Orge To Draw On Veiner’s Legacy, Personality In Council Bid

A born and raised Medicine Hat comedian, Kaleb Orge is seeking to become the eighth choice for residents in his bid for a seat at the council table.

“When I started out, eighth place was just a joke,” said Orge.

But with the number of candidates now running – which Orge called “bonkers” - residents should maximize their voting powers, he said.

“The number of people I talked to that say they’ve only voted for four or five people or have this idea that voting for someone other than someone who’s their first choice is a vote against their first choice – nah man, use all of your eight votes,” said Orge. “Use your whole voice so when you scream throw the bums out after two years, you can use your whole voice and not feel guilty.”

His top three priorities are to say yes to any pitch involving new housing, maximize the sale of electricity and to get council to loosen up a little.

“I want our power company to run like a power company and sell as much energy as it possibly can onto the provincial grid. That’ll help keep our utilities low, that’ll help pay off the half-billion dollars it needs in capital investments, “Orge said.

He also took issue with the idea of privatizing the city’s electricity division.

“We thought paying 30 cents a kWh was bad for one summer. If council gives that away, we’ll never get to decide that again,” he said. “I want to keep the power in Medicine Hat. I want to keep it making Medicine Hat money and I want more people to live here more affordably.”

When it comes to how this council has behaved, Orge said there was sniping, fighting and problems with the city manager.

“They didn’t have an outlet for all of the little stuff you get into,” he said. “Maybe you just need a guy to show up in a Darth Vader helmet and ask that we declare someone the emir of Ross Glen.”

Orge says he’s a comic and believes in being a bit silly at times.

But he cites long-time city mayor Harry Veiner as one of his influences along with the political stunts he would pull.

“The man did not meet an elected official he didn’t challenge to a foot race, push-up contest, you name it,” said Orge.

When it comes to transparency at city hall, Orge said there’s confidential matters pertaining to business.

And, citing a comment made by his father, Orge implied people, “want someone to take care of the problem before I know there is a problem.”

As for his skills, Orge said he will ask the hard questions when faced with information which appears light on detail.

And that’s what this election is about, voters’ decision on who will ask those tough questions.

“If you want a guy who won’t let anyone get away with dumb excuses – hi, I’m your guy,” said Orge.