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For small hand-tool kitchen tools, there are a few that ‘Now’ columnist Chef Dez simply cannot (or, more accurately, would rather not) live without. 14
TODAY
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2010
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❚POLITICS/Surrey mayor says ‘no’ to Liberal leadership bid
WATTS STAYS. SURREY REACTS IN QUOTES “
She’s staying? Oh, good! She’s our mayor and she’s doing a good job.” – Karen Wilson
“
She could have ended up another Kim Campbell or another Rita Johnston. On Saturday, you’re elected leader – premier – and on Monday you’ve got a caucus in chaos that may not be thrilled to see you because you’re an outsider.” – Penny Priddy
“
She was never going to run. It was never in the cards. She’s got a nice gig in Surrey.” – Bruce Ralston
“
She’s a big fish in a small pond. Provincial politics is a much bigger pond than Surrey.” – Robert Gilbert
SURREY – The sigh of relief COLLEY was almost audible in Surrey when Ted Staff Reporter Mayor Dianne Watts announced Sunday she will not seek the leadership of the provincial Liberals. The Liberal government is on the ropes and Premier Gordon Campbell has thrown in the towel after taking a beating over the hugely unpopular HST. Earlier this month, Campbell announced he will resign his place as leader of the party and premier, triggering speculation about who might replace him. Watts has been high on the list of potential candidates, but she took herself out of the race Sunday, citing family obligations, her desire to finish the job in Surrey and the vicious nature of B.C. politics as her reasons. While there was plenty of public support for Watts taking a run at the premiership, the general consensus seems to be that her decision was a wise one. “She’s staying? Oh, good!” exclaimed Surrey resident Karen Wilson. “She’s our mayor and she’s doing a good job.” Wilson was shopping at Central City, the combined mall, university campus and office building that is the cornerstone of a new downtown Surrey well under way in Whalley. Wilson said she thought Watts could have won the party leadership, but thought it was better that she stay in Surrey to finish the job. A flood of messages left on Watts’ Facebook page echoed Wilson’s view. A former provincial NDP cabinet minister, federal NDP MP and Surrey councillor, Penny Priddy knows
THURSDAY Surrey Mayor Dianne Watts says her job in Surrey isn’t done.
all about the demands of public life and the cut and thrust of politics. She’s glad Watts is staying put, too. “She could have ended up another Kim Campbell or another Rita Johnston. On Saturday, you’re elected leader – premier – and on Monday you’ve got a caucus in chaos that may not be thrilled to see you because you’re an outsider.” Watts has profile in Surrey and has done a lot to improve life in the city, Priddy said. She should stick with it and leave provincial politics for others, at least for now, Priddy believes. Priddy also believes Watts when she says her family played a big part in the decision not to run. “I know it’s seen as a weak reason, but the odd time it actually turns out to be true. In any conversation I’ve ever had with the mayor, that’s been a priority.” Whalley MLA and NDP finance critic, Bruce Ralston, said he wasn’t surprised Watts is staying put. “She was never going to run. It was never in the cards. She’s got a nice gig in Surrey.” Ralston said Watts has almost no opposition on council and wouldn’t fare well in heated, and often acrimonious, debate in the legislature. “I just don’t think that temperamentally, she’s ready,” he said. “On the occasions when I’ve criticized her, she hasn’t responded all that well. I just don’t think she’s up to the give and take of provincial politics.” Resident Robert Gilbert also dismissed Watts as a serious candidate for the province’s top job. “She’s a big fish in a small pond. Provincial politics is a much bigger pond than Surrey.” tcolley@thenownewspaper.com
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