April 3 - Electoral District Predictions

Sign War at the Stelmach Ranch

by Nicky Walker-Kobly

One of the most stand-up fellows I have ever had the pleasure of meeting is Premier Ed Stelmach. He is always friendly, kind to those around him and gracious. I think he was the last good Premier we ever had. His true Open-Door philosophy died when he left office. He always allowed all MLAs, government or opposition, to come to him to discuss anything.  Providing of course he had the time.  And Mr. Stelmach usually made the time.

One of the unwritten rules of having held the chair of Premier is you never endorse a candidate for elections. The reason is pretty obvious. The Premiership is a bruising and lonely job in a way only the small handful of individuals who have held it can truly appreciate.  It's a fraternity of sorts. There is an unspoken code of respect they extend to one another not to weigh in once their time is done. The torch has been passed. However, it's not entirely unselfish.  The history and legacy of any Premier is a least partly written after they leave office through their charitable works and advocacy. By becoming less partisan once they leave office, premiers work to become statespeople as a way to shape their legacy.

Premier Stelmach has done just that. He has been respectful and generous to Albertans in his work and in his private life.  He is still an active member of his community and draws respect from all sides for his continuing class and dedication to the province.

Which is what makes the last week seem stupid to me.  

On April 2 Jessica Littlewood put out a tweet with a picture of Ed Stelmach and herself.  
In the tweet she wrote

"One of many fundraisers I was at that Ed Stelmach also attended because we live in the same area of rural AB.  He was nice enough to take a photo with me as usual, and claims of picking a side are unsubstantiated.  Ed is a good man on the side of Alberta.  That much is true."

Seriously? Do you think Albertans need your endorsement to respect Ed Stelmach? Asking him if he has chosen a side for the election? You know that a person's vote is their own private business? Why would you imagine that you could ask a retired premier?

It was classless and tacky but whatever. Everyone likes to take pictures with real stars right? BUT immediately after that tweet, the Stelmach ranch was surrounded by UPC signs. Let me point out none of the signs were on his property. They were just on the public lands. It's been known for some time that Jackie Homeniuk, the UPC candidate for the riding is being advised by Shayne Saskiw, previous MLA for the WRP and husband to MP Shannon Stubbs. Mr. Saskiw knows this is tacky. He knows that you don't do this to a retired premier. So did he advise his candidate to do it or did she do it on her own accord? It was clearly a response to the tweet as it happened immediately afterwards. Premier Stelmach can't ask for them to be removed because they are on public property and the inference is he supports the UCP candidate. I would never dream of showing such disrespect to Mr. Stelmach and his family. The UPC party as a whole should know better. Why would they think this was acceptable?  Sure the tweet was stupid. Do you try to regain support in a very tight race by dragging in a man who has already earned the respect of Albertans? I thought this move was way over the top. Why don't you instead put the two front-runners together in front of an audience and have them hash it out? I know Jessica Littlewood has been heard to say she'd welcome it. What is Jackie Homeniuk afraid of? Did Mr. Saskiw tell her not to? Why?

Anyway, yesterday an amazing thing happened.  The Alberta Party candidate for the area, Marvin Olsen, put signs up directly beside the UPC signs. In fact, his signs are closer to the property line and, in one case, is substantially larger than the usual lawn sign.  I immediately thought Mr. Stelmach is the BOSS.  Everybody trying to get traction because of association with him or signage around his property had best be careful. Steady Eddy is not playing your game. In an effort to dismiss the UPC's tacky sign game and in answer to Jessica Littlewood's thick-headed tweet, it looks very much to me like Premier Stelmach said "Who I support is NOT your business. I support NOBODY publicly so I will support everyone." This makes me respect him even more.