Fluri wins Nipissing-Timiskaming NDP nomination

Ministry of Natural Resources biologist Dave Fluri will be the New Democratic Party candidate for the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding.

Thirty people were on hand Sunday at the Rorab Shriner's Club to elect Fluri, and Mother’s Day celebrations may have been responsible for the low voter turn-out.

Only 10 people cast their vote at the New Liskeard nomination meeting on Saturday.

Association member Eric Morin pointed out that members who had missed the April 9 deadline to join the party did not attend the meeting, since they could not vote.

But, Morin said, the NDP has a ground swell of support in the community for the next federal election, expected late next month.

Fluri,a 48-year-old father of two, beat out long time NDP campaign worker John Guppy.

He spoke to the audience in English and French, and addressed issues from health care to employment.

He also told the group that the NDP is a solid alternative to the Liberals and Conservatives and that it is the party to bring back those who have lost faith in the political system.

“I think there is a widespread disaffection from the political process in this land," Fluri said, "and it will be part of my job to re-energize the debate, and try to make the average person in the Nipissing-Timiskaming riding understand that they have a voice and it is my intention to represent them.”

Fluri believes he offers a new approach to politics for the riding, and that the party, under the leadership of Jack Layton, can truly grow a healthy country.

“I’m offering them a fresh perspective. I think that with Jack Layton as the leader we are a party on the move, that we have new ideas, a new energy," Fluri said.

"We want to ensure that we can build a green and prosperous economy in this country, were no one is left behind.”

The next step for Fluri will be to get the campaign off the ground, and he said he will start by putting his foot squarely on the road.

“My first focus and my only focus in this campaign will be to represent the average families in the Nipissing riding," Fluri said.

"I want to ensure that the issues that are important to them have a voice at the table, have a voice at the doorstep and have a voice at the debates. That’s the only thing I’m concerned with and that’s the only thing that will occupy me during this campaign.”

Fluri said that when it gets down to going on the attack with his competition, Liberal candidate Anthony Rota and Conservative candidate Al McDonald, the decisions will comes down to party colours.

“I think their weaknesses primarily are the parties that they represent," Fluri said.

"I think that as this campaign unfolds the voters of Nipissing-Timiskaming will realize that there’s really only one party that’s bringing a voice for positive change to this country and I’m confident that they will make the appropriate choice come election day.”