Cara Loverock
Northern News Services
Published Monday, September 24, 2007

FORT SMITH - Michael Miltenberger faces challenges from two candidates in his bid for a fourth term as MLA for Thebacha.

Fort Smith Mayor Peter Martselos and Jeanie Marie-Jewell, a former MLA, are working to unset Miltenberger.

Miltenberger, 56, who was removed as health minister part way through the last term, says he's running because he is experienced and interested in improving the community.

"There is things to do and I have the experience and skills, I think they're going to be valuable both to the constituency and to the North," he said.

Miltenberger says environmental issues are a top priority and balancing that with building a strong economy.

"If we want a sustainable society and a strong economy we need two things, a healthy environment and healthy people," he said.

"We going to have to, I think, make that a centrepiece. We're going to have to work with the aboriginal governments on how to achieve that."

Last October, Miltenberger was removed as health minister after making unparliamentary comments to Kam Lake MLA Dave Ramsay. Having held the position of health minister for five years, other MLAs voted him out for making what some say was a threatening gesture to Ramsey concerning questions being asked about the Stanton Territorial Hospital.

Miltenberger says the incident is "in the past and people will vote on my record in the community and my potential to keep doing good things for them."

His opponents in the election, Martselos and Marie-Jewell both declined to comment on the issue.

In Fort Smith, the largest community in the riding, there is a strong voting record of 90 to 95 per cent turnout in territorial elections. The community is home to Aurora College and the centre for regional government.

Martselos, 61, has been mayor of Fort Smith for the past 10 years, and served 12 years as town councillor and previously as deputy mayor. His main issue is the economy and jobs in the region.

"We watch economic opportunities take place around us, everywhere else, so I like to bring some industries, some business to Fort Smith," said Martselos.

If elected he says he would seriously look at ways to create employment opportunities and increase tourism.

Jeannie Marie-Jewell, 52, previously served as MLA for the district from 1987 to 1995, and was a town councillor for four years prior to that. She has also served with the Metis Nation as a territorial vice-president and local president.

"I'm running to create a future for Fort Smith. I want an economic base for the community, an economy where there could be jobs," said Marie-Jewell.

Her main goal is to create jobs and supports Taltson hydro expansion. She also wants to create a homeless shelter and co-ordinate employment opportunities for Fort Smith workers in Fort McMurray.

Mike Beaver, acting Chief for Salt River First Nation, says Miltenberger is "doing a good job now and he's trying for Fort Smith."

He also said he would not support the election of past MLA Marie-Jewell, as he was unhappy with her work in previous years.

Hopeful to see Miltenberger come back, Beaver said, "I mean, I'm sure that the people have seen what he's trying to do. Now that he has all that experience."