Freedom Flyer 12

By STEVE WARBURTON
Staff Reporter

The celebration lacked the flash of a big-time gala, the glitter of old-time Tory victories but for Mississauga's Freedom Party candidates breaking the 500 vote barrier was reason enough to break out this weekend's dessert.

Between bites of Sara Lee chocolate cake, Bill Frampton his party's candidate in Mississauga East and wise-cracking Chris Balabanian of Mississauga South gloried in their personal achievements.

Sitting arm-in-arm, they couldn't quite believe what they had heard.

"I'm happy. I'm pleased," said Frampton after learning that he collected slightly over 600 votes at the polls.

With almost as many votes to his credit, fellow candidate Balabanian said, "that's good but my mom didn't want me to run she wants me to give myself to Jesus."

For Freedom candidates locally, election night didn't mean win or lose. It meant getting together and hoping for the best. And according to both candidates, the result was better than they could have hoped. In Balabanian's case, the spoiler role was his as his margin of votes made the difference beween a MacKay - Lassonde victory and a Marland win.

Watching the early returns on television, the candidates found disappointment though facing situations unfamiliar to the mainstream groups. For instance, they learned quickly that the TV coverage is reserved for the big three and that a call to the returning office every half-hour was more bound to bring joy.

Consisting of just three people sitting in the living room of Frampton's east-end apartment, including Frampton's wife and his fellow candidate, Balabanian, the celebration was loose and easy.

"I was hoping to be the right Honourable Chris Balabanian by eight o'clock tonight," joked the south Mississauga businessman, "but I'm still pleased I got this many votes."

On a more serious note, Frampton said the party's repectable showing proved the party isn't just another fringe party. "We're just a major party getting started," he said. "We are a creditable alternative."