Elgin, in the last election, showed a willingness to vote for an unusual candidate. Ray Monteith, who ran for the Freedom Party in Elgin in 1990, garnered 1,104 votes, the largest number for any of his nine party candidates in Ontario.
Mr. Monteith is an effusive fellow who blasts away at all three mainstream parties with equal vigour, saying none of them is doing a good job.
Despite his criticism, he is well-liked by all the other candidates in this year's election. Eye-rolling at some of his suggestions, such as increasing speed limits on highways and eliminating photo-radar, has turned into admiration for his bravado, good humour and open heart.
Mr. Monteith has been a popular figure at the nine all-candidates forums in Elgin during this election, with his personal anecdotes, straightforward talk and the sheer joy he exudes at just being part of the democratic process.
Mr. Williams said that while Mr. Monteith was critical of the mainstream parties, there was nothing mean-spirited in what he said.
He admitted he was surprised at how easy he found Mr. Monteith to take, since he could himself be an intense campaigner on the political trail.
"It's neat to take some of his statements and think them through, and see where that leads," said Mr. Williams.
"It's been excellent running with Ray," said Mr. Fitzgerald. Mr. Monteith provided some badly-needed levity at the all-candidates forums.
Mr. North said he always tried to sit beside Mr. Monteith at political meetings. "He really enjoys it," and, while Mr. Monteith was sincere about the messages he wanted to convey, "He doesn't take himself too seriously."
Mr. North credited Mr. Monteith with running what was virtually a one-man campaign, and doing so quite successfully.
Mr. Monteith, who is making his third run at MPP, said he has been pleased how audiences have accepted his words about how government was getting too big and controlled too much in the private lives of Ontario's people.
"I think I got just as much response as anyone," he said. "I'm doing quite well for a one-man band.
"It's fun. I make it fun for everyone else, even if I get carried away sometimes."
He said he was afraid that in this election, he would lose some of his traditional protest votes against mainstream parties to Mr. North, but expected to take at least as many new ones from the other candidates.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Page
last updated on April 30, 2002
