Dear Editor,
I find it hard to comprehend recent news articles regarding our MLA Joe Anglin and the challenges to his candidacy of the Wildrose party. The only reason I can think that his candidacy is being challenged lie in the small-town politics of Rimbey and animosities lingering there from his term as town councillor.
Mr. Anglin has been a tireless worker for area residents first leading the Lavesta group’s opposition to the 500kv electricity transmission lines and exposing the Alberta Energy and Utility Board’s spying on local landowners. Secondly, along with Edmonton lawyer Keith Wilson, Mr. Anglin devoted considerable time and effort to a province wide campaign exposing the Conservative Government’s Bills 19, 24, 36 and 50 - “the land bills” which contained some of the most outrageous attacks on citizens’ property rights ever attempted in a western democracy. Out of this movement came a groundswell of support that boosted the popularity of the fledgling Wildrose Party and eventually saw it elected as the official opposition in the Legislature.
Mr. Anglin is not afraid to expose the on-going scandals of the deregulated electricity sector, and is capable of running rings around Diana McQueen (Minister of Energy and Water) in the legislature. I can, therefore, understand why the Progressive Conservatives and parts of the energy sector might not support Mr. Anglin’s candidacy. What I cannot understand is why Wildrose members would consider voting for inexperienced challengers without Mr. Anglin’s credentials.
I’d urge all members of the Wildrose Party to watch out for upcoming polls to elect the future Wildrose candidate in the Rimbey-Rocky Mountain House-Sundre constituency. Given Mr. Anglin’s dedication, tenacity and experience I’d suggest he should be the obvious choice for re-election.
Iain Aitken,
Rimbey