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Whitby Free Press, 24 Sep 1975, p. 1

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Vol. 5. No. 38 Wednesday, September 24, 1975 Ten Cents Godfrey wins Durham .West by Jim Quail Staff Writer Campaign workers and excited followers of Dr. Charles Godfrey were busy miHing about the tally boards on the west wall of the United Auto Workers Hall in Ajax on a rainy Thursday night. The night was special of course because it was election night for Ontario but more importantly it was the moment of truth when Charles Godfrey found out if the people in Durham West were behind him in his stand against a new international airport in north Pickering or whether they supported Des Newman and his stand for the airport. Scarcely an hour after the polls close,1 at 8 p.m. God- frey got his answer. He took an early lead and as each poll came in the score became more impressive - the Pickering doctor was beating the supermayor from Whitby. Somewhere in between was the former Police Chief of Whitby, Bill Pilkington, try- ing to get votes from any- body and running a close third. By 9:30 it became clear that Godfrey might win and the canpaign workers in the U.A.W. hall could scarcely believe it. It was what they had hoped for ail along but even with most of the polls in and the indication that Godfrey was winning it was as if his supporters were just a little afraid to accept the decision that Godfrey would win - afraid in case some- thing happened to dash their hopes. Des Newman, former may- or of Whitby, decided for them. Just after 9:30 p.m. Des Newman walked into the U.A.W. hall in Ajax and with- Durham West Liberal candidate congratulates successful evidemt. Progressive Conservative candidate BillPilkington, New Democratic Party candidate Dr. Charles Godfrey who finished third, looks on at ight. after the results of Thursday's proviicial election were Free Press Photo by Jim Quail. out being told why you knew he was there to admit defeat. N.D.P. supporters went wild at the sight of him. They eagerly crowded around to give him the raspberry as he pushed towards the stage and an historic announement. The crowd finally quieted and Des, lips pursed in ten- sion, admitted defeat and congratulated Godfrey for winning and the voters for picking the man they obvi- ously wanted in power as the polls had indicated. Newman said he had enjoyed the cam- paign because ail three can- didates had gotten right down to the important issues. He felt Godfrey had waged a lively campaign and remarked that it was his opinion the voters in this area were pro- bably the best informed in Ontario as to how their can- didates stood on all key issues. And suddenly there it was, an upset that put Charles Godfrey into power and Des Newman out of a political job. As Newman was finish- ing his remarks Bill Pilking- ton was making his way to- wards the stage and the wait- ing Charles Godfrey. As Newman had done scarcely ten minutes ago Pilkington warmly shook Godfrey's hand and offered his congrat- ulations. Newman accepted a glass of "refreshment" and stepped aside while Godfrey came back to the mike and apologized to Newman for the few catcalls explaining that his supporters were somewhat excited in that the N.D.P. had finally become legitimate. Legitimate they were and few people allowed themselves to believe at this point that the N.D.P. would get enough votes to become the official opposition party. Godfrey introduced an- other "important" visitor and explained that tis visitor would not take as long to say his thing as had Des Newman. Des took the barb good naturedly and up stepped Bill Pilkington, looking more relaxed and obviously taking the defeat less personal than Newman. Pilkington also remarked how well the campaign had gone and said he now looked forward to watching Godfrey at work in his new position. He echoed the sentiments of many in the Union Hall last Thursday night who are anxious to see if Godfrey can stop the airport from his new platform. Because the votes were cast for the man and not the issue we'll probably never know how many were cast against the airport rather than for Godfrey. One thing for sure, there are a lot more people in this area who don't want the airport than Des Newman would have had us believe as the Whitby polls will show by their results. Airport or not, Godfrey won fair and square and the ball, or rather airport is now in the backyard of his con- stituents. It could be a long and lively winter. Look out Queen's Park and Parliament Hill, Dr. Charles Godfrey now has the power and the people! The big question is how successfully can he use them?. LIBERAL SECOND TORY IS THIRD The New Democratic Party made sweeping gains throughout the province in Thursday's election. One of those was in the new riding of Durham West, composed of Whitby, Ajax and part of Pick- ering. NDP candidate Charles Godfrey defeated Liber- al hopeful Des Newman and Conservative candid- ate Bill Pilkington. In photos at left and right, Des Newman and Bill Pilkington address their supporters after the out- come of the election was evident. Free press photos by Mike Burgess and Robin Lyon. See page 2. GRAND JURY CRITICIZES COURT HOUSE ......... page 3 COUNCI L HARASSING BUSINESSMAN ........ page 4, BIRDS EYE VI EW ............................ page 5 BROOKLIN BYLINES ...................... page 6 GARDENING .................................... page 9 SPORTS .................... ......................... page 10 WORDS FROM WEST LYNDE .......... page 12 WARRIORSWARMINGUP ............... page 16

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