The Stel Salaried
Pensioners Organization wishes to thank The Hamilton Spectator for permission
to post the following article by Reporter Meredith Macleod published in the May
5, 2004 edition
|
May. 5, 2004. 12:35 AM |
|
NDP-friendly crowd goes after
Liberal Ralph Agostino |
|
By Meredith Macleod |
|
Liberal candidate and family legacy flagbearer Ralph Agostino got a rough ride last night as Hamilton East voters got their first chance to test candidates in the May 13 byelection. Agostino worked hard to chip away at NDP motivations for seeking the seat so determinedly, he was pursued relentlessly by his opponents and the audience on the Liberal government's brief record in office. Describing herself as an "arrogant government's worst nightmare," NDP candidate Andrea Horwath said the riding won't be served well by "another quiet Liberal backbencher who will do nothing but make excuses for broken promises." While Agostino was anything but quiet during the debate at Cathedral High School, he at times seemed ill at ease and had difficulty answering questions about the Liberal government's stand on Stelco and health care funding. A number of times he said he isn't a member of government, so couldn't answer a question. "I don't want to discuss it because I don't have all the details," Agostino replied to a query about LCBO privatization. When pressed for his own opinion, Agostino said he is against privatization. Undoubtedly feeling under fire from the Horwath-friendly crowd, Agostino charged the NDP cares about Hamilton East only because a win would secure it official party status and the $1.3 million in taxpayer funding that goes with it. Conservative candidate Tara Crugnale said voters would be better served by electing a Tory since the party "will form the government in 3 1/2 years." Agostino, brother of the late Dominic Agostino, said voters need to elect a Liberal who "can get more done sitting at the table where decisions are being made rather than a backbencher with third party status." Crugnale didn't let that pass. "Are you saying that backbenchers can't make a difference? Dominic was the ultimate fighter for Hamilton East in opposition. God broke the mould when He made Dominic." mmacleod@thespec.com 905-526-3408 |