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P>AGE 2Q.WlL)'NI:SDi)AVMARCII 4, 191 . WiITBY FREF. PRESS No local issues ....a Leadership only election issue, Tory's Ashe says According to the incum- bent MPP for Durham West, there are no local issues in the upcoming provincial election - and there is realiy oniy one issue at stake, at ail. "In fact, it means that ail- mn-ail, things are pretty good here in Durham West," Ashe said. "They're not the best of times but they're not the worst of times either. " "lIt means that when we George Ashe George Ashe, who has been the Progressive Con- servative MPP for this area since' 1977 said that he doesn't see anything wrong with the lack of issues. compare ourseives to other provinces, other nations, other communities we 're near the top," hý continued, "That's sort of a nice feeling." SPECIAL, 1 ALL TV a 1 SERVICE5 I CALLS WITHI ITHISAD ONLY7 FALCON TV 426 Sîmcoe St. S. 723-0011 Guarante. on cil parts ond service. niÀie was criticai 0f his opponents for trying to "stir their political pots" to bring issues Up. "So far, ail they've done is left a bitter taste in a lot of mouths," he claimed. "The way they talk about Ontario is incredible. It's almost as if they don't like us." The 48-year old former mayor of Pickering also said that the only issue in the election at ail is leadership. "'There's no doubt in my mind that there is only one true issue in this election. That is leadership," he sa id. "Stuart Smith (leader of the Liberal Party) says that if he loses, he'll leave politics. We certainiy don't need a quitter leading Ontario." Ashe was also critical of New Democratic Party leader Michael Cassidy saying that he "Just hasn't f iiied the shoes of Stephen Lewis. " However, he had nothing but ringing praise for Tory leader Premier Bill Davis. "Bill Davis has the leadership qualities, the ex- perience, the stature and the personality," Ashe said, "The others don't corne close and recent surveys reaffirmn what was always in the back of our minds - that Bill Davis is synonomous with leadership." "He has the confidence and the ability to lead this great province of ours." The incumbent also defended his candidacy saying that Durham West voters will fare better with a member on the government sîde of the house. "I've always feit that it is beneficial to a riding to have a member who sits on the side of the government," he said. "It gives you more of a stake in what is happening." Ashe also lashed out at his opponents for not being long- time residents of the riding. ('I've mentioned it before and it bears mentioning that the two main opposition par- ties have had to parachute their candidates into >Durham West," he claimed. "They have not been here more than a year. It's ob- vious that they're desperate for a political future. But how can they honestly say that they understand Durham West." "Even if there was a loc~al issue, how could they really feel it? How could they know it? " G;rant griven choosing. BARRY L. EVANS, B A LL B Barrister & Solicitor WISHES TO ANNOUNCE THAT EFFECTIVE MARCH 1. 1981 HE WILL CONTINUE THE PRACTICE OF LAW AS A SOLE PRACTITIONER. WITH OFFICES AT SUITE 204. LANG TOWER WHITBY MALL 1615 DUNDAS STREET EAST WHITBY. ONTARIO LiN 2L1 Telephone (416) 433-1200 1