Dr. King is back for his second run at political office

Its official!

The nomination declaration everyone suspected came Friday, as Dr. Darin King made his intention known to seek election for the PCs in the District of Grand Bank. The provincial general election is scheduled Oct. 9 this year and with Mr. Kings nomination the PCs have 41 of 48 candidates in place.

Mr. King just missed election in 2003 to incumbent Liberal MHA Judy Foote by just 43 votes. Mrs. Foote has decided not to seek re-election but instead is looking for the nomination as the federal Liberal candidate in Random-Burin-St. Georges.

Mr. King is the CEO/Director of Education for the Eastern School Board. He and his wife, Colleen, have two children 13-year-old Mitchell and nine-year-old Kate.

Why make a second try at provincial politics now with a successful career blooming for just a few years?

Ive always had an interest in it. The opportunity is there again and from my perspective I think I have a contribution to make perhaps to the greater good of the province, outside of education specifically.

The timing is good for us the family, after we talked it through with the family very supportive; its an opportunity to move forward to contribute at a bigger policy decision level and to re-engage the constituents in Grand Bank District which is my home.

ISSUES

The issues, which come to the forefront in the district for Mr. King, are what he called generic, relating to health care, employment, education, municipal infrastructure and the fishery.

Health care continues to be number one on most peoples lists, and weve had some really good announcements last week (confirmation of the Grand Bank Health Centre and improvements to the Blue Crest Home).

Employment is on a par with health care at this stage, with good things and bad things happening. In St. Lawrence there was good news last week with the NeWind project, as there is at the fish plant. On the other side of the district (with the Fortune fish plant), its just a travesty at this point in time with so many lives in limbo.

Mr. King said one of his priorities would be to try to get the Fortune plant reopened, to help people affected by the closure from Garnish to Lords Cove and Lawn.

He insisted as a career educator, education would remain a priority for him to hold the school board to its commitments for rural education and students.

ANNOUNCEMENT TIMING

Granted the nomination call was a decision of the provincial PC party, Mr. King insisted the main reason he entered the political arena now was at this point in time its more about me and my family and what works for us.

In Grand Bank District alone, the PC government has highlighted major health care and energy announcements, while making a long list of other funding support announcements around the province.

Mr. King noted the timing of his own announcement also had to take into account his employer, and it was important I find an appropriate time where there could be a transition with the school board.

Eastern School Board Chair Milton Peach announced Friday on behalf of the Board of Trustees Mr. King had been granted a leave of absence until Oct. 9, to allow him an opportunity to become a candidate in the

upcoming provincial election.

Mr. King admitted it was difficult not to be caught up in the positive announcements the provincial government is making throughout the summer.

The acclaimed candidate immediately arrived in the district on the weekend, following his announcement Friday to start his campaign for the general election. As yet, he has no announced opponent from either the Liberal or NDP parties.

His efforts will be aimed at persuading the electorate of his abilities.

In a press release he indicated with my education qualification and work and community volunteer experiences, I believe I have the necessary skills and ability to provide strong representation for this district as an MHA and as a member of the Progressive Conservative government under Danny Williams leadership.