 |
|
|
|
|
  
|
Marie-Jewell seeks return to assembly after 16 years PAUL BICKFORD Northern News Services Published Monday, September 19, 2011
Jeannie Marie-Jewell, who served as MLA from 1987 to 1995, has joined what is now a three-person race.
This will be the second time she will be running to regain the seat since narrowly losing to current MLA Michael Miltenberger in 1995.
"I feel that it's important with the ability of my leadership that I give the opportunity to our community people to make a choice and to have a choice, because that's democracy," she said.
Marie-Jewell, 56, believes this election race will be different than in 2007 when she placed third among the same three candidates who are also running this time around.
"I think the last time working in Fort McMurray and living in Fort Smith caused a problem and caused doubt for some voters," she said, noting some people felt back then that she was not from Fort Smith because of her work in Alberta, even though she was born and raised in the community and always maintained her residence there.
In 2007, Miltenberger collected 531 votes, compared to 444 for former Fort Smith mayor Peter Martselos, who is also running again, and 197 for Marie-Jewell.
Her concerns include completing chipsealing of Highway 5, helping to create jobs, protecting health benefits for seniors and ensuring funding for education.
During her time as MLA, Marie-Jewell served as minister of social services, minister of personnel, and minister responsible for the worker's compensation board and status of women. She was also speaker of the legislative assembly.
"I do know that I have a lot of experience in respect to what is required of the job and the demands of the job. I'm knowledgeable in that area," she said. "I feel that, as an individual, I'm courageous. However, at the same time, I'm compassionate. I'm friendly, and yet I'm firm."
During her time in politics, Marie-Jewell was involved in a number of controversial issues, but she doesn't think that will influence voters.
"Sometimes you would think it would be a detriment, but I think the reality is people recognize that I'm always there willing to help people," she said.
She is currently a councillor with Salt River First Nation, and a board member with Thebacha Business Development Services, and the Fort Smith Health and Social Services Authority.
Marie-Jewell said a recent call by Bill Erasmus, national chief of the Dene Nation, for aboriginal people to run in the territorial election had no impact on her decision to seek election.
"I don't look at running just because I'm aboriginal," she said.
Marie-Jewell also doesn't think the fact Miltenberger is being touted as a possible premier will influence voters.
"I don't believe so, because I've got experience too as an MLA," she said. "If I felt that was going to have such an impact, I wouldn't have considered running in this election."
|
