Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein seriously ill in Calgary
bootlegga @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:28 am
Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein seriously ill in Calgary seniors’ facility
$1:
CALGARY — Former Alberta premier Ralph Klein is seriously ill in the Calgary seniors’ facility that has been his home since 2011.
Klein, who led Alberta from 1992 to 2006, has been suffering from frontal lobe dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
He was hospitalized in September 2011 and moved into a continuing care facility in October of that year.
Rod Love, the former chief of staff to Klein who has served as a spokesman for the family, declined to comment on the 70-year-old’s condition.
“He’s resting comfortably. I was up there this morning, I can’t go into any more detail than that,” Love said.
“When there’s something to say or any updates, we’ll have something to say.”
Calgary businessman Ross Glen, a longtime friend of Klein, visits the former premier monthly and saw him about a week ago.
“He’s not in very good shape as it is,” Glen said. “It’s hard to see him like that because he’s such a good guy.”
Klein was at times a controversial figure. He oversaw sweeping changes to the province, notably the elimination of Alberta’s debt and deficit. He had a remarkable string of success in electoral politics, leading the Progressive Conservatives to four majority-government victories.
Klein was named an officer of the Order of Canada last year, with his wife, Colleen, presented the insignia of office in an unprecedented ceremony in Calgary.
Marisa Etmanski, Klein’s former press secretary and longtime friend, said the former premier is resting comfortably and there are no plans to move him to a hospital.
“I know he is not well, and his condition, of course, is progressing,” she said.
Etmanski said she has warm memories of her last visit with him.
“He recognized me and smiled and held my hand,” she said.
“What I would say is he is doing the best he can and is as comfortable as he can be.”
Klein, who led Alberta from 1992 to 2006, has been suffering from frontal lobe dementia and chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder.
He was hospitalized in September 2011 and moved into a continuing care facility in October of that year.
Rod Love, the former chief of staff to Klein who has served as a spokesman for the family, declined to comment on the 70-year-old’s condition.
“He’s resting comfortably. I was up there this morning, I can’t go into any more detail than that,” Love said.
“When there’s something to say or any updates, we’ll have something to say.”
Calgary businessman Ross Glen, a longtime friend of Klein, visits the former premier monthly and saw him about a week ago.
“He’s not in very good shape as it is,” Glen said. “It’s hard to see him like that because he’s such a good guy.”
Klein was at times a controversial figure. He oversaw sweeping changes to the province, notably the elimination of Alberta’s debt and deficit. He had a remarkable string of success in electoral politics, leading the Progressive Conservatives to four majority-government victories.
Klein was named an officer of the Order of Canada last year, with his wife, Colleen, presented the insignia of office in an unprecedented ceremony in Calgary.
Marisa Etmanski, Klein’s former press secretary and longtime friend, said the former premier is resting comfortably and there are no plans to move him to a hospital.
“I know he is not well, and his condition, of course, is progressing,” she said.
Etmanski said she has warm memories of her last visit with him.
“He recognized me and smiled and held my hand,” she said.
“What I would say is he is doing the best he can and is as comfortable as he can be.”
http://news.nationalpost.com/2013/03/20 ... -facility/
I may not have cared for his politics and many of the decisions he made as Premier, but I would never wish anyone ill simply because I don't see eye-to-eye with their politics.
Anyone willing to devote their life to public service deserves a fair shake.
DrCaleb @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:33 am
bootlegga bootlegga:
I may not have cared for his politics and many of the decisions he made as Premier, but I would never wish anyone ill simply because I don't see eye-to-eye with their politics.
Anyone willing to devote their life to public service deserves a fair shake.
Anyone willing to devote their life to public service deserves a fair shake.
Indeed. Not a good way for the man to leave us.
andyt @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:41 am
He's had a fair shake. We all die.
Public_Domain @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:05 pm
raydan @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:17 pm
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, guess the chain smoking got him before his liver. 
Zipperfish @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:55 pm
Wonder who's going to "pop the cork" this time?--a rather nasty new tradition here at CKA.
Public_Domain @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 12:58 pm
Zipperfish @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 1:50 pm
Public_Domain Public_Domain:
Pop the cork? You mean celebrate?
How many here actually have a bad view of Ralph Klein? (I mean, i do, but that's a given)
He's pretty popular here. I wouldn't imagine (but won't make any bets) that people would say anything stupid this time around.
How many here actually have a bad view of Ralph Klein? (I mean, i do, but that's a given)
He's pretty popular here. I wouldn't imagine (but won't make any bets) that people would say anything stupid this time around.
Yeah, don't know why I even brought it up. Must be grumpy today.
I hope Ralph gets well or pulls out from the dock nice and easy.
QBC @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:12 pm
raydan raydan:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, guess the chain smoking got him before his liver.
I would have thought his illness would have been from living in Calgary.......
jj2424 @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:23 pm
QBC QBC:
raydan raydan:
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, guess the chain smoking got him before his liver.
I would have thought his illness would have been from living in Calgary.......
15 years in Edmontchuck...I'm surprised he lasted this long.
I'm sure all the unions in Alberta will pop the cork. The Alberta Federation of Labour will probably run an ad celebrating.
Lemmy @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:26 pm
That`s a fucking disgusting comment, asshole.
jj2424 @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:38 pm
Lemmy Lemmy:
That`s a fucking disgusting comment, asshole.
Talking to me dick head
Brenda @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 8:40 pm
Dementia is awful. I wish it on no one.
Don't know the man or his politics, but wishing him ill says more about the people who do, than of Mr. Klein (or his politics).
Zipperfish @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:27 pm
Lemmy Lemmy:
That`s a fucking disgusting comment, asshole.
Pretty sure that's the only kind of comment he has. He's very angry.
Public_Domain @ Wed Mar 20, 2013 11:54 pm