Re: Bruce Rowe's letter to the editor, page 10, Aug. 2, 2011 Mountain View GazetteAs a candidate running for the PC nomination in the Olds-Didsbury-Three-Hills riding, I found myself compelled to respond to Bruce Rowe's comments which appear not as a letter of concern about anything specific but rather an attempt to grab some attention as free partisan advertising.A PC government is looking forward to a positive future. The Wildrose alternative is all negative and lacks positive change for the betterment of the province. Do you ever hear the Wildrose leader or candidates speak about the positive changes they will bring to your community?As the next MLA for your community, I plan to represent the interests of the residents and businesses in this constituency. I will be accessible, approachable and listen to your needs.Over a 40-year period of PC government, much of which gave Albertans exactly what they were looking for (if not, why would they be re-elected?), there were undoubtedly some mistakes made. The public demanded a change in the oil and gas royalty structure. The PC government responded with a new royalty framework. The timing was poor with the world recession but adjustments were made which have improved the economic situation in Alberta today.Bruce Rowe's assertion that our government is morally corrupt sounds like pathetic federal Liberal rhetoric from the past that warned against Stephen Harper and the Conservatives as a potential evil empire led by Darth Vader. There has not been any government member involved in scandal or illegal acts. This PC government has a long record of constructive legislation but Wildrose policy disagreements have suddenly changed into charges of ëmoral corruption'. This is over-the-top nonsense.The PC caucus is made up of 32 rural landowners out of the 68 members. It's obvious that rural values and landowner rights are dear to the hearts of these members. Don't believe the Wildrose-sponsored attacks on the policies and the personal characters of our elected representatives.The Alberta Advantage has not been lost. Just compare stats on every level. Alberta has the best wages, the lowest taxes, lowest unemployment levels and the best economic environment of the country. We have a strong federal Conservative government and we need to keep a stable Conservative government here in Alberta.Now for some facts about the Wildrose Party. The Olds-Didsbury-Three-Hills constituency attracted only one person to run as its candidate. That's why Bruce Rowe was acclaimed. The PC party has one announced candidate, myself, but it appears there will be between four and 10 people vying to replace Richard Marz as the PC candidate in the next election. That means the polls are right (no pun intended!) indicating that the public will be voting in another PC government and the real choice will be within the party.Buy a PC membership and vote for the next premier of Alberta and the next PC candidate for Olds-Didsbury-Three-Hills MLA.William StevensonProgressive Conservative nomination candidate for the Olds-Didsbury-Three-Hills Consituency
