The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday August 18, 2006 - 7 Targeting Turner part of Canada-wide campaign Christian leader wants to oust MPs who favour same-sex marriage By Melanie Hennessey SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER Defend Marriage Coalition head Charles McVety has admitted that his group is encouraging another candidate to run against Halton MP Garth Turner. McVety ­ who is also the president of the Canada Christian College and the Canada Family Action Coalition - also acknowledged that the coalition has promised to try to overthrow MPs who favour same-sex marriage. "That is our focus, but in this situation, it's almost impossible," he said, pointing to the short time frame -- about one week -- that candidates have been given to come forward for the nomination contest. Earlier this week Turner claimed members of local and national religious groups opposed to same-sex marriage are organizing in an attempt to defeat him in the upcoming Conservative riding nomination contest. He said some of his supporters and a member of the Halton Conservative riding association were contacted by phone regarding a meeting being held Tuesday night in Milton to review his candidacy. According to Turner, the callers -- who identified themselves as being with the Conservative Party of Canada -- also expressed concern with his position on same-sex marriage. Turner alleges that the group is affiliated with local churches and the Defend Marriage Coalition. He also said he believes one person the group is working with as a potential candidate is D'Arcy Keene, who Turner defeated during the last nomination contest. McVety ­ who said the group has in fact been encouraging Keene to run against Turner - called the MP's allegations "a global conspiracy theory" that's been blown out of proportion. "He appears to have some entitlement focus, and anyone who dares to challenge him is breaching his entitlement," McVety said. He also said he thinks Turner is distorting the coalition's general campaign to encourage grassroots people to get involved in the candidate selection process. Keene said he isn't a candidate at this point, but it's something he's not ruling out. "I've recently been approached by groups of peo- Halton MP Garth Turner ple about contesting Garth," he confirmed. He added that the individuals he talked to are long-time Conservative supporters and "some are people of faith." "(Their concern) gets back to party loyalty, and I have to agree that I'd like to see a nominee who's more loyal to the party and its leader," Keene said. He added that he does support reopening the same-sex marriage issue -- something Prime Minister Stephen Harper said he would do prior to being elected. "It's important for a party to follow through," he said, but pointed out that he's not a "single-issue guy." Keene confirmed that he was the person who booked the hall to hold a meeting Tuesday night, which he said was held to discuss the reopening of the same-sex marriage debate, why Turner decided not to support it and what could be done to bring the issue to the floor. Turner and his associates attended the meeting, but it was cut short and moved to Keene's house. Also in attendance at the session was Rondo Thomas, vice-president and dean of bible studies at the Canada Christian College -- something Turner highlighted on his daily Web blog. In an interview, Thomas said he was simply there to answer any questions Keene may have had since he ran previously as a Conservative candidate. A nomination meeting to select the Halton Conservative candidate for the next federal election will be held Sept. 11 at the Lion's Hall in Campbellville at 7:30 p.m. Anyone who wants to challenge Turner for the nomination is required to come forward by Sunday, which is also the last day for new party members to sign up. Candidates must post a monetary deposit, garner support from 25 local Conservatives and have been party members for at least six months. Then, whoever receives the largest number of votes from those in attendance Sept. 11 will be deemed the nominated candidate. More information and candidacy packages are available from the Halton Conservative riding association's board of directors. Contact details are available at www.haltoncpc.ca, along with information on becoming a party member. Wrong half The editorial in the Oakville Beaver, Wednesday, Aug. 16 edition -- Half a park is better than none -- incorrectly stated that an OMB hearing on theformer Shell house property would give the Town the western half of the property. The ruling gives the Town the eastern half of the property. The Oakville Beaver regrets the error and apologizes for any inconvenience it may have caused. Director & Teacher - Laura Dacyshyn, former dancer with The National Ballet of Canada "Masonry & Fireplace Design Specialists" Ballet · Jazz · Hip Hop Tap · Adult & Teen Classes Recreational & Competitive Divisions Reface your old fireplace Don't forget to get that old chimney repaired. Aug. 28, 29, 30, 31 & Sept. 5, 6, 7 4pm - 8pm Aug. 26 & Sept. 2 12 noon - 5pm For more information please call OPEN HOUSE & REGISTRATION We can help with our "IN HOUSE" experts · mason · gas fitters · electricians · cabinet makers 905-815-9239 447 Speers Rd. #5, Oakville, L6K 3S7 or visit our website at: 406 Speers Rd., Oakville(across from Rona Lansing) 905-337-2066 VISIT THE SPECIALISTS TO SEE THE DIFFERENCE www.cobblestonembers.ca allegrodance.ca