The race for the Lethbridge East Liberal seat is on.
Nominees Jeff Carlson and Rob Miyashiro are two familiar faces in the community. Although a date for the Liberal constituency nomination has not yet been set, both men have thrown their names in the running.
With more than 20 years experience in professional theatre and service to both the Allied Arts Council and Economic Development Lethbridge, Carlson won a seat on city council in 2007.
“I was elected on city council to serve the people of Lethbridge and my question to them is if they want me to go forward and serve them provincially where I think I can do an excellent job of keeping their issues, their concerns, their needs on the table,” says Carlson.
With a career built around helping others, Miyashiro has knowledge of many of the intimate functions of several community services at the local level.
Miyashiro has spent the last four years as the executive director of the Lethbridge Senior Citizens Organization. Prior to 2008, he was involved with such organizations as the Rehabilitation Society of Southwestern Alberta as well as the YWCA.
“I understand how these systems work already. I’ve had a close intimate dealing with children’s services and with mental health and PDD (persons with developmental disabilities) and with seniors. Those are four sectors that, if I had to make a comment on, it wouldn’t be a big stretch for me,” he says.
Both Carlson and Miyashiro believe that Lethbridge East needs a strong Liberal candidate and are critical of Bridget Pastoor’s crossover to the PC party.
“We do need strong people up there to pose the right questions, bring power issues to the table,” says Carlson.
“Up until recently, we had that luxury here in Lethbridge with an opposition member, who could listen to us and take our opposing views up there and when that member crossed the floor, we lost that opportunity.”
The decision to move into provincial representation did not come lightly for either Carlson or Miyashiro.
With a background deeply rooted in the community, Miyashiro’s experience with the LCSO has played a critical role in his desire to represent Lethbridge East on a provincial level.
“I certainly wouldn’t have done this four years ago. But now, I’m a lot more confident in my understanding of the issues around seniors and other departments,” he says.
Carlson’s decision depended more heavily on timing.
“I thought long and hard about it,” says Carlson. “It’s always been something in my mind. Unfortunately the election dates never seemed to line up perfectly. I’m hopeful that this one will align a little better.”
The question remains as to what will happen to Carlson’s seat on city council.
“It depends on when the election is,” he says. “Apparently there is no legislation requiring you to step down during your campaign or even take a leave of absence so that’s something that will have to be considered when that happens.”
Depending on the date of the provincial election, Carlson’s seat could remain vacant until the next municipal election, or a byelection would be held to fill it.
According to the Municipal Government Act, if a seat is the only vacancy in 18 months or fewer before the next municipal election, no byelection is required. However, the act also states that one cannot occupy a seat on city council and be an MLA at the same time. Should Carson win the election, he would be required to resign, but up until such time, the choice is his.
Miyashiro says that for the Liberal party in Lethbridge East to remain strong, it will be important for the race to remain friendly.
“If we have a big fight about this nomination, where does that leave the Liberal Party in our riding?” he says.
“This isn’t us fighting each other. This is us both trying to get nomination on our own merit, not by bashing the other guy.”