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Ziad JaberCampaign

Speeches - New Releases - Backgrounder

News ReleaseFor more information contact:PR Blazekph 415 - 8080 cell 975 - 1616 fax 461 - 2719

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ziad Jaber Backgrounder

Edmonton — October 7, 1998 — The 48 year old candidate has been married to his wife Nawal for the past23 years. Together they are the proud parents of seven daughters. The family lives in the Ward 6constituency. Jaber has been actively involved in his children’s lives. While they attended Écolé FréréAntoine school Jaber participated in the Parent advisory committee which helped raise funds to supportvarious school programs and activities.

Jaber has provided for his family by operating several successful small businesses From motels to hairsalons to fast food restaurants he understands the importance and contributions of the small businesswithin the city. While operating a hair salon Jaber was also involved with the Alberta Hair DresserAssociation. As an active member of the association he advised the government on the most beneficialpolicies to set, such as qualifying guidelines and testing of future Journeyman hair dressers in Alberta.

Being involved with government has been a passion for Jaber. While on the Alberta immigration insettlement committee Jaber helped to provide the Minister of Immigration with policy recommendations.Working with Catholic Social services, the Mennonite welcome centre and other refugee centers thecommittee advised the government on the most beneficial policies to set for immigration and refugeesettlement.

As his involvement in government grew, Jaber began to serve as a commission member on the AlbertaGaming commission. Jaber found that being involved with the gaming commission was very rewarding ashe was a part of helping many charitable organizations reach their financial goals. By working hard hebecome vice-chair of the commission in early 1991 and was promoted to Chairman later that same

year. He is very proud of the work that he did as commission member, vice-chair and chairman of theAlberta Gaming commission.

Naturally the desire to serve his community in greater ways led Jaber to run for political office. Jaber ranfor Provincial MLA in the Highlands constituency in 1989 and in the Provincial Millwoods consituencyin 1997. Although not successful Jaber was determined to demonstrate to his children that if you reallywant to serve the community you never give up. He took as his example Abraham Lincoln who ran forvarious offices and was defeated 6 times before becoming President of the United States. In the fall of1998 Jaber desire to serve his community overcame his previous defeats and he announced his candidacyfor councillor in the city of Edmonton. He is currently running in the Ward 6 Civic Constituency.

Several controversial issues have come up during the Civic campaign. Because Jaber believes that a civiccouncillor should make decisions and that true leadership will stand up and be counted...even when timeare difficult; he decided to tackle these issues head on. The following is his stand on these civic “hotpotatoes.”

75th Street

“If 75th street needs to be expanded for the future growth of our city it must be supported; but I need toknow more about the ramifications to all the neighborhoods in Ward 6, from Ottewell to Millwoods,before I completely support opening 75th street to redevelopment.

Taxes

“As a future councillor my role is to provide sound policy for administration to implement andfollow. It is council’s job to set the agenda and not the administrations. Personally I am not infavor of a tax increase. I believe that we are overly taxed on all levels of government. We must becreative in our future budgeting and set priorities as we would within our own household. As a council wemust review all options available and choose the most beneficial alternative for our City and for our Ward.My position is a 0% tax increase. I think it’s a no-brainer to pick the taxpayer’s pocket without seeking asolution.”

VLT’s

“As a former chairman of the Alberta Gaming commission I understand the benefits and thepotential downfalls of gaming in Alberta. While I was the chairman, over 8000 charities inAlberta benefitted from gaming, 3000 in Edmonton alone. I believe that being involved ingaming is a personal choice and as a democratic society we have a right to choose. Gaming isa form of voluntary taxation. I am glad that the question is on the ballot because now we as acommunity can democratically choose how the issue should be decided and I will respect thewill of the people.”

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Edmontonians first.”

Epcor

“Epcor is in an extremely competitive market with the implementation of deregulation. At theright time it would be a benefit for Edmontonians to privatize Epcor; however, I don’t believethis is the right time. When the right time does come Epcor shares should be offered to

News ReleaseFor more information contact:PR BlazekPh. 415 - 8080 Cell 975 - 1616 Fax 461 - 2719,

For Immediate Release

And the waves go on...

