Re: Randy Hillier

Jun 12, 2014

I read with some amusement Randy Hillier's characterization of himself as the “best advocate” of his constituents (Candidates Primer for 2014 Provincial Election in LFL&A). In particular, he states: "When someone needs assistance and all they receive from a ministry or government department is a form letter, it doesn't help them. I do things much, much differently."

Years ago when the people of Mountain Grove and Arden were fighting the essential battle to maintain the Land of Lakes School, I invited Mr. Hillier to attend and speak at an important public meeting. I was told Mr. Hillier had another commitment. I'm sure that Mr. Hillier's other commitment was important, and it was good to see that others did come to our school's defence, with excellent speeches at the meeting by Mayor Janet Gutowski, Councilor Guntensperger, Logan Murray, Terry Kennedy, and many, many other people.

We were also encouraged to write letters, and I wrote one to Liberal Education Minister Leona Dombrowski, asking that in this instance she vary the formula that dictated the school closure. I'm told that at least one member of the Limestone School Board did the same. In the end Leona Dombrowski did make an exception and the school was saved.

About the same time I received a sympathetic e-mail from Mr. Hillier's office manager lamenting the unfairness of the system that required the school to be closed.

In retrospect, I'm sure the fact that Mr. Hillier did not speak in our school's defence must have made it much easier for Leona Dombrowski to make the exception. All this leads me to conclude that Mr. Hillier, our politician who doesn't like politicians, may be just a little bit worse than useless.

David Daski