Sylvan Lake councillor and business owner Kjeryn Dakin has been disqualified from challenging MLA Devin Dreeshen in the Innisfail-Sylvan Lake United Conservative party (UCP) nomination..Dakin, 36, owner of Bukwildz, Bukz and DOE(S), three Sylvan Lake beachfront restaurants, was notified Sunday that she didn’t pass the vetting process..One reason given was that a member of the Soldiers of Odin biker gang was videoed in Bukwildz in 2017..The decision upheld a recommendation to disqualify her by the Local Constituency Nomination Committee (LCNC)..The president of the constituency association (CA) is Dreeshen’s uncle Charlie Moore. At least one other relative, his cousin Lance Langevin, is a board member..“The local board put the recommendation in to not let me run. This board is made up of relatives and those looking to stay in power under Dreeshen,” Dakin told the Western Standard Monday..“In my interview I was asked ‘Will you keep the current board?’ What does that have to do with me being able to run or not? This was designed to protect their incumbent Dreeshen.” .Another reason cited was that Bukwildz was fined $1,000 by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission (AGLC) in 2015 for serving alcohol shortly after the midnight cutoff..She was also disqualified on the grounds that she held memberships for the UCP, the NDP and the Alberta Party, which she disclosed on her application.“I’m shocked. I was trying to think of what they could find on me because I’ve led such a boring life. So, I thought they’d give me a fair shot,” said Dakin, a mother of three..“It’s unjust. They’re grasping at straws. I have so many employees. I’m a town councillor. I’ve done a lot for my community, and I have a lot of support. I thought they’d see the good in that.”.Apparently not..“Following a referral from the executive director, the Party Candidate Selection Committee has met formally to consider your candidacy and rejected your application,” wrote executive director Dustin van Vugt on July 3..“Independent research that is conducted on all nomination contestants in accordance with the Party’s stringent vetting standards has prompted serious questions about your candidacy for the United Conservative Party (UCP).”.Van Vugt noted some “inaccuracies” in Dakin’s nomination contestant questionnaire..“For example, the questionnaire asked if you have ever been a partner, director, officer, of beneficial owner of a corporation which was or is charged, indicted, or convicted under any Canadian or provincial criminal or regulatory offence. You answered ‘no.’”.“However, a relatively quick search shows that you were charged and fined by the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission with selling/providing liquor on an outdoor patio during unauthorized hours.”.Van Vugt also cited the 20-second video posted to Facebook..“The Facebook page of your establishment Bukwildz posted a video of members of the anti-immigrant group the Soldiers of Odin drinking in your bar and providing bar equipment while wearing their club’s logo and uniform.”.“Any potential or actual associations with groups that advocate anti-immigrant or racist beliefs is unacceptable and harms the reputation of our party and our many members,” wrote van Vugt..“The party has repeatedly indicated that it will take appropriate action to protect ourselves and our members from serious reputation harm. The stakes for Albertans in the next election are extremely high, and we cannot risk a return of the NDP.”.In her letter of appeal, Dakin denied she lied on her application..“It asks if I have been charged, indicted, or convicted under any Canadian or provincial Criminal or regulatory offence. I was not.”.Bukwildz received an “administrative fine” from the AGLC when a staff member served alcohol shortly after the midnight cutoff. .“I was not present as I had left to pay my babysitter. The staff [member had] served and was fired.”.Bukwildz is a popular stop for “thousands and thousands” of motorcycle enthusiasts — many who wear leather, said Dakin..“Doctors, lawyers, soccer moms, and all kinds of professionals make Bukwildz a tourism stop on their motorcycle rides.”.The video with the Soldiers of Odin member was posted by an employee who has since been fired..Company policy, addressed in the hiring package, is not to allow anyone wearing gang colours on the premises. General managers ask obvious gang members to leave..“It is very dangerous for any staff to approach anyone that is in a gang and ask them to leave. We do not want to put our staff at risk.” .Meanwhile, Dakin said she held multiple party memberships to stay informed..“I was doing my research. I want to know how their party talks, how they think, what they communicate, what their issues are.”. It didn’t seem to be an issue during the interview..“The other interviewers said they have multiple memberships.”.In her appeal letter, Dakin also noted that she won Miss Congeniality in Teen Edmonton, is a Rotarian, founding president of the Rotary Club, has sat on boards since she was 22 years old, is a dedicated volunteer, and a multiple award-winner..“I had to build my restaurants up from absolutely nothing as a single mom and work my way up with no handouts or help available to me. I employ 60 people in the community and strive to help them be the best they can be.”.“I have never had anything be ‘easy’ in my life. I’m not adverse to fight for a fair chance. That’s all I’m asking for. A fair democratic chance to represent my constituency.”.She decided to seek the nomination to bring representation to the constituency..“It was across the board experiencing that we weren’t getting the support we needed from our MLA. We’d get a lot of lip service and not a lot of action.”.“I really wanted to be a fair voice for my constituency. It’s really disappointing to me that they don’t want to give a fair shot right now to, it looks like, many people who could bring a lot of value to the party.”
