Premier Williams announces new Cabinet appointments

Premier Danny Williams today announced the appointment of two Cabinet ministers in his administration. The premier announced that Minister John Ottenheimer, currently serving as the Minister of Education, will move into the portfolio of Health and Community Services. Mr. Tom Hedderson has been appointed as the new Minister of Education. This is Mr. Hedderson�s first appointment to Cabinet. The swearing-in ceremony took place at Government House and was presided over by Chief Justice Clyde Wells.

"I am very pleased that Minister Ottenheimer accepted my invitation to serve as Minister of Health and Community Services," said Premier Williams. "Minister Ottenheimer has been an exemplary minister in the portfolio of Education, and I am confident that he will bring great skill, knowledge and expertise to his new position. I am equally delighted to welcome Minister Hedderson into the Cabinet. Minister Hedderson has served as Parliamentary Secretary to the previous Minister of Education and, through that experience, has gained great insight into the department and the various issues facing our education system. I am certain he will be a great asset around the Cabinet table."

The premier also announced that Mr. Fabian Manning has been appointed to the position of Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education.

"Mr. Manning brings a great deal of skill and competency to this position, and I�m sure he will continue to serve the people of the province in this position with the same rigour and energy with which he serves the people of Placentia-St. Mary�s," said the premier.

The premier said the new Cabinet appointments are well positioned to move forward with implementing the agenda of the government including aggressive plans for economic growth and job creation. "We have accomplished some great things in our first eleven months in government. We have moved forward on achieving a better deal under the Atlantic Accord; we have gotten significant additional funding from the federal government for health care and equalization, and we are moving forward with a strategic and productive rural strategy which will revitalize and benefit our rural communities," added the premier. "We look forward to moving ahead as a cabinet and caucus, as we continue to implement our agenda for the future prosperity of Newfoundland and Labrador."

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Office of the Premier, (709) 729-3960 or (709) 690-5500

BACKGROUNDER

JOHN OTTENHEIMER
Member for St. John�s East

Born in St. John�s in 1953, John Ottenheimer graduated from Memorial University with Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education degrees in 1974, a Graduate Diploma in 1980, and a Masters of Education in 1986. He attended the University of Windsor, graduating with a Bachelor of Laws in 1982. He worked as a high school teacher in French and German at Holy Heart of Mary High School at St. John�s in 1974-75; as principal at St. Joseph�s Academy at Lamaline in 1976-78; and as principal at St. Stephen�s Elementary at Stephenville in 1978-79. He practised law in St. John�s beginning in 1982. He has been a lecturer in property law at Cabot College and a lecturer in Law and Education at the Faculty of Education of Memorial University of Newfoundland. Mr. Ottenheimer was elected in St. John�s East in the general elections of 1996, 1999 and 2003. He has served in the PC Caucus as the Chair of the Strategy Committee, the Chair of the PC Caucus and the critic for the portfolios of Education, Justice, Treasury Board, Mines and Energy, and Labrador and Aboriginal Affairs. He is a past Director and Fundraising Chairperson with the Newfoundland and Labrador Heart and Stroke Foundation; he served as Subcommittee Chairperson with the Law Foundation of Newfoundland and Labrador; and he has served as Honourary Chair of the Eastern Avalon Chapter of the Crohn�s and Colitis Foundation of Canada. Mr. Ottenheimer is married to Leona (King), a visual artist, of Long Harbour, Placentia Bay.

TOM HEDDERSON
Member for Harbour Main - Whitbourne

The youngest of nineteen - a family of nine brothers and ten sisters - