Posted by Hanover Post on 6/29/2004, 12:35 pm, in reply to "The Big Five didn't offer Reform" Owen Sound By about 10:20 pm, CBCs election desk had declared Miller the winner and a couple minutes later it projected a Liberal minority government. People chatted in his downtown Owen Sound headquarters about how Miller could have been declared the victor so soon, but as the votes poured in, Millers smile broadened. He maintained his percentage of the vote throughout the night at about 45 per cent. By about 11 pm with beads of sweat on his brow in the hot room, Miller faced the media safe in the knowledge hed won. He thanked his supporters and remarked, Im happy for them. I know theyre elated. And, I dont know, maybe it will hit me tomorrow. With 226 of 228 polls reporting, Miller had 22,021 votes, while Liberal incumbent MP Ovid Jackson had 17,480. The NDPs Sebastian Ostertag had 6,394, Alex Drossos of the Green Party 2,047 and Christian Heritages Steven Taylor 972. The two remaining polls are special national polls and the results were not available. The results are unofficial until Wednesday. Miller said more help for beef farmers was a priority, regardless of which party forms the government. People cant afford to wait any longer. Theyre going to lose their livelihoods. He conceded the Liberals would likely form a minority government and he was disappointed about that. I am surprised at the Liberal amount. I thought we might have had a chance to form a minority government. Miller said the local voters message probably reflects peoples belief the Liberals lack credibility and integrity. There were other issues at play locally too. Miller said farmers felt abandoned and people were ready to replace Jackson. Miller wouldnt comment on Jacksons campaign but he reluctantly acknowledged there were some complaints about him at the door. I think the real comments on that came at the polls today. I think lets leave it at that. Weve got to congratulate Ovid on 11 years of being an MP and probably 20-some years as a municipal politician. I think the people of Owen Sound and Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound federally owe him a big thanks for that. Miller said he expected Georgian Bluffs deputy-mayor Carl Spencer would move up to the mayors chair now that Miller is going to Ottawa. ID- 71812 http://www.hanoverpost.ca/webapp/sitepages/content.asp?contentid=71812&catname=Local+News
Voters call for Miller time
Local News - Tuesday, June 29, 2004 @ 09:00
Left, Larry Miller, Conservative Party nominee for the Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound electoral district, shared a friendly handshake with Liberal Party candidate Ovid Jackson at a Meet The Candidates meeting on June 24 at the IWA Hall. Miller claimed the riding of Grey-Bruce-Owen Sound last night.
Photo: By Nicki Cruickshank
OWEN SOUND Conservative Larry Millers slogan was right voters decided it was time for change locally.