Edmonton — September 8, 1998 — As the waves on the sea shore keep on rolling, so too does ZiadJaber’s election campaign. Jaber, a candidate for councillor in the Ward 6 constituency has been usingvarious methods to reach his constituents during this election. One method which Jaber found helps himto connect with a wide variety of Ward 6 residents is to smile, wave and say hello while his constituentsdrive by. Since September 27, Jaber has been waving to passing motorists every morning and everyevening in different locations within Ward 6.

Awakening every morning at 5:30am and on the street by 6:45am is what election campaigns are allabout, but a smiling Jaber takes it all in good stride...

“I like to see all the familiar faces every morning but I do have to admit that after waving 1000 times myarm gets a bit tired!”

Jaber is scheduled to be at the corner of 23rd avenue and 91st street this morning at 6:45 am and thisevening at 4:00pm. Following that he will be attending the all candidates forum at Austin O’Brien highschool at 7:30pm.

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Speech for Ziad JaberWard 6 forumSeptember 23rd 1998

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family and fellow candidates. With your permission Iwould like to pay tribute to our former Councilor Dick Mather. This is the first forum sinceDick passed away and I would be remiss in my responsibility as a future Councilor, by notrecognizing the contribution that this great man made in our Ward, in our city and on ourcouncil. Whoever steps into the position of counselor has some pretty big shoes to fill and Iwear a size 14!

This election is about choosing a councilor who will make decisions. Decisions that are ben-eficial for our Ward and our city. Decisions that will take our city into the 21st century.Decisions which reflect the needs and concerns of our community as a whole.

Ward 6 needs someone who is caring, capable and that can communicate with bothconstituents and fellow councilors to make the decisions of the future. Someone who willrepresent the diversity of our Ward in a consistent manner. I would consider it an honor and aprivilege to represent you and serve as your councilor for the next three years.

Our Ward is a dynamic contributor to this city. We have the Edmonton research Park, GrantMacEwan College, Grey Nuns hospital and a population that is among the most generous inthe city. I believe it has the ingredients to be the perfect model of where we should be headingin the future. But to compliment that model we need leadership that will make decisions.Leadership that will stand up and be counted. Even when times are difficult.

We have several challenges facing us as a city and as a Ward. These challenges need to befaced head on and dealt with in a decisive manner. Safety and security of our neighborhoodsis paramount. I will work with all levels of government to ensure that our neighborhoods aresafe and Looking into the future we need to find the most beneficial means of prevention andmake the decisions that will put those preventive measures in place.

Our transportation is a vital aspect of our daily lives. We have to make sure that the overallplan reflects the community needs and concerns. I will make the decisions that are mostbeneficial for our community.

Our city finances should be like our personal finances. Manageable. Our future council mustfind a better way to manage the cities finances rather than raising our taxes. As your futurecouncilor I will work with my colleagues to make that happen.

We need to take advantage of the strengths that we have to offer as a Ward and as a city.To attract new corporations and support existing ones for future generations. Corporationsthat can utilize the knowledge of our skilled workers. Our city must be forward looking andwork with companies that will take our city into the 21st century. It is not only the largecorporations that I’m talking about. The small business contributes over 70% of new jobsin our country. And isn’t that what it’s all about? Making sure people are working so theycan provide for their families. Small Business is the backbone of our economy... that mustbe encouraged and supported by our council. As your future council I will make sure thatwill happen.

City council must show leadership by making decisions... even the tough ones whennecessary. I pledge to you that I will make decisions that will benefit us now and into thefuture. I am committed to working hard and earning your trust by staying in tune with yourneeds and concerns. I will consistently represent your views and interests on council. I askyou on October 19 make me, Ziad Jaber your Councilor of choice. I am counting on yoursupport.

Being a family man provides a sincere appreciation of the needs and challenges of today’sfamily. We must develop policies that assist the family without taking away personalresponsibility and personal initiative.

Speech for Ziad JaberWard 6 forumOctober 8th, 1998

Ladies and gentlemen, friends and family and fellow candidates.

