When you surround youorself with snakes your likely to get bitten

[JD4ME]

Sat, January 13, 2007

Access-for-cash idea faces probeUPDATED: 2007-01-13 01:40:49 MST


By CP


EDMONTON -- The Government of Alberta is facing its second ethics investigation since Premier Ed Stelmach was sworn into office a month ago.

Yesterday, ethics commissioner Don Hamilton confirmed he will probe two now-cancelled Conservative fundraisers that offered exclusive access to Stelmach, Finance Minister Lyle Oberg and Health Minister Dave Hancock in exchange for $5,000.

Stelmach called off the events, which had been designed to erase the trio's leadership campaign debts, and acknowledged they had "a perception I'm not happy with."

He announced he would take full responsibility, explaining he hadn't given the plan enough attention, but pointed out the events had been arranged by volunteers who weren't "fully aware of the way I personally do business."

NDP Leader Brian Mason still urged an investigation, suggesting "privileged access to senior members of the Conservative cabinet" in exchange for money fell outside ordinary and regulated political fundraising.

The other ethics investigation will look into an offer by former solicitor general Harvey Cenaiko to make the premier's son, Terry Stelmach, an acting sergeant within the provincial sheriff's office, where the son was serving as a traffic constable.

The premier blocked the proposed move, fearing a poor perception.


Liberal critic Bruce Miller urged the ethics commissioner to consider whether Cenaiko was abusing his powers in an attempt to curry favour with Stelmach, who at the time was choosing his cabinet.

Cenaiko has insisted he was only interested in moving Terry Stelmach out of the public eye, and the premier has defended the now-backbencher's actions.

[JD4ME]

I have one word for this OBERG

[coppertop]

I think that Ceniako was likely angling for a cabinet post but he certainly went about it the wrong way.

I think the opposition is trying to make brownie points with the public and have something to harp about when the legislature commences sitting. I think Ed handled the situation well, on both counts. It will be interesting to see the opposition uses these issues for fodder for the by-elections.It would also be interesting to learn how the opposition raises funds for their election campaigns.

[kpb]

There is a huge difference between offering individual audiences with the premier for a certain sum of money and paying off election debts with fund-raising dinners. The Klein premier's dinners were also very different in that money raised went to the coffers of our party, not to pay off debts incurred by specific candidates running for the leadership.

If you cannot see how it is different to offer an individual audience with the premier for a specific sum of money to general fund-raising then you are part of the problem. What would I get from the premier or his three musketeers if I paid $50,000 to pay off their collective leadership debts?

kpb

[JD4ME]

Exactly, Stelmach ran on an accountability and open government platform and we now know what it means, open wallet then door to government opens.
And Coppertop he knew about it he just didn't think about it, his own words not mine and if the media hadn't caught on he would have went right ahead with it. Instead of going on vacation he should have gone to work, and as for me when I want to build something or do something a get the money first and stick to a budget I pay my bills I don't ask for help.

Oberg will stick a knife in his back every chance he gets. This is just the start.

Stelmach will get the baseball rule from me 3 strikes and he's out. He's just used one ball and one strike on 2 pitches early in the first inning.

[JD4ME]

And I agree completely with the previous post big difference between fundraising and influence peddling dear, if you want the later and you think thats ok I'm sure there's plenty of central american countries to go live in. To say big business and the general public doesn't lobby the hell out of decision makers would be naive on my part but this idea was plain DUMB and whoever thought it up better be sitting this game out. Because thats the type of moves that cost governments power. Take off the Rose coloured glasses from time to time Coppertop.

[cowman]

Say it ain't so Eddy!
So many people bought into the "honest ED" scenario...were they duped by just another PC liar?
I actually hope this isn't the case.

[coppertop]

If you bother to refer to another post you will see that I indicated that I felt it was a very stupid idea. The inference that I would agree with selling time with the premier for a donation isn't accurate and I have never given any indication that I agree with such methods.

Campaign funds are generated by various ways, if organizers want to hold a $500 a plate dinner to pay off campaign funds, and people wish to attend then there should be nothing wrong with it, as long as anyone paying to attend realizes the proceeds are going toward compaign expenses.

[JD4ME]

Thats fine but your obvious slant towards the NE has been well documented on this site. Again he would have done it if the media wouldn't have called him on it, maybe Oberg and Hancock should order their EA's to have a bottle drive, did you catch Oberg saying his 250000 overage was just a matter of unreturned prepaid books. Thats 50000 memberships hey I've got an idea lets put him in charge of the purse strings sinces he's obviously such a fine moneyman.

[cowdog]

I think we got an Alberta version of Sask.'s Grant Devine government. I hope
those jail cells are still open.