Here for a visit, but not for a lengthy chat

Perhaps a little concerned over the optics of a candidate that seems hesitant to engage Prince Rupert in debate over the issues, the Conservatives seemed to dominate the Daily News election coverage on Wednesday with scene setters and updates on the campaign happenings of Sharon Smith.

The Daily News provided two articles on Mrs. Smith on Wednesday, from a look into her Prince Rupert campaign offices’ dimly lit confines, to her thoughts on the issues of note presented to local residents for examination.

She touched on the controversial “go to days” of last year as she took on the duties of a liaison for the riding for the Conservatives, seemingly sending the message that the local MP, inconveniently an NDP member, should have be passed by it seems, should constituents have issues to be dealt with. It was a move that landed both her and Dick Harris in a fair amount of hot water and seemed to run counter to the spirit of Parliamentary democracy.

All of her points were interesting, worthy of study and perhaps even a discussion, or dare we say it, a debate, but alas perhaps somewhere else eh!

In the course of one article, she answers Nathan Cullen’s comments about her avoiding debate on the issues, though her answer won’t particularly find a receptive audience in Prince Rupert, which still apparently won’t see the Conservative candidate in debate in our city next week.

As the article explains the candidate only has so much time and can’t be everywhere, though she does say that “she has been with Rupert all along”.

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However, her spokesperson doesn’t do her any favours when comments like this make up the bulk of a news story “However, campaigns are short and there will be lots of time in the other all-candidate debates and organized events (around the riding) to discuss these issues.”

So while she’s been with us all along, it seems that she can’t be with us once to explain her policies and that of her party in a public forum, should we really want to learn more about her I guess we can just head off for one of those OTHER debates, you know the ones elsewhere that she feels are important enough to attend…

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There are eight all candidates debates scheduled across the riding, Mrs. Smith so far has skipped the Fort St. James event and is not planning on attending the one here in Prince Rupert, that leaves six more to go, book your travel arrangements accordingly..

Smith looking to bridge the divides
Conservative candidate keen to work for region
By George Baker
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Page three

The activity around the Conservative campaign office was not one of a buzzing nature last Friday morning. Not that the Rupert Conservative team was doing nothing. In fact, members were working hard and planning out their door-knocking and telephone campaign; getting ready for the arrival of candidate Sharon Smith, the Houston Mayor and Skeena-Bulkley Valley hopeful.
Smith's supporters were subdued as they went about their work inside the old, dimly-lit, wooden office on Third Avenue.

Then suddenly, like a kid with sugar rush, the room came alive with anticipation as Smith arrived and shook hands with members of her team. Their candidate was in town, the raison d'être of their work.

While there has been some criticism about Smith's early omission of the Prince Rupert all-candidates forum on Oct. 9, she said she has been with Rupert all along.

"When I first got into local government politics, it was always about divide and conquer and we all worked in individual communities or regional districts and were focusing on our own needs and not necessarily supporting each other. What we have done over the last few years is get more done by working together and so that's what we really have done in the recent past," said Smith.

Smith remarked that when the Port of Prince Rupert was looking for support right across the region - all the way to Prince George - there was backing from all communities.

"We said this was something (Prince Rupert) needs and yes we are hoping, in the Interior, that the port will benefit us, but first and foremost it is going to benefit Prince Rupert and that is why the next phase of the port needs to be done faster," said Smith.

It has been a long wait for Smith to get her chance at a national election. For more than a year, the former nurse has waited to take a run at the federal post and between the time she was named as the Conservatives' choice as the local rep and this month's election she has had a couple of bumps - none more controversial then the 'go-to-person' fiasco involving her, NDP MP Nathan Cullen and Conservative Prince George-Cariboo MP Dick Harris.

Harris named Smith as the Conservatives' 'liaison' in Skeena-Bulkley Valley, which drew fire from Cullen.

The rational behind the unusual decision by the Conservative party to name a liaison was that Smith could give the Skeena-Bulkley Valley riding access to government.

Smith has echoed that call this election and does not regret one bit the fact she was named the 'liaison' for the Conservatives last year.

"What I understood was that Harris' office was getting many calls and they were unable to reach the Member of Parliament here and they would be able to reach me. What I said was if people choose to give me a call then I will follow up on it. But in no way was it to demean the position of the MP," said Smith.

While Smith was not afraid to address the go-to-person issue, her greater focus is winning the election. And one of the main reasons she is running this time is so that the federal government will do away with the much-maligned long gun registry.

Smith, who owns a long gun herself, said it has been a major waste of taxpayer money.

"A billion dollars that could be going to other programs and its not doing what it was meant to do; it was meant to stop crimes with guns and it's not stopping crimes with guns, it's not making the criminals register their guns. If criminals want to use and hide their guns, it is not that hard. What the long gun registry is doing is penalizing law-abiding citizens, hunters, farmers," said Smith.

Smith doesn't see much point in keeping the registry around and would love to ditch the plan.

One plan she would like to see come to fruition is a fisheries plan that involves all fishing stakeholders in the riding and that sets out a direction for the future.

"I think what we have to look at is to try and make sure that fisheries is balanced for everybody and the rules are fair for everyone and so I feel personally that we need to have everyone's input and consideration in matters of fisheries. I think there is a great opportunity there and I think we need to come together listening to everyone involved."

Smith said she believed there had only been a select few groups involved in the discussion and she thinks that was totally wrong.

"Especially when you see people's lives going down the tube," said Smith.

With that, Smith was off to the Queen Charlottes to meet with locals there about their issues and concerns and to introduce herself as the Conservative candidate.

Whether Smith has done enough to make it clear that she is the best person for the North Coast will be for voters to decide.

Candidate eager to debate issues
By George T. Baker
The Daily News
Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Page two

Sharon Smith has responded to Nathan Cullen's challenge to debate with him on the economy and environment.

Smith campaign spokesperson Natasha Beaton, speaking on behalf of Smith, said that Smith would be happy to discuss important issues with Cullen on the environment and economy.

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"However, campaigns are short and there will be lots of time in the other all-candidate debates and organized events (around the riding) to discuss these issues," said Beaton.

Yesterday, Cullen threw down a challenge to Smith because she had not responded to his proposed debate on the CBC and had not planned to be at the all-candidates forum in Rupert on Oct. 9.
Beaton responded by saying that instead of debating at every forum, Smith is using her time to meet with people in different communities.

"Her time is already committed and she does want to discuss the important issues and that's why these events are important.

"She is attending these (forums) as much as she can so that she can go to the people as much as she can and she is happy to discuss this with Cullen."

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There are eight all-candidate forums planned across the riding heading east-to-west, from Fort St. James to Prince Rupert.