Rally pumps_ resolve for united 600-plus show up, overflow crowd did By JEFF NAGEL - A RALLY here last Thursday saw hundreds of __northwestemers resolve to work together to defeat the NDP in the next election. More than 600 people packed into the R.E.M. Lee Theatre Thuss- day night for the unite-the-right ral- ly staged by the Northwest Coali- ‘tion of Dissatisfied Citizens. Turaout was substantial but prep- arations for an averflow crowd spilling into the parking lot proved unnecessary. People did come from Smithers, Kitimat and Prince Rupert to hear the NDP record in government fricd by. economist David Bond, political columnist Gordon Gibson, ex-NDP cabinet miuister Jackie Pe- ment and Mackenzie union worker Rick Berry. _ But the most impassioned speech came from local rally organizer Steve Cook. > "7 for one am nol prepared to let ‘this “band of province-wreckers continue,’? Cook declared, ‘‘This is war. We've got to fight and the only way we can fight is we have to unile.” While the speakers roasted the NDP over its budget lies, forestry job creation failures, and increasing business tax burden, Cock and others demanded Liberal leader Gordon Campbell and Reform president Bill Vander Zalm set right but an expected n't materialize aside their differences for the good of the province. “If Gordon Campbell and Bill Vander Zalm won't sit down and talk we should fire them both,’”’ Berry said. Cook noted that despite six.out of 10 British Columbians voting against them, the NDP managed to form the government in 1996 be- cause the right was split. A Reform B.C. member, Cook addressed the mixed crowd of Reformers and Liberals in the audience. ‘What is the difference between you and I that is more important than the future of our families, our communities and our province??? he demanded. Musical accompaniment was pro- vided by a 50s and 60s rock-and- roll band that belted out custom numbers like ‘“‘Takin’? Care of Business (And Gettin’ Rid of Clark).”” The surprise of the night was the appearance of Skeena MLA Hel- rout Giesbrecht and deputy premier Dan Miller, who walked into the lion’s den and took seats in the front row, The pair scoffed at some of the jabs against them, laughed at some jokes at their expense and howled at others — like one heckler who | ‘ crowd, even if the government does . yelled catcalls like ‘Marxists al- ways lie.’”” IN THE HOT SEAT: Skeena MLA Helmut Giesbrecht and deputy premier Dan Milter surprised unite-the-right rally organizers by showing up and taking front row seats. Miller at one point was booed down when he stood up and tried to tespond fo one speaker who demanded ‘Did you lie, Dan?” Giesbrecht said later some of the statistics presented were wildly off the mark. ‘Tt was a night of rhetoric and merriment,’’ the MLA said philo- sophically, ‘‘We went just to let everyone know we weren't afraid and that we were prepared. ta face the music,” “We still have time, the economy may still improve, and we’re work- ing on it,’’ he added. Giesbrecht said he isn’t expecting Many converts from the rally a better job. “T could walk on water and I probably wouldn't ect too many votes,”’ Miller also said it was important to make an appearance, “*You can’t shy away from these things,’’ he said. ‘“You ought to go aud if people want to take shots al you, you should stand there and take it,”’ “Is very clear there’s a deep concem about the economy and people’s futures,’” Miller added. “They've gone through a very tough time that creates a mood that is: unquestionably: anti- government,” ‘We have to work hard to try to address those issues.’ Run-off vote proposed to avoid splitting right RALLY ORGANIZER candidate, which would run P. signs or banners like those around for donations. Cook didn’t have the total Steve Cook’s prescription for avoiding a right-wing split in Skeena is simple. Liberals and Reformers ought to go through their normal process of nominat- ing candidates. Then they'd bold a run-off with the membership of tothconstituen¢y”-assodia#*-many-people-leaving it said ~ ms voting td'detegmine the - al united-right candidate. xEach group would then get under their party’s name. The unsuccessful candidate wouldn’t nun. “That’s just a possibility that to me makes sense,’’ Cook said. Although plenty of Reform B.C. and Liberal . organizers were at the rally, they..were no longer com mitted’ to one’ party, but would back whoever has the best chance of unseating the Neh best candidate will be the candidate we can all get behind,’’ said Lakelse Lake resident Gerry Bloomer. ‘‘It’s like the best racehorse.’’ Although a couple dozen people watched a TV monitor in the lobby and the back rows of the theatre were full, there were about 100 empty seats in the for- ward rows. Also missing were any 4. 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