Tag: Mike Allen

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Alberta Ft Mac Politics

Fort MacMurray Ridings See Wildrose Defeat Don Scott and Mike Allen

Fort MacMurray ridings, Don Scott, Mike Allen

Don Scott and Mike Allen, former PCs, have been defeated in the Fort MacMurray ridings by Wildrose. Both of the politicians have restated their hope to serve their local community, but they will have to find other ways to do this after losing in the recent election. According to Scott “It’s really been a fantastic journey. Even though tonight, even though there’s some tears out there, I feel good, I feel good from what we’ve accomplished.” Scott also had positive words after being defeated, saying “People asked me why I became a lawyer and the same question was asked of me when I ran with Mike in 2012. I said it was to help people. I think the one thing Mike and I can say is, we’ve helped a lot of people.”

After losing in the Fort MacMurray ridings both Mike Allen and Don Scott are looking forward instead of looking behind them. Allen discussed the loss and said “Some people thought what … we were trying to achieve was balanced … but we also heard from both sides of the spectrum. Obviously the messaging that was out there from the other parties fit with the voters a lot stronger.” Allen also discussed his 2013 charges for soliciting prostitution in Minnesota while the politician was on a business trip. “I didn’t hear it on the campaign trail. I think it was more in the direction of the other parties. A lot of votes were cast in emotion, but time will tell how this will all unfold in the future, and I’ll be watching it very closely.”

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Alberta Economic Ft Mac

Highway 63 Delays Have Mike Allen and Brian Jean Pointing Fingers at Each Other

Highway 63 delays, Brian Jean, Mike Allen

The continuous Highway 63 delays have politicians Brian Jean and Mike Allen pointing fingers at each other, with each one blaming the other for the delays in twinning the highway. This has led to a heated disagreement between the two men over who is responsible for the delays and what to do about it. According to Jean a $150 million contribution from Ottawa was made in 2006, which was half of the funded that was necessary to twin the highway at the time. Construction was expected to be completed by 2012. Jean stated “From my understanding, a lot of that area is still incomplete. Within 30 days of getting elected, the Conservative federal government announced $150 million for Highway 63 even though the Charter says (transportation) is 100% the province’s responsibility.”

Mike Allen does not agree with Brian Jean about who is responsible for the Highway 63 delays. Allen responded by saying “He knows full well the original announcement in 2006 was not for the entire highway. I did previously thank Brian for his efforts in helping to streamline the permit process with the Department of Fisheries and Oceans. Inflation played a part, but throw in the permits we needed and the fact that, in a hot economy, bidding on projects became that much more expensive.” Finger pointing is not going to get the job done. The twinning delays are a fact, and instead of being concerned about what happened in the past hopefully both ridings can work together to ensure the desired outcome.

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Ft Mac Politics

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo PC Nomination Goes to Mike Allen

Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo PC nomination, Mike Allen

The Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo PC nomination showed overwhelming support for Mike Allen as their provincial election candidate, and that means that Allen has been forgiven for the prostitution charges eh faced in 2013 and that he is doing a good job so far. According to one source Allen won almost 80% of the vote, in spite of the fact that challenger Tracy McKinnon was endorsed by Iris Kirschner who is the former riding association president and by Dave Kirschner who is a former councillor. McKinnon also had experience with the local Catholic school system and plenty of experience as a volunteer. The actual vote count is not known, and PC riding association president Steve Auty explained that the election results would not be officially released to the public.

After winning the Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo PC nomination Mike Allen praised hi opposition by saying “She fought hard and worked really, really hard and she had me scared throughout the whole process based on what she was doing. I look forward to leading this constituency association into the upcoming election and into a win for the next term.” Allen also discussed some of the issues at hand, stating “We do have a very challenging and unique budget coming forward. It’s a budget that’s going to have a lot of challenges in it and have an impact on all Albertans. I think, for the most part, Fort McMurray residents and people who have been here for any long amount of time have been through these challenges before. We’re better prepared to weather the storm better than many other communities. It won’t be as controversial in this community as it will be in other parts of the province, but it is going to be one that is particularly closely looked at.”

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Ft Mac Politics

Tracy McKinnon Issues Challenge for PC Spot to Mike Allen

Tracy McKinnon, Mike Allen

Tracy McKinnon, the chairperson for the Fort McMurray Catholic School District, has issued a challenge to Mike Allen for the PC spot. McKinnon is attempting to make an argument that a new premiere to lead the party is the kind of change that Fort MacMurray needs. During an interview on Wednesday the 22 year old Fort MacMurray resident told the reporter that she thinks she is well qualified to represent Wood Buffalo in the Alberta Legislature. McKinnon said “The voters will will make their voices heard. It’s important to the democratic process to have a choice. Under our new leadership, I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen and I believe we are really on the right track. I see hope and rejuvenation and I want to be a part of that change.”

Before Tracy McKinnon gave an interview about her challenge for PC spot to Mike Allen she sent out a press release. This release read in part “We need somebody who commits to meaningful engagement with stakeholders, who listens to people, understands the issues, and is not afraid to make our voices heard. By having education, health, human services and experience with non-profits in the community, that has helped me prepare me for this role.” McKinnon has not criticized the mistakes that Mike Allen has made in the past, instead saying that “The voters will decide on that issue. I will leave it to the voters to leave their voice heard and, of course, everyone is human. People make mistakes and the voters will decide.”