This election is about choosing a councilor who will make decisions. Decisions that are benefi-cial for our Ward and our city. Decisions that will take our city into the 21st century.Decisions which reflect the needs and concerns of our community as a whole.

Ward 6 needs someone who is caring, capable and that can communicate with bothconstituents and fellow councilors to make the decisions of the future. Someone who willrepresent the diversity of our Ward in a consistent manner. We need leadership that will standup and be counted. Even when times are difficult. I would consider it an honor and a privilegeto represent you and serve as your councilor for the future.

We have several challenges facing us as a city and as a Ward. These challenges need to befaced head on and dealt with in a decisive manner. Safety and security of our neighborhoodsis paramount. I will work with all levels of government to ensure that our neighborhoods aresafe and secure. Looking into the future we need to find the most beneficial means ofprevention and make the decisions that will put those measures in place.

Our transportation is a vital aspect of our daily lives. We have to make sure that the overalltransportation plan reflects our community needs and concerns. We need to know all theramifications to the neighborhoods before any decision for 75th street is made. Consulting andworking with community members on all issues is my priority. I can assure you that I will makethe decision that is most beneficial for our community.

As a future councillor my role is to provide sound policy to the administration. It is council’sjob to set the agenda, not the administrations. Personally I am not in favor of a tax increase. Ibelieve that we are overly taxed on all levels of government. We must set our priorities as we

With the implementation of deregulation Epcor will be in an extremely competitive market.I believe it would be beneficial for Edmontonians to consider privatization; however, I donot believe that this is the right time. Should the city decide to privatize Epcor, the citizensof Edmonton should be offered Epcor shares first!

As a former chairman of the Alberta Gaming commission I understand the benefits ofcharitable gaming in Alberta. While I was the chairman I dealt with over 8000 charities inour province who benefitted from gaming. There are over 3000 charities in our city thatdirectly benefit from gaming. I am glad that the question is on the ballot for the people todecide. The outcome of the people’s decision must be respected.

City council must show leadership by making decisions. I pledge to you that I will makedecisions that will benefit us now and into the future. I will consistently represent yourviews and interests on council. I ask for your support on October 19. Make Ziad Jaberyour Councilor of choice.

would within our own household. As a council we must review all options available andchoose the most beneficial alternative for our City. My position is no tax increase. Wedon’t need to pick the taxpayer’s pocket.

[email protected]

Dear editor,

In your September 22,1998 edition, Graham Hicks referred to Ziad Jaber as a blowhard who has run amillion times and always lost. While it is true that Mr. Jaber has not been successful in the past, what isadmirable and what makes him a leader is after each fall, he gets up, brushes himself off and tries again.Some of the world’s best leaders have lost before they have won.

Abraham Lincoln suffered defeat as a candidate for State legislature in 1832, for Congress in 1843, againfor Congress in 1844, for the senate in 1855, for Vice president in 1856 and again for the Senate in 1858before becoming President. Although Mr. Jaber is not Abraham Lincoln, I believe he has the same spirit ofdetermination and has the same decision making ability. To stand up and be counted ... even when times aredifficult.

Sincerely,

PR BlazekZiad Jaber Campaign

October 20, 1998

Dear Editor,

It is with the greatest of humility that I thank the 3,937 voters who cast a ballot for me during thisyears civic election. I am strengthened by the fact that there were others who shared my vision forthe future of Edmonton. I know it is hard to see something you believe in be defeated but Iencourage those who voted for me to press on! Ensure your future councillors make the decisionsthat need to be made by actively voicing your opinion. Consistently holding our elected officialsaccountable will allow our community needs and concerns to be heard. This will make for a betterWard 6 and a better Edmonton!

I would also like to congratulate and encourage Terry Cavanagh and Dave Thiele. I believe you willboth serve honorably. As servants to the people and holders of the public trust be wise in all yourdealings. Be not afraid to make the tough decisions when necessary. Above all else stay true toyour constituents needs and concerns, it is their interests you should always have in mind.

A final thank you to all the volunteers, friends, family and donors who supported me. It is becauseof the people around us that we succeed… and I truly feel like a success.

Ziad N. Jaber

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