Heading to the House

Receiving 70.61 per cent of the votes cast in Lewisporte District was enough to give Progressive Conservative candidate Wade Verge a clear victory over his competitors.

Once the polls closed on Oct. 9 and the ballots tabulated, Mr. Verge received 2,260 votes with Liberal Candidate Jack Martin receiving 647 (17.18 per cent) and New Democrat candidate Garry Vatcher receiving 460 (12.21 per cent) of votes in the Lewisporte District.

Mr. Verge said hearing his name declared as winner of the election for the Lewisporte District was very exciting.

"In a lot of ways it's a milestone reached that I have strived for for a lot of years," said Mr. Verge. "We worked hard to get a significant majority."

Mr. Verge said they felt confident that they would win the seat, noting that Premier Danny Williams and his team were riding so high in the polls and had already captured the confidence of the public.

"We felt that we would win because we were on the right side, but receiving the majority vote like we did gave us a real sense of accomplishment," said the newly elected MHA. "We take it as a great vote of confidence not only for the provincial team but for the local team."

Mr. Verge said his victory would not have been possible without the support he received from his wife Maxine and their family.

"I have a lot of appreciation as well for George Tiller, Norm Austin, Les Watton, Trevor Tetford and Peter Bursey," said Mr. Verge. "Also, this couldn't have been done without fundraisers Don Manuel and Rex Freake as well as all the financial supporters, poll captions, inside agents and the voters."

Mr. Verge said it is his intentions to work hard for the people of Lewisporte District.

"I feel like I have the weight of the District on my shoulders," said Mr. Verge. "I feel like the people have put me here to represent them. I fully intend to be in the District and be accessible in representing the people very well."

Mr. Verge said he will be maintaining a constituency office in Lewisporte, if at all possible in the same location that his predecessor Tom Rideout had his office.

"Judy Hewer will remain as the (constituency) assistant and people with concerns should call the office at 535-2131," said Mr. Verge.

Mr. Verge is scheduled to be in St. John's Oct. 16 for orientation and direction from the House of Assembly.

"I have met a lot of people during the last month of the campaign," he said. "Many people are doing well but there are still some great individual needs out there. I will honestly, fairly and strongly represent each and every issue that comes to our attention."

The Pilot had requested interviews with Mr. Martin and Mr. Vatcher to discuss the election results but as of deadline neither gentleman had responded.