Posted on 10/18/2006 8:41:57 AM PDT by GMMAC
She's back
Former London mayor Dianne Haskett will seek the federal
Conservative nomination in London-North-Centre.
London Free Press
October 18, 2006
By DEBORA VAN BRENK AND PATRICK MALONEY AND JOE MATYAS, FREE PRESS REPORTERS
Former London mayor Dianne Haskett will announce today she's seeking the federal Conservative nomination in London-North-Centre.
Supporters were trying to keep the news under wraps until a reception for her today, but the buzz about her candidacy was so strong yesterday that it was confirmed last night.
Door's open: Former London mayor Dianne Haskett
emerges from a meeting at her former law firm
yesterday. Haskett was back in town yesterday
meeting with friends and advisers about the
possibility of her return to politics.
She decided to seek the Tory nomination in London-
North-Centre. (Dave Chidley The London Free Press)
"The phone has been ringing off the hook from people offering to help," said Ted Wernham, a former London city councillor who said he will be lending a helping hand.
Dale Mackness, another member of Haskett's team, sent an e-mail to the media last night confirming the the 5 p.m. reception at the Polish Hall at 554 Hill St. will be an opportunity for Haskett "to greet old and new friends and to share with them her hope to be considered" for the nomination.
The federal riding of London-North-Centre was recently vacated by Liberal Joe Fontana when he decided to run for mayor in the municipal election.
Haskett arrived in London yesterday for meetings and attended a Mission Services of London dinner last night.
"This opportunity just came up in the last three days after a round of telephone conversations," she said, declining to be more specific. "It's good to be back in London."
A nomination meeting quickly called for Oct. 24 fuelled speculation Prime Minister Stephen Harper could call the byelection as early as Monday.
Haskett visited her old law office on Fullarton Street yesterday and looked relaxed and confident.
"I'm here to talk to friends and advisers," she said.
About 40 minutes later, she emerged from the Menear Worrad and Associates law building, retrieved a satchel from a white Cadillac with Washington, D.C., licence plates and returned inside.
"I'll be able to tell you more (today)," she said again.
On Monday, the riding association president set the nomination date for Oct. 24 -- a sign a hurry-up byelection call may be in the offing.
The Tory nomination in the riding already has one contender: Londoner Tom Weihmayr, who has served on the riding executive. He said he was pleased by the possibility of competing with Haskett.
"Whenever there's more than one option, the people of London-North-Centre would win," he said. "It would be a challenge, of course, but whenever there's a choice, it's good for the people of London."
Despite the former mayor's local political experience, Weihmayr said he wouldn't be intimidated by Haskett.
"She has a long history in London, (but) she hasn't been in the city for a number of years," he said.
Haskett, 51, has spent the last six years working in and around Washington, D.C., largely as a policy adviser and speech writer.
Haskett -- who prided herself on methodical, long-term planning as mayor -- as much as predicted this step in 2000, when she left London.
She told The Free Press she expected to return in about five years and her life would "include political leadership in the federal arena."
In other municipal and federal elections -- with rumours Fontana might be relinquishing his federal seat -- Haskett's name arose often.
She was at the same time one of London's most popular and unpopular mayors.
Haskett was adored and vilified during her two terms as mayor, but even in the most tempestuous moments, which included a slap from the Ontario human rights tribunal in which she and the city were fined $5,000 for her refusal to issue a Gay Pride proclamation, she won re-election by a two-to-one margin over her nearest rival.
DIANNE HASKETT
Age: 51
Background: Born and raised in London; practised law with firm Haskett Menear and Associates in downtown London
Family: Husband Jacek (Jack), graphic designer; daughter Annie
Local politics: London mayor, 1994-2000; board of control, 1991-1994
Claims to fame while mayor: Kick-started $100 million in downtown renewal, including new Central Library, new Covent Garden Market, John Labatt Centre. During her tenure, London Economic Development Corp. began; two years of municipal tax freezes
Controversy: Was head of fractious council and at the centre of an Ontario Human Rights Commission complaint when she refused to make a Gay Pride proclamation in 1995. She and City of London were fined $5,000. In protest, Haskett withdrew from campaigning for the last two weeks of 1997 election run, which she nevertheless won by a 2-1 margin.
