comparisons of individual players and team stats. The family's free time was almost always spent at the football field, in the hockey arena or court- side at the big game. That was the normal mode of family life until Drew decided to retire from real estate and get into politics. And just like everything else in the Barnes household, in the end it was a family decision.
“I talked to my wife quite a bit before I decided to seek the nomination for the Wildrose,” he explains. “And we talked about it together and felt we could handle it together. She thinks quite similar in terms of small “c” conservatism, fiscal conservatism, independence and independent values.”
So two years ago the Barnes family found a new common interest to discuss at the dinner table in addition to sports: Politics. Drew says he and his sons now often spend time together discussing issues and political events either in person, or by text. Drew explains further:
“It's been really rewarding with my three sons. Matthew, the oldest, is very much into politics now. He's more of a free agent than a conservative
or liberal. He likes to go for the person running. And we've had some great discussions. Davis, my 18 year old, is similar; although maybe not as interested. Davis is wanting to do a little work for the Wildrose and learn more about our thinking. And even Blake, my 13-year-old, has had a chance to talk to me about budgets and government and health care, and he's got some ideas too. And we have made it a family discussion point, a family issue.”
In many respects, the Barnes boys are typical teenagers, and sometimes find the formal speeches their father delivers in the Legislature great fodder to tease the old man.
“I showed all my speeches to my guys one night. My son Matthew bit me a bit about how often I said Mr. Speaker. They are really supportive of my move into politics, and really interested. Davis came up to the swearing-in process, and he came up to me after and what he said was: This is really cool.”
Drew smiles at the thought that his sons find his new job "cool." He's glad that the boys are a little older, and can appreciate it more, so that the whole
family can enter this new phase of their lives together.
“I think they can appreciate it now that they are a little older,” says Barnes. “Especially the older two who know and have witnessed other election campaigns. Matthew was following Ron Paul tremendously down in the States and his libertarian movement. I think that I very much want to be there for my kids, but I certainly want them to make their own decisions. That's going to take some time and some input from me, and a whole bunch of education from them and learning experience.”
Barnes says he and Frances, who is vice principal at I.F. Cox in Redcliff, both believe in the importance of young people educating themselves and making informed choices about their lives. Politics is one of those choices.
“To me, it's about being engaged and having alternatives and opportunities. The more young people are engaged, the more clear-thinking they are. Then they can take advantage of their best opportunity, the opportunity to have the greatest happiness, and the greatest choice they can succeed
Murray Chevrolet is pleased to congratulate the winner of the
Jim Smith 2012 Sales Consultant of the Year...
Dan Welten
for his customer-driven service in 2012 Dan would like to thank all his friends and customers that made this award possible.
f
We invite you to come in and
see Dan today! 1270 Trans Canada Way, Medicine Hat
403-527-1141 •
www.murraychev.ca “Our Reputation is Your Guarantee”
No appointment necessary. Open 7 days a week
901 Kingsway Avenue SE Medicine Hat 403-527-7975
www.mrlube.com OUR COMMUNITIES ■ OUR REGION ■ OUR PEOPLE | 55
Take care of your car
Take care of your warranty Our top-to-bottom maintenance
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41137802•03/26/13 41137802 03/26/13
41093743•03/26/13
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