rookie photos of alberta mlas retiring in 2012.
11 Comments on rookie photos of alberta mlas retiring in 2012.
With an election expected to be held in the next few months and a new Premier setting a new tone, many long-time and not-so-long-time Members of Alberta's Legislative Assembly have decided that now is time to retire or look for greener pastures.
The nineteen MLAs not seeking re-election are former Premier Ed Stelmach, Ken Kowalski, Iris Evans, Ron Liepert, Mel Knight, Barry McFarland, Janis Tarchuk, Richard Marz, Lloyd Snelgrove, Rob Renner, Hugh MacDonald, Kevin Taft, George Groeneveld, Dave Taylor, Harry Chase, Broyce Jacobs, Ken Allred, and Art Johnston. Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Johnston were defeated in nomination contests in their constituencies.
Rumours circulating suggest that other long-time MLAs are also considering retirement, including Yvonne Fritz and Dave Hancock.
The departures are not limited to MLAs. Yesterday, Liberal Communications Director Brian Leadbetter announced that he will be leaving after a year in the position.
Some of the retiring politicians have spent a decade or more in office, so before the writ is dropped I thought it would be fun to take a look at what some of them looked like in their younger years in office.
Ed Stelmach, MLA for Vegreville-Viking (1993-2004), Fort Saskatchewan-Vegreville (2004-2012), Premier (2006-2011)
Ken Kowalski, MLA for Barrhead (1979-1993), Barrhead-Westlock (1993-2004), Barrhead-Morinville-Westlock (2004-2012)
Iris Evans, MLA for Sherwood Park (1997-2012)
Rob Renner, MLA for Medicine Hat (1993-2012)
Barry McFarland, MLA for Little Bow (1992-2012)
Kevin Taft, MLA for Edmonton-Riverview (2001-2012)
Janis Tarchuk, MLA for Banff-Cochrane (1997-2012)
Hugh MacDonald, MLA for Edmonton-Gold Bar (1997-2012)
Richard Marz, MLA for Olds-Didsbury-Three Hills (1997-2012)
Tags Art Johnston, Barry McFarland, Brian Leadbetter, Broyce Jacobs, Dave Hancock, Dave Taylor, Ed Stelmach, George Groeneveld, Harry Chase, Hugh MacDonald, Iris Evans, Janis Tarchuk, Ken Allred, Ken Kowalski, Kevin Taft, Lloyd Snelgrove, Mel Knight, Richard Marz, Ron Liepert, Yvonne Fritz
← election in edmonton-riverview heating up. → sitting out the senate election would be a missed opportunity for the liberals, ndp, alberta party.
11 replies on "rookie photos of alberta mlas retiring in 2012."
Shannon Phillipssays:
My favourite it Janis Tarchuk. Elected in 1997 with 80s hair. Retired in 2012 with, well, 90s hair.
Sue Huffsays:
Well, I'm surprised…they all look remarkably unchanged. Perhaps that's a sign of hope for those of us hoping to enter the Land of the Ledge and a bit fearful of the toll it might extract! 🙂
jerrymacgpsays:
"…The nineteen MLAs not seeking re-election are former Premier Ed Stelmach, Ken Kowalski, Iris Evans, Ron Liepert, Mel Knight, Barry McFarland, Janis Tarchuk, Richard Marz, Lloyd Snelgrove, Mel Knight, Rob Renner, Hugh MacDonald, Kevin Taft, George Groeneveld, Dave Taylor, Harry Chase, Broyce Jacobs, Ken Allred, and Art Johnston…" In what I assume is a typo, you have listed Mel Knight (PC: Grande Prairie-Smoky) twice. Does that mean there are only 18 retiring, or is there a 19th you did not list?
Patsays:
Regardless of a persons political stripe I think all of these folks deserve a huge vote of appreication for their service to Albertans. Many of them served on municipal council's prior to entering Provincial politics and have made many sacrifices for the good of the people of Alberta. I take my hat off to all of them, some of which I have not agreed with but have the utmost repect for the time they have served.
davebertasays:
Thanks, Jerry. I listed Mel Knight twice by accident. There are 18 retiring (so far).
Bobsays:
Actually, time in the Leg (not Ledge, Sue, trust me) seems to have done wonders for Taft. What was he thinking with that serial killer mugshot and combover? And I swear Iris has made a deal with the devil…
Asays:
Is it me, or did Richar Marz actually look older in 1997 than he does now?
Carlasays:
Wow, I can only hope to look half as great at 70 as Iris does!!!
Susan Wrightsays:
Hugh MacDonald still has the best hair.
ruralgalsays:
Which are retiring? Which were given the end of a scoop shovel? Certainly cleaning house – seems like a bunch of insiders running. It is probably time for tired old guys and gals to leave, but maybe also time for some tired PC politics (running very much on the red side and very much top down) to face a stiffer oppostiion. It would make a better Party
David J. Climenhagasays:
With regard to Bob's comment, it's the glasses not the comb-over that made Kevin Taft look like a serial killer. My question is, why was he wearing frames from the 1970s in 2001? Didn't they have an optical plan at the U of A? Actually, Dr. Taft has adopted a serial killer haircut, and it's frightening to think what he'd have looked like if he'd kept the old frames. Especially since, by now, they'd need to be held together with duct tape. Sue is right that none of these guys look like they've aged much, and Iris Evans actually appears to have grown younger. How could that be? Just asking. In his young shot, Ed Stelmach merely looks like he's lost his glasses – which, if they looked like Dr. Taft's, might have been a smart move. Finally, removing the mustache was definitely a good move for Rob Renner.