Niagara Falls PC candidate George Lepp talks about jobs during a press conference during the 2011 provincial election. Bullet News file photo by John Robbins.
PETER CONRADI/Bullet News
NIAGARA FALLS – George Lepp still believes he was the best candidate in the last provincial election. He thought he’d be the best candidate this time, too. Then Bart Maves threw his hat into the ring and the picture changed.
Saying he is motivated to bring “the best possible results to (this riding)” Lepp Thursday withdrew from the race for the Progressive Conservative nomination in Niagara Falls.
The Niagara-on-the-Lake farmer and businessman, who nearly unseated Niagara Falls Liberal MPP Kim Craitor in the 2011 election, has thrown his support behind former Niagara Falls MPP Bart Maves.
Maves served in the Legislature from 1995 to 2003. He was defeated in 2003 and again in 2007 by Craitor.
Lepp carried the party’s banner in 2011, finishing second behind Craitor by about 500 votes.
Lepp’s withdrawal means the race for the PC nomination in Niagara Falls this time around has three declared candidates – Maves, Niagara Reg. Coun. Barb Greenwood and John Wiens, owner of the Niagara-on-the-Lake Golf Club.
“Niagara Falls is suffering and its suffering because of the type of representation that we have at Queen’s Park,” Lepp said. “We have someone who is very accomplished here. When Bart ran he brought about legislation for appropriate VQ regulations.
“He was largely influential in bringing about Big Becky. He was influential in keeping the Fort Erie Race Track open and in keeping businesses in Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake and Niagara Falls open, and in bringing us a casino. He’s respected on both sides of the house.
“Things have changed and that’s why today I am withdrawing my name from the nomination for the riding. I intend to support Bart in his run”
Maves, Wiens and Lepp were together Thursday morning for a meeting when the media. Greenwood did not attend. Wiens confirmed he is staying in the race.
“I know what it takes to make business work — to make ends meet. I’ve not been in politics before. Sometimes it’s good to step back and look at fresh faces.”
Wiens, 57, and his family have deep roots in Niagara-on-the-Lake. They once owned the Prince of Wales Hotel and the Riverbend Inn.
The Niagara Falls Tories will select their candidate Jan. 23 at the Americana hotel in advance of what many predict will be a spring election.
Maves, 47, will be emphasizing his government experience, both as an MPP and his current role as a regional councillor.
“I will hit the ground running. There’s no learning curve for me.”
Niagara Falls Provincial Riding Association president Rainer Hummel confirmed all three have to be vetted by the RCMP and OPP before they can be officially considered candidates.
The Niagara Falls Conservatives last held a nomination meeting in March 2011.
That meeting attracted more than 1,000 delegates, one of the largest party gatherings in the province. At that time Lepp outdistanced former Fort Erie Coun. Sandy Annunziata and Arlene White.
The Niagara Falls riding includes Fort Erie and Niagara-on-the-Lake. It’s considered bellweather riding, having elected candidates from the party that forms the government in every election dating back to the 1980s.
The NDP have yet to select a candidate in the Niagara Falls riding. The party was represented in the last election by lawyer and former Fort Erie Mayor Wayne Redekop.
7 Comments on "UPDATED: George Lepp pulls out of the race for PC nomination in Niagara Falls, throws support behind Maves"
Good News!!
I get a little tired of people who run for local and regional councillors pledging to work hard for their communities (yada yada yada) when their real agenda is to use the council seat as a stepping stone to “higher and better” offices.
It seems a little obvious that Lepp was talked out of running. Perhaps he was promised something? Perhaps Maves is scared of Wiens and his cash?
At least we don’t have to deal with Lepp posting any more inappropriate photos!
I don’t know about Greenwood – but Maves definately used his pursuasive powers to get elected to Regional Council and use that as an excuse
Lepp is right about about Niagara suffering but it has less to do with it’s representation in Queens Park and has more to do with lack of real vision for the future locally and regionally. Sure maybe Maves had something to do with building a new tunnel to old generating stations that have not significantly increased production from retrofits because you can only increase efficiency so much when you don’t have a an increase in water height. But what would have been nice if capacity of the tunnels would have been increased to eliminate the hydro canal so it could be filled partially and turned into an express way from north to south through the city from Stanley Ave for truck and car traffic providing an alternate route for trucks crossing the Queenston bridge and cars from the lower bridge. It could then be ties into routes to Welland and Chippawa providing better traffic flow from the south as well. Material from the new tunnels could have been stored as it has been and then used to fill in the old canal eliminating that water from the Welland River from going directly into the Niagara River through the city. Doing this would also compensate for some of the draw above the Falls during the day. It would also reduce pollution into the river from Cytec Niagara plant if there is any leakage from the property which will be checked when the canal is drained and rehabed after the tunnel is flowing. It would also reduce auto mobile emissions by providing a quicker flow north and south through Niagara Falls. It could have been built in stages to allow for budgeting. I suggested the traffic to and from the lower bridge be brought across the Cyteck property at a public meeting and was told it couldn’t be done because of buried pollution yet there is now the Bob Gale complex there. Niagara will always be backwards burning up tax dollars rebuilding intersections and putting in curbs.
What a set up. And Maves is a has-been!
I really think Bart and Barbara have been the only real two candidates running for this nomination. Bart had had his time. Wether or not he did a good job as MPP in the past doesn’t discount the act that he’s lost against Kim Craitor in two elections. Barbara has won each election and has built relationships in Fort Erie and NOTL. I truly believe that Barbara can win the election against Kim – she’s a positive person who has built bridges. Not burned them. Good luck to all! I’m sure this will be an interesting race for the local riding association!!