Wednesday November 29, 2000 THE OAKVILLE BEAVER A3 " PC Rick Byers * pleased with his issues-oriented effort By H o w a rd M ozel OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Photo by Riziero Vertolli Victorious Liberal candidate Bonnie Brown shares a laugh with NDP candidate Willie Lambert Monday night. Lambert, who has run both provincially and federally for the NDP said it was his last campaign. Willie Lambert calls it quits NDP candidate in last campaign B y R od J e rre d OAKVILLE BEAVER STAFF Willie Lambert's third federal election campaign for the NDP in Oakville, was also his last. Monday night, after conceding victory to his Liberal opponent Bonnie Brown at Le Dome Banquet Hall, Lambert told the Oakville Beaver he would not be running in any more elections. Lambert who has represented the NDP in three federal and one provincial election in Oakville admitted it was tough running a socialist campaign in an affluent commu nity. "I've lost three times (federal elections) in a row now in Oakville," he said. "It's difficult to do our best." Still Lambert, a former president of the Oakville & District Labour Council and current president of CAW Local 1256 representing Oakville Transit workers, was proud of his accomplishments in the election campaigns. "I've been able to take the fangs and claws out of the right wing in this town," he said. "That's my consolation prize." When Lambert's presence at Brown's victory party was announced, he was greeted by a loud round of applause from Liberal supporters. At an all-candidates meeting, Brown complimented Lambert by calling him one of the best-informed candi dates she's ever seen. Halton PC candidate Tom Kilmer says he'll be running again Despite a third place finish Monday night, Halton riding PC candidate Tom Kilmer is pleased with how his party fared in the election. "I'm very proud of what we did," said Kilmer, 52 of Georgetown, who added the party got off to a late start in Halton. "I felt I was an excellent candidate." Kilmer, who awaited results with several sup porters at his Milton campaign office, said he proved "the PC party is alive and well. "I'm proud I stopped the Alliance from getting their tentacles into Ontario." Kilmer, who owns Kilmer Environmental in Mississauga with his wife Pam, said going into the campaign, he felt he had a chance to win. He believes in the final days of the campaign voters however were horrified by the prospect a Canadian Alliance candidate may get elected in the riding so they voted strategically and sup ported the Liberals to ensure that didn't occur. "I heard (while campaigning) that we want to vote for you, we just can't take a chance." Kilmer said he was thrilled PC party leader Joe Clark won his seat and at press time believed the PCs would achieve party status. Kilmer, the father of three children, said he plans to run again in the next federal election. Although he placed third in Monday's federal election, Oakville Progressive Conservative candidate Rick Byers says he can hold his head high after running a clean, issue-ori ented campaign. Byers - who finished behind Liberal winner Bonnie Brown and Canadian Alliance contender Dan Ferrone - said his party's effort was first class all the way, from leader Joe Clark right through to his sign work ers. "We have to be happy with the campaign we ran," said Byers, who watched the returns at his Randall Street headquarters with family, friends and election staff. When the first local poll reported, it showed Brown ahead with 119 votes, followed by Ferrone with 64 and Byers with 60. That near-tie for second place soon widened, however, and it quickly became apparent that Byers would end the evening in third. At 10:25 p.m. the CBC announced a Liberal majority. "I'm surprised by their strength," said Byers. "I think Canadians seem to be comfortable with a strong economy and Paul Martin in the passenger seat." In preparing to head off to LeDome to congratulate Brown, Byers said she has a "real challenge in front of her to represent the people of Oakville." "You can't argue with democracy. She holds the confidence of the Oakville voters," said Byers. "I'll remind her I ran a positive, straight forward campaign, and that we'll be watching." Earlier in the day, Byers' campaign manager Rick Frame said local Tories were "optimistic but realistic" about Monday night's outcome. Then Byers was bolstered before the polls closed by a phone call from Clark. "He said to me 'I 'm looking for ward to serving with you,' " said Byers. Although that won't happen, both Byers and Frame felt Clark acquitted himself with dignity throughout what, in some quarters, was a nasty cam- CanackfY V o te s > . The 2 0 0 0 < F e d e ra l E le c n lfi paign. "We felt that Joe was under-valued going in but he rose in people's minds," said Frame. "And we were committed to the high road, no mudslinging." Byers explained that, placing only 8% to 10% at the start of the cam paign, attracting workers was a chal lenge for the riding association's core executive. Admittedly an unknown, Byers said he was up against three higher profile candidates in Brown, Ferrone and the NDP's Willie Lambert. "We came from a long way back without much visibility but we got the message out and we are very proud of what we did, he said. Byers' strength picked up, he con tinued, after the national leaders' debate in which Clark did well. The three local debates also helped, he added, particularly the first one which was re-run on cable several times. "We really had great momentum here after the debates," said Byers, who said it was very important that the Tories have maintained official party status and are represented in several provinces. In addition to door-knocking, Byers' tactics included everything from pressing the flesh at area GO sta tions to standing on a street comer with a placard. "We wanted to show people the Tories are alive and kicking in a big way," said Frame. Byers says he wants to catch his breath first before even thinking about running again in the future. In the meantime, however, he said he plans to become more involved in the Oakville community - especially in light of all the great people he met while out campaigning. Photo by Riziero Vertolli Photo by Graham Paine Halton PC candidate (C) Tom Kilmer is flanked by wife (R) Pam and son (L) Glenn as they watch election results Monday night. Oakville Progressive Conservative candidate Rick Byers and his wife Margot were greeted warmly by Liberal Bonnie Brown when the two came to congratulate Brown on her win. Gun licencing help on Saturday Firearms owners who want infor mation and assistance in filling out their firearms licence application forms are invited to attend a firearms licence assistance session on Sat. Dec. 2nd from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Oakville Rod and Gun Club premises, 36 Upper Middle Road East. Across Canada, many firearms owners have questions about the requirements under the law and how to fill out the form. With the licensing deadline around the comer, the Rod and Gun Club is providing one-stop service at the local level to assist firearms owners in filling out the licensing form and to answer ques tions from the public. Under the Firearms Act, all firearms owners must obtain a licence by the end of this year. As of January 1, 2001, a valid licence will also be required to purchase ammu nition. The firearms licence assis tance will be done by trained staff from the Halton Regional Police Service, who will answer questions, assist applicants in filling out the form, and take their photo for their licence. This will help people comply with the law and cut down errors. The fewer errors there are, the quick er the processing time will be -people will get their licences faster this way. The cost is $10 if people act before the end of the year. After that, the fee increases to $60. Christmas Craft Sale and Oakville African Violet Show Saturday, D ecem ber 2 from 10 a.m. - 4 p.m . F in d th e p e r f e c t g ift a n d see th e v e ry b e s t in v io le ts . J o in u s fo r o u r a n n u a l C h r is tm a s C r a f t a n d G if t S ale. A s a n a d d e d tr e a t, T h e O a k v ille A fric a n V io le t S o c ie ty w ill p r e s e n t a ju r i e d s h o w a n d sale o f th e v e ry b e s t in v io le ts . M e r r y C h r is tm a s to all. For more information call Diane or Eileen at 844-4000. T fie Kensington 25 L a k e s h o r e R oad W est, O a k v il l e R e tir eme LIFESTY LE mmuniti es A Subsidiary of London L ife/Grbat W est Life Ask about o u r o th er locations in O akville, B urlington, N o rth York, Mississauga, Forest H ill and T h o rn h ill.