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by Tom Sasvari
BLIND RIVER- Since he was first elected to the Legislature in
1987, Mike Brown has worked hard to improve life for his
constituents in the Algoma-Manitoulin riding.
This was only one of the messages heard at the celebration of
the 15th anniversary of Mike Brown as MPP for Algoma-Manitoulin,
last Thursday in Blind River. In the spring of 1987, over 2,000
people jammed the Espanola High School gymnasium to nominate a
candidate for the imminent general election. The largest
political gathering in the history of Algoma-Manitoulin selected
Mike Brown, of Kagawong to run in that election. He went on to
win, and then was elected again in 1990, 1995, and 1999.
Recently, he was nominated as the party's candidate in the
riding for the next election.
"You are very lucky to have a representative like Mike as the
MPP," said David Ramsay, MPP for Timiskaming-Cochrane. "I know
how hard Mike works, and he is a strong spokesperson for the
area and the challenges faced by those in the North."
"One of the biggest jobs of a party is trying to convince good
people to run for election. In Mike Brown we see this, the
commitment and dedication to his constituents," said Dalton
McGuinty, MPP and Leader of the Ontario Liberal Party.
"One of the wonderful things about Mike is that he has all of
these wonderful qualities, and is a great colleague, friend, and
I can tell you is relentless in advocating for his constituents
on many specific issues," continued Mr. McGuinty. He
acknowledged the support provided by Mr. Brown's family, wife
Lynn, and daughters. "On behalf of our party and everyone here
tonight I would like to give congratulations to Mike for a job
well done over the past 15 years," stated Mr. McGuinty.
Bob Gallagher, Mayor of Blind River pointed out, "Mike has been
our member for the past four to five years and must be overjoyed
at the tremendous turnout here tonight, to show our appreciation
for everything he has done."
"During the past 15 years, we have seen changes in government,
changes in government policies, we have even seen the riding's
boundaries expand considerably, encompassing an incredible 86,00
square kilometres. But, through it all, the one constant has
been Mike's dedicated representation of his constituents," said
event organizer Gerry Edwards, of Blind River.
"Mike is a little greyer, a little heavier, and maybe a little
wiser, but he remains the same energetic MPP who knows who he
represents. He proudly represents the people of the rural North.
He still accepts nothing less for his constituents than any
other Ontarian. He still presses his case with the same
responsible, determined style that continues to bring us
together," said Espanola Mayor Marcel Rancourt.
Mr. Rancourt said it has been a pleasure to knock on residents
doors in Espanola with Mr. Brown in election campaigns, where he
has been received very well. "I would hope that after the next
provincial election Premier McGuinty would consider Mike as the
Minister of Northern Development (and Mines) to represent rural
Northern Ontario. This loyal Algoma-Manitoulin riding deserves
it and Mike has most certainly earned it," said Mr. Rancourt.
Among others who bade congratulations to Mr. Brown, either by
representative, or through letter, was the town of Elliot Lake,
Billings Township and Northeastern Manitoulin and the Islands,
Michipicoten, Desbarats, and the Wikwemikong Unceded First
Nation.
Les Gamble, of Sables-Spanish River said, "No municipality in
our riding can complain with the work our MPP has done. We lost
the mines on the North Shore but by working together we have
been able to go ahead, move forward, and this only happens when
you have a leader like Mike."
"It seems hard to believe that 15 years ago this funeral
director (Mr. Brown) was in my restaurant and sold me a
membership to the Liberal party," said Delroy Prescott, Northern
Regional vice-president for the Ontario Liberal Party. He
pointed out, "As I travel through Ontario I have never ever
heard a disparaging word about our MPP. People say to me you
have a great MPP. He is a great person, and someone who is held
in very high regard by the party," said Mr. Prescott, who also
delivered accolades from Liberal Party President Greg Sobrera.
It was noted by Brent St. Denis, MP for Algoma-Manitoulin that
the riding is so large, Blind River to Toronto is a shorter trip
than going west to the other end of the riding.
"I hold the highest regard for Mike as a friend, and
congratulate him on his 15th anniversary. I 'm sure there are
other friendly federal-provincial MPP-MP relationships around,
but we are able to work together effectively for the 55-60
communities in the riding. It's the type of working relationship
that the federal and provincial members should have for its
residents, sharing instead of fighting on issues," said Mr. St.
Denis. "I can always count on Mike for his advice and defer to
his superior experience and in reflecting on the eight years
I've shared the area with him, we will work well together for
many more years."
As well as Mr. St. Denis, Mr. Brown has worked in the same
riding with long time Algoma MP Dr. Maurice Foster, who was also
in attendance at the anniversary celebration.
"We are here tonight to pay tribute to the tremendous
contribution Mike has made to Algoma-Manitoulin over the past 15
years," said Dr. Foster. "Thirty-four years ago I thought I had
a tremendous nomination meeting, but in 1987 when 2,000 people
were on hand for his nomination, it was one of the biggest we've
ever had, with five candidates."
Dr. Foster said that the province has not seen a more raucous
government than the current one. "And even party members, one by
one, have been trying to distance themselves from the party's
'Common Sense Revolution.' Even the premier of today is trying
to get away from it."
"But, tonight we are here to pay tribute to Mike, Lynn and their
daughters. Mike and Lynn were in a similar situation as my wife
Jan and I, with her really raising the kids while I was out on
the campaign and constituency trails, leaving our wives home to
raise the kids, but also to be our best critics, and supporters
we have," said Dr. Foster. "Mike is indefatiguable, and never
gives up working for his constituents, and once he is elected he
works that much harder."
When she first became involved as a member of the
Algoma-Manitoulin Liberal Riding Association, there was very few
members, said Nola Haner. However, by 1987 there were five
candidates for the nomination and about 3,000 members. "We
needed a strong Liberal voice in the North and Mike has been
that."
Barb Boulard worked as a member of Mr. Brown's campaign team in
1987 and "we're fortunate he had such astuteness and experience,
and good strategies in getting things done. I was always most
impressed with his organizational skills."
Ms. Boulard told those at the celebration that Mr. Brown won the
fist election, September 10, 1987, in a landslide. "Mike still
is committed and dedicated to serving his constituents."
"I'm overwhelmed with so many people being here tonight, and the
support you have given over the 15 years," stated Mr. Brown. He
noted when he first ran for election, "I had called Barb (Boulard)
and said I need a campaign manager. She said, 'I've never done
that before,' and I said I've never run as a candidate in an
election, so we would be fine working together." He remembered
that Premier David Peterson and he went on the campaign trail
together in the riding. "Starting in the morning at a breakfast
in Elliot Lake, we then went on the bus to Espanola, and walked
through the mall, and then went to South Baymouth, by bus."
"I'm so happy to have my good friend, the chair of the Liberal
caucus, David Ramsay here. I have learned a great deal from him.
And, I am particularly pleased that our leader, Dalton McGuinty,
who will be the next Premier of Ontario, is here," continued Mr.
Brown.
He also bade gratitude for the attendance of Mr. St. Denis and
Mr. Foster. "Maurice taught me about going door to door to speak
to constituents, and in getting elected, but once you have done
this to continue to work hard to earn their support. This type
of working relationship has continued with Brent equally as
well," said Mr. Brown.
"I would also like to take a moment to thank my daughters Paula,
Michelle, who is teaching in Korea, Jennifer and Amy. Over the
years, if you look at the pictures we have displayed here
tonight and look at the girls from when I was first elected in
1987, it shows the wonderful job Lynn did in raising them. We
are very proud of our girls and the accomplishments we have had
in our family, and that is an achievement that Lynn is hugely
responsible for," said Mr. Brown.
In talking about the past 15 years, and the future, Mr. Brown
pointed out, "We have succeeded in many ways in
Algoma-Manitoulin to make our communities better. The economic
challenges we are faced with, along with education and health
care are all close to home. Since 1987, we have done some things
that have made things better, in the areas of health care and
transportation for instance, but, we still have some
difficulties such as getting health care specialists to work in
the communities on a day to day basis."
"We have improved things in several areas, but have a long way
to go and a lot more to do. We need to continue to earn the
trust of the people of Ontario and we will do this," said Mr.
Brown. "I want to thank everyone who is here tonight," said Mr.
Brown. "It makes one humble to see how many people are here
tonight, and the distance they have had to travel to get here,
people from areas such as Desbarats, Burnt Island and the newer
part of the riding, Blind River, Wawa, Hornepayne and the many
others who I have enjoyed working with."
He acknowledged the work and support he has received from Barb
Boulard, Hugh McLaughlin, Gus Debassige, Gerry Edwards over the
years, including his office staff, Eva Tomalin, Anne Marie
Guimond, Tom Farquhar, and Craig Hughson.
"Working as close as I have with Mike for the past years, and
seeing what he does day to day, I'm glad that I work for him. He
is very dedicated, and gives a lot of his time and effort. You
can never understand how hard he works until you see him do it,"
said Mr. Farquhar. "It has been an eye opener since I started
working with Mike. On behalf of the staff, I would like to
express our sincere appreciation and the fact we have had the
opportunity to work for you, and with you."
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