Talk:Richard Neufeld
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I have no knowledge of British Columbia campaign finance laws and I don’t want to appear as if I am accusing Richard Neufeld of anything, but could somebody tell me (in their own opinion or expertise) if the way Richard Neufeld used a local business for a re-election campaign rally was inappropriate.
During the last British Columbia General Election, 2005 Richard Neufeld was running for re-election and did all the usual campaign stops. However, he also held a rally at a local business in town, which coincidentally is managed (and the franchise partly owned) by his wife Montana Currie. What happened was that on the local radio stations Driving Force Car Rentals advertised its grand opening with special guests: Canadian Olympic Skaters Jamie Salé & David Pelletier and Provincial Minister of Energy and Mines Hon. Richard Neufeld. They invited the public to come to the grand opening for the usual free snacks, prizes and to meet the guests. Simultaneously, on the radio station and in a local newspaper Richard Neufeld had been advertising for a week that he would be hosting a British Columbia Liberal Party rally at 9415 100th Avenue Fort St. John (the same address as Driving Force); some of the ads mentioned just the address, and one explicitly said the rally was at Driving Force. When I walked past Driving Force that day the expected Grand Opening signs were in place, but so were BC Liberal and Richard Neufeld posters. Curious, I walked into the fenced compound and past the cars to see Richard Neufeld sitting at a table handing out pamphlets/snacks and telling people how BC was the “best place on earth” to live and that Premier Gordon Campbell had turned the province around etc. After he finished I approached one of the employees and asked who had paid for the cake and refreshments that Richard Neufeld was handing out. He informed me that the food was provided by Driving Force. I thought about saying something, but decided as my family has a business in Fort St. John that it was best not to rock the boat (the popular Richard Neufeld consistently wins large majorities of the vote). Later that week, just days before the election (May 17, 2005), I opened a local paper to see a picture of Richard Neufeld, Montana Currie, Jamie Sale and David Pelletier standing together in front of the Driving Force building.
Additionally, two years ago in at the Fort St. John Trade Fair, before Driving Force had set up shop, they had a booth to promote the fact that they were coming to town. On one day (out of three) Richard Neufeld and his wife Montana Currie were both at the booth. Richard Neufeld was wearing a large BC Liberal button while talking to passersby.
My questions are, 1) was it wrong for Richard Neufeld to use the Grand Opening event to promote his re-election, 2) was it wrong for Montana Currie to use her well-known husband to promote her business’ Grand Opening, 3) were the Olympic Skaters Sale and Pelletier endorsing Richard Neufeld, and 4) exactly who paid for the media advertising, snacks and special guest appearances?
Has Richard Neufeld broken any laws or guidelines? Should I forward a complaint to Elections BC, do I have any right to? Have I waited too long to complain?
Please note that I am biased against the BC Liberals, especially after just reading that they and Richard Neufeld are planning to sell Terasen Gas (formerly BC Gas) to an American company. --RPlunk 17:19, 3 November 2005 (UTC)
