Ex-Mayor wins Federal NDP nomination
by Judith Lavoie
Victoria Times Colonist - February 24, 2004, page C2 - Victoria

Waving a symbolic piece of burnt toast in front of Liberal MP David Anderson's Blanshard Street Community office, former Mayor David Turner started his federal election campaign on the offensive Monday.

"David Anderson is actually toast," said Turner, carefully fishing the tired-looking slice of toast out of the zip-lock bag and accusing the Liberal government of corruption and supporting a "pernicious" StarWars program at the behest of the U.S.

After a record turnout at Saturday's nomination meeting, the vote was too close to call and riding officials spent the weekend checking memberships to ensure all the ballots were valid.

The final count was 184 votes for Turner and 181 for Beresford.
"We knew it was really close and that's why we took our time," said nominating committee chairwoman Marianne Alto.

Some of those voting could not be found on membership lists and so their specially-marked ballots were not counted until computer records could be checked, she said.

Most of the problems were as simple as someone being registered under a slightly different name, Alto said.
"I'm sure this happens in every party," she said.

The close contest and number of ballots cast demonstrate the growing excitement about NDP potential both federally and provincially, Alto said.

"It reflects an enormous amount of anticipation, Thye NDP with (federal leader) Jack Layton and (provincial leader) Carol James has a message which is really resonating with people," she said.

Anderson is beatable in the election which is expected this spring, insisted Turner.

"People in Victoria are tired of this man," he said.

"It's over. He's had it too long. He's become arrogant and distant and aloof. He's not connected to his constituents," he said.

Environment Minister Anderson said in an interview from Ottawa that he fully intends to run in the election and welcomes Turner as his opponent in the election battle.

Meanwhile, former Conservative MP Keith Martin, who is now sitting as an Independent, was expected to be unopposed in his bid for Liberal nomination in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca Monday evening.

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