Where she's been and what she's been doing since leaving London:
- Volunteer adviser to U.S. Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole
- Has worked with two D.C.-area law firms and specialized in business, immigration and estate- planning work.
- Passed the Washington, D.C., bar exam in 2005
- Is a member of the board of trustees for the International Center for Religion and Diplomacy in Washington, D.C.
Quotes:
"I have a sense that in my future I'm meant to continue in political leadership and that this period of time, presumably about five years, is a hiatus period. I feel led to a life in the future which I feel will include political leadership in the federal arena." -- Haskett Oct. 19, 2000, as her family leaves for Washington D.C. area.
"I'm here to talk to friends and advisers to consider the nomination for London-North-Centre and I will be making my decision known (today)." -- Haskett yesterday in London.
PING!
yitbos
Good luck to her!
You know the Liberals will try to paint her as too "American" after her 6 years in Washington. DO you think that will give the Liberals a tiny bit of traction, or do you think it will simply paint the Liberals as just doing more of the same, tired Liberal distraction tactics?
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." -Manuel II Paleologus
Amazing candidate, amazing opportunity. What a great day, this combined with Barf Turner's expulsion...
LOL - nothing much that the Lieberals do these days seems to have much effect. CO
I've always associated London with strong conservative orientation. I was very surprised they elected someone from the Liberla party. Any idea why the Liberal Fontana won that seat?
O'Brien should consider returning to politics...and seek the CPC nomination in London-Fanshawe...
MAYOR OF LONDON REFUSES TO BOW TO HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSIONMayor Diane Haskett of London, Ontario, refused to declare a Gay Pride Day in her city in 1995. A local homosexual association laid the usual complaint against her with the Ontario Human Rights Commission Tribunal, which found her, as usual, guilty of discrimination against homosexuals. It ordered the City of London to pay $10,000 plus interest (the maximum) to the local Homophile Association, as well as proclaim a Gay Pride Day if requested in future. The city was also ordered to issue a statement of recognition to the homosexual, lesbian and bisexual committees that they are an integral part of the city, and city officials were required to meet with the Homophile Association to promote good relations.
The City Council, led by the Deputy Mayor, Grant Hopcroft, who is an enthusiastic supporter of the Gay Pride Day, refused to allow an appeal of the case to the courts because the Council claimed that the homosexual association had been hurt and humiliated by Mrs. Haskett's actions. Ironically, the final day to appeal was on Monday, November 10th, the date of the municipal election in Ontario, in which Mrs. Haskett was seeking re-election as mayor.
However, in this case, something unusual occurred. Mayor Diane Haskett refused to bow to the Human Rights Tribunal decision. A devout Christian and a lawyer, Mrs. Haskett placed a paid ad in the London Free Press on October 22, 1997, in which she stated that she believed this Human Rights case was unfairly decided and wrong in fact and law. She stated the Commission's decision takes away fundamental freedoms that are meant to be protected by our constitution. She went on to assert her right as a Canadian to freedom of expression and she stated:
I will not bow down to the ruling of the Human Rights Commission and I am willing to bear any consequences of that. I will not offer any proclamations, either presently, or in the future. In fact, let me make it clear that I intend to cease from making any proclamations of any kind hereafter.Her decision to go on a leave of absence just before the election was quite a shock! Many columnists in the London Free Press attacked her for her failure to do her duty as Mayor. Other columnists such as Rory Leishman, however, did a splendid job of defending Ms. Haskett.As to the fine that the Human Rights Commission has imposed of $10,000 against me and the City, I want to contribute my share. I am going to be commencing, immediately, a three-week unpaid leave of absence and ask that the monies saved by the City be designated for this purpose.
During this time, I will be withdrawing from public life and the Deputy Mayor will step in as Acting Mayor. The Deputy Mayor and the Council will be free to carry out their decision of last evening without it in any way compromising me. You will see me on election day and I will re-commence my duties the following morning, hopefully with a continued mandate.
Haskett's resolve not to bend to the offensive ruling of the Human Rights Commission -- is there any other kind of ruling by such Commissions? -- appeared, however, to have the full approval of the voters. On election day, Mayor Haskett won a landslide victory over her opponent. This vote also indicated how little respect the voters had for the decision of the Human Rights Tribunal.
Pinging you to some good news.
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