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Delorey not planning to run for MLA Paul Bickford Northern News Services Published Monday, July 18, 2011
"It's a decision I've been kicking around for a while and I'm pretty well decided that I'm not going to put my name forward when the election rolls around in the fall," said the MLA, who has also been speaker of the legislative assembly since 2004. Delorey said his decision is as definite as he can make it, although he noted the election is still two months away. "Right now, the answer is I'm not running," he said. "I'm not going to be putting my name forward. Now, like I say, nothing is absolutely impossible and nothing is stopping me from running again, other than my own desire to do it or not do it." The MLA said it was a tough decision not to run because he finds it a rewarding experience to help his constituents. However, he noted he is leaving politics for family and personal reasons. "I've been at this for 12 years and you put a lot of family and personal life on hold for doing this job," he said. The MLA said it is time to get reacquainted with his grandchildren and to spend more time with aging relatives in his home province of Nova Scotia. Delorey has lived in Hay River since 1968 and has no intention of leaving. The 62-year-old, who was a train conductor for 30 years before becoming an MLA, doesn't expect to start any new full-time work when he leaves politics. "I think I'll be looking at taking it easy for a while and then getting into something that I enjoy doing," he said, noting that could include hobbies and sports he had put on the backburner. Delorey said he won't be endorsing any candidate seeking to replace him in Hay River North. "I will be just another voting member of the public out there when it comes to the election," he said. Plus, he noted he will remain the legislative assembly's speaker until a new one is elected. Delorey's departure from politics will mean at least one new representative for Hay River, which has two MLAs in the legislative assembly. Robert Bouchard has announced his intention to seek election in Hay River North. "I think I've got an opportunity to serve the community," said Bouchard, a businessman involved in snow removal and auctioneering. The 42-year-old is a former town councillor, who served for 11 years beginning in 1995. In Hay River South, Jean-Marc Miltenberger will once again challenge incumbent MLA Jane Groenewegen. Miltenberger said there is "general dissatisfaction" in his riding about the current state of politics. The candidate unsuccessfully ran against Groenewegen in 2007, and was the focus of one of the most unusual moments of that election. Due to a vote tabulation error by Elections NWT, Miltenberger believed he had won the election and his campaign workers celebrated for about 20 minutes before the mistake was corrected. The candidate said that experience has not turned him away from politics. "You take your knocks and get back up and take another run at it," he said. Miltenberger, 48, served as mayor of Hay River for 18 months, and is co-owner and president of Midnight Petroleum and is also the brother of current cabinet minister and Thebacha MLA Michael Miltenberger. Groenewegen announced several weeks ago that she would seek re-election in Hay River South. Potential candidates in Hay River and elsewhere have until Sept. 9 - the closing of a five-day nomination period - to announce their intentions. Election day is Oct. 3.After 12 years representing Hay River
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