Southeast Communities Compete in Manitobaville By Marianne Curtis
Provincial Election Kicks Off By Marianne Curtis The 40th provincial election race has barely started and candidates are already pounding the pavement vying for the support of voters when they head to the polls on October 4. With the election “officially” called after the September long weekend, candidates will only have twenty-eight days to convince voters to either vote for change or keep the status quo. When it comes to the faces of this year’s election, there is a familiar name in each constituency except for La Verendrye. Dennis Smook from Vita, Monica Guetre from La Broquerie and Maurice Tallaire from St. Adolphe have their work cut out for them convincing voters that things will be different this time around. All three candidates agree Former NDP La Verendrye MLA Ron Lemieux is hoping to become the first MLA for Dawson Trail. that the region’s mostly rural and widespread constituency needs a very strong voice. “I don’t believe the other parties Dawson Trail Morris will ever pay attention to southern Manitoba – that’s why I am Liberal – Sandra Hoskins Liberal - Janelle Mailhot running,” stated Guetre, who is NDP – Ron Lemieux* NDP – Mohamed Alli vying to turn southern Manitoba’s PC – Larry Tetrault PC – Mavis Taillieu* party colors to Liberal red. “When it comes to eastern Manitoba, the La Verendrye Steinbach government should not be telling us what we need, the voter should Liberal – Monica Guetre Liberal – Lee Fehler be telling our government what they NDP – Maurice Tallaire NDP – Dalydia Gutierrez need – we are not looking at building PC – Dennis Smook PC – Kelvin Goertzen* rural communities.” Tory candidate Dennis Smook, a Emerson vita businessman, agrees that the area is behind others and he is Liberal - Micheline Belliveau NDP – Lori Fiddler *incumbent Continued on page 3 PC – Cliff Graydon*
Meet the Candidates
Three communities from within the southeast are among 10 towns vying for the title of ManitobaVille and a coveted $25,000 cash prize to be used towards a community project. The communities of St. Malo, Woodridge and La Broquerie are among seven other rural communities duking it out on the Internet as supporters cast their online votes for the community with the best video and project proposal. A total of 54 videos from throughout the province were submitted to the contest. The video had to answer two questions: Why is your community awesome and what would you do with $25,000. A panel of judges from four Winnipeg radio stations, along with other local celebrities, then select ten finalists and invited people online to vote. The community that receives the most on-line votes will receive a grand prize of $25,000 along with a 3-day long event celebration in September. On behalf of the community of Woodridge, teenager Rene Boily and her friends showed pride in the tiny hamlet that boasts all of 200 residents. “Woodridge may be boring at times because we don’t have anything to do but we still have good times with everyone that lives here,” stated Boily. “We would use the money to fix up the 100-year-old church! And with the extra money we would buy a couple things to make a skate park for the kids.” In St. Malo voting took place fast and furious in support of an entertaining video put together by Georges Beaudry. The St. Malo Song celebrates the community while describing how $25,000 could help several projects in St. Malo, including helping the community daycare center, expand the local recycling program and complete renovations at both the arena and museum. The community was so determined to win the prize a variety of voting parties took place where people could bring laptops to one location and vote together. A more professionally presented video by the community of La Broquerie showed how the money would be used to upgrade the agricultural centre into a sports centre for year round use to better serve the increasing population and its demands. They would also like to use the money towards new walking and cycling paths throughout the community. Among the 54 entries originally considered were videos representing New Bothwell, Niverville and two from Lorette. Voting took place online for two weeks with the final day being September 6. The winner will be officially crowned ManitobaVille in the following days.