Two paths at once
Your editorial entitled A rock and a hard place (The NEWS, Jan. 10) reviewed the recent acclamation of BC Liberal Party’s “star candidate” for MLA in Parksville-Qualicum.
You suggested that her competitors in May’s election would be ill-advised to ask the necessary tough questions of the “local hero”, but that you had done just that on their behalf in the Q&A on Page A9 — where I immediately turned.
The newly-minted candidate seemed easily able to side-step any direct question she chose; for a neophyte in the political arena, she apparently has had several tutorials from Mr. Bojangles himself in tap-dancing around reporters’ questions.
Without ever diminishing her past accomplishments and future aspirations in the sporting arena, voters may question someone who opens her 18-week election campaign by planning to be absent for seven weeks training for athletic competitions in Australia.
She’ll definitely need further time to train and participate in the build-up to the 2016 Brazil Paralympic Games, which she seems to indicate are also within the her sights.
Your editorial ended by reporting that her answers to you sounded both reasonable and logical; however, some voters may think it is somewhat unreasonable and illogical to even dream of being an elected and fully-paid MLA, and yet expect to be away for such extended periods.
Of course, being acclaimed by the BC Liberals as a star candidate is one thing, being elected as a full-time parliamentary representative is entirely another.
Bernie Smith
Parksville
