A new name has entered the political arena for the upcoming provincial election. Leslie Vidok, 59, was chosen as the Alberta Liberal MLA candidate for Sylvan Lake ñ Innisfail riding Jan. 22.
"Change needs to happen," said Vidok, a Sylvan Lake resident since 1998.
He is married and a father of two children and grandfather to three. He works as mutual funds and life insurance broker for Worlds Source Financial Management.
Vidok said he has been a PC supporter his whole life but has switched over to the Liberals partly because of his frustration with the party which he said is making poor use of taxpayers' money.
As a Sylvan Lake resident he said his concerns in the area have to do with the closure of the Hwy 781/11 intersection, something he said is a dangerous spot and an ongoing issue.
At a provincial level he has concerns with carbon capture, saying looking at coal doesn't make sense when there's so much available natural gas. He also has concerns with land assembly bills that he said are taking the rights of ownership away.
"They're putting in power lines funded by taxpayers but private companies own them. It's headed for disaster."
He said he was attracted to the Liberals because of the leader Raj Sherman who he describes as genuine and caring.
"Don't get hung up on the name. We are your representation in Parliament to the constituency," he said adding MLAs need to be able to "represent the constituency with free will without bullying from leaders of government."
"There's 87 seats in the province. We're not just in places to have a seat. We have a team of quality people in places to do something good."
Vidok is having a meet and greet Feb. 9 at the Western Chateau on Lakeshore Drive from 7 to 9 p.m.
A provincial election is expected sometime between March and May this year.
The Sylvan Lake ñ Innisfail riding includes Innisfail, Sylvan Lake, Penhold, Bowden, Springbrook, Delburne, Elnora, Spruceview and Markerville.
