalanche. Tory incumbent Alice Wong was the runaway winner in Richmond with a massive 58.35 per cent of the vote as support for the Liberal’s Joe Peschisolido collapsed. Indeed, Peschisolido only clung on grimly by 0.4 per cent of the vote for second, ahead of a surge from the NDP’s Dale Jackaman. In a night that the voter turnout fell once more to a new historical low — just 50.7 per cent (down from 52 per cent in 2008) — the Green’s Michael Wolfe trailed in last with just 4.7 per cent of the vote. The Conservative’s candidate in DeltaRichmond East, Kerry-Lynne Findlay, enjoyed a similarly convincing win (54 per cent) over the NDP’s Nic Slater (23.2), with the Liberal’s Alan Beesley disappointing in third with 17 per cent. But in Richmond, it was a night for Wong and her supporters to savour. “The people of Richmond have spoken, and I like what they said, don’t you,” said a $
$ $
$
Tory incumbent rakes in 58 per cent, NDP almost snatches second as Liberals collapse
When asked how she’ll do that, Wong happy, if somewhat tired-looking, Wong to said, “Richmond is the Pacific gateway. We a crowd of about 250 supporters at her camcan further explore trade with China, India paign office. and Japan.” The people have said yes to a strong Wong also said she sees a bright future for majority mandate, yes to Stephen Harper Richmond’s tourism and yes to a industry. Conservative govRichmond election results: On local issues, ernment, Wong told ! Alice Wong, Conservative: 25,104 votes Wong said she supthe cheering crowd, ports the Garden with her husband at (58.35 per cent); ! Joe Peschisolido, Liberal, 8,035 votes (18.71 City lands staying her side. green, but the lands Wong described per cent); ! Dale Jackaman, NDP, 7,862 votes (18.31 per are now owned by the decisive win as the city and it’s up “humbling and reaf- cent); firming.” ! Michael Wolfe, Greens, 2,034 (4.7 per cent). to the city to decide the lands’ fate. This is Wong’s Voter turnout: 50.7 per cent She dismissed second electoral the notion that Ottawa owes money to the victory. In 2008, she beat incumbent Liberal City of Richmond as a result of that land Raymond Chan with 49.8 per cent of the deal, saying the issue was complicated and votes. involves a number of different players. After her speech, Wong told reporters Wong also said she will advocate for a strengthening the economy and creating strong environmental review of the jet fuel more jobs are key priorities for her and the pipeline proposal, although she noted that Conservative government.
$
$
Beer, Wine, Pop, Juice, Water
It's worth
RICHMOND BOTTLE DEPOT
it.
=$
the current proposal has been withdrawn and until another one is presented, there is little to comment on. The biggest challenge Wong said she faces in the weeks and months ahead is simply dealing with the number of specific issues among her constituents. Richmond’s high new immigrant population means for a busy constituency office. “I would like to see more resources for that,” said Wong. Wong thanked the other Richmond candidates, Jackaman, Peschisolido and Wolf, “for putting their beliefs into action by running for office.” Just after her speech, Liberal candidate Joe Peschisolido entered the campaign office to offer his congratulations. See pages 3, 4 and 5 for full election night coverage of both Richmond ridings and go to www.richmond-news.com for more reaction and photos.
8171 Westminster Hwy. (at Buswell, one block east of No. 3 Rd.) Walkway access also from Save-On Foods parking lot
Mon-Sat 8:45-6:30 Sun 10-5 (604) 780-4959
07283111
BY EVE EDMONDS, ALAN CAMPBELL