Ready to Work

Criticism is an inherent factor in any political endeavour. There are people that will oppose anything that a candidate or a party does or suggests just for the sake of being critical, in the hope of somehow damaging the image of the candidate or the party in question.



During this campaign the criticism has been particularly pointed, yet also very empty. Criticism for its own sake is not particularly useful, it only reflects badly on the critic, and it indicates that they are more interested in attacking the work of others than doing any real work themselves.



If I am elected on Tuesday, I won't be one of those who is leaping forward with empty criticism and personal attacks at every opportunity. I am much more interested in being part of the solution than part of the problem, so I will be hard at work on your behalf from Day 1.



And if you need proof of that, look no further than my record at City Hall. I'm campaigning based on my record of hard work, and if elected, I will continue those efforts at a provincial level.

Still lots to do

This election process has been an eye-opener for me. I am honoured by the support I have received, both personally and as a member of the Williams PC Team, and I have taken note of the critique and suggestions given to me as I meet the constituents of the District of Mount Pearl North.



While a lot of work has been done so far, the next eight days are crucial for this campaign. Some people seem to feel that anyone running for the PC Party can simply coast into a seat in the House of Assembly next week, but I am not taking anything for granted. While I am part of the PC Team, I would not want to be elected simply on the basis of the Premier's popularity. I want to be elected because the people of Mount Pearl North believe in me and in how hard I am willing to work for them.



That's why the next week will be as busy as, or busier than, the last few weeks have been. I will continue to knock on doors, attend functions, put up signs, distribute flyers, and give the people of Mount Pearl North my full attention for every second of the campaign period.



And, then, with your help on election day, I will continue to give this District my full attention for the next four years.



And, speaking of work, there is still plenty for volunteers to do -- at headquarters and door to door. P lease call my HQ (745-5368) if you have some time to spare!

Less Talk, More Action

As I have been talking to residents of Mount Pearl North these last few nights I have been hearing something that makes me especially proud to be part of the Danny Williams Team. People are telling me that for many years they have been hearing a lot of politicians TALK about making changes and about improving things... but Danny Williams and his PC Team have been DOING something. They are getting things done, moving this province forward and making a real difference in the lives of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians.

For the people I was talking to, the greatest evidence of the improvements since Danny Williams was elected, was the fact that families are moving back to this province. The economic changes that the PC policies have encouraged have created jobs and opportunities for people who moved away to come back and work at home.

For me, that is proof of progress. And I want to work with the Williams Team until no one is forced to leave this province for work, and people can stay with their families and still afford the lives they want to live.

Of course, meaningful change takes time. There are still many families in recent years who have been forced to leave the province in search of work. But I am encouraged that there are also families coming home to pursue opportunities here. I believe we are headed in the right direction.

It's all about vision, clear goals, and a great plan. The PC Team has all of those things, and I know I can help the Premier and his team make them come to pass.

Campaign Headquarters open!

Thank you to everyone who came out to HQ on Sunday night, it was a great office warming!

My office in Pearl Place on Commonwealth Avenue is really the hub of my campaign work. Obviously it is the place where my literature is sorted and divided for distribution, where phone calls are made a received, and where constituents can bring their questions and concerns, and where volunteers can come to learn how then can help.

But it is also much more than that.

With any team, it is important to have a gathering place, a place where the members can meet and get to know each other and really feel the bonds that bring them together. For members of my team, that gathering place is my campaign office. That's where people can drop in, have a cup of coffee, discuss plans, meet other volunteers, and talk with me.

While I am one person running for office, I could not do that without the support of my team, and being in my campaign headquarters reminds me that while I may be the public face of this group, there are a lot of people supporting me in concrete, practical ways every day. I am honoured by their support.

And I am honoured by the support and encouragement of the community at large as well. While I know all the members of my campaign team, I may only get a few minutes to talk to members of the larger team - the District of Mount Pearl North - but I feel that we are all working together to keep the communities of Paradise and Mount Pearl strong and progressive.

We have a winning team. Let's keep it that way!

Weekend update

Just a quick note today.... we've spent the week preparing for our launch. Signs have started to appear, and our headquarters is ready to open on Sunday evening. The Kent Xpress newsletter will hit the streets next week, too. The race is on!

I spent part of the afternoon visiting with residents of Masonic Park. We had a barbeque with members of Council and our MHAs. It was an excellent opportunity to chat with the residents about issues of concern to older adults in our communities. I was thrilled with the warm reception I received, and I always enjoy my regular visits to the Masonic Park community.

Please feel free to join us at HQ between 6 and 10 pm on Sunday evening! Have a great weekend!

Five weeks to go...

Now that Labour Day weekend is over, I'm officially back on the campaign trail. The summer went far too fast!

I've got my campaign vehicle done, my pamphlets and the Kent Xpress is going to print and my signs have started to appear around the district. And of course, I will continue to knock on doors and talk to residents of Mount Pearl North until election day.

This is a great time for me and for my campaign, as all the various plans my team has been working on start coming to life, and the momentum starts to build.

This race promises to be an exciting one, I look forward to seeing everyone on the campaign trail!

Please consider joining our team. Get in touch with me at steve@stevekent.ca.

Thank you!

Thanks to the voters of Mount Pearl North for your support.

I am proud to be your PC candidate for the provincial election in October.

It was a good race. My opponent, Keith Cassell, ran a strong, well organized campaign which challenged us to stay ahead, and stay focused.

I really appreciate the dedication and hard work of my volunteer team - without your support, I could have accomplished the goal of being the candidate for Mount Pearl North.

I especially appreciate the efforts of my campaign co-chairs, Janet Browne and Paul Lane, who coordinated the efforts of the volunteers, monitored voter reactions, and kept us moving forward every day.

Now that we have cleared this first hurdle, things will be low-key for a little while as we create a strategy for the second part of the campaign.

I believe strongly in the policies and the approach of the Williams team. And I believe Danny Williams and his PC government will lead Newfoundland and Labrador to claim the prosperity we deserve. I am glad to be part of that team and I look forward to representing the interests of Mount Pearl North in the provincial legislature.

Now let's get set for October!

Make it count!

For the candidates, a nomination race feels very much like an election. We post signs, make up flyers, knock on doors, and ask for support. This is particularly true in Mount Pearl North right now!

For constituents, it feels very different. Sure, while I am at your door, it may feel like election time but once I am gone, you don't necessarily hear a lot about the race itself. And come Tuesday, if no one in your office, at the supermarket or at school happens to be in your district, you may not think about voting.

Or you may assume that so many other have gone to vote, that it won't matter if you do.

But it does matter.

Every single vote is vital to the candidates.

It is just as important that you vote on Tuesday as it will be when you vote in October. You are making the choice about who will represent the Progressive Conservative Party in Mount Pearl North in October, and you need to choose wisely. If you don't vote, it is kind of like saying that you are not concerned about who represents you. You will be letting others choose your candidate for you.

Make your own choice. Cast your vote.

Your opinion counts.

See you at the Park Place on Tuesday!

For further information see Voting Information in the menu on the left.

So it begins

That noise you hear is the sound of a well-oiled machine gearing up...


My campaign is officially underway!

The date of the nomination meeting has yet to be announced, but my campaign team is already hard at work.


Here are some highlights:

• My signs are made, and they are popping up throughout the district - look for one in an intersection near you.
  
• My website goes live on Saturday and I'm updating this blog whenever I have news.
  
• You'll soon be hearing the friendly voices of my phone poll volunteers asking for your support.
  
• Watch for my flyers this weekend in Elizabeth Park.
  
• My door-to-door visits started last night, and I look forward to meeting you and hearing about your needs and concerns for the District of Mount Pearl North.

I'm excited about this race for the nomination, and I look forward to the challenges of the campaign. It's never boring, and believe or not, there's an element of fun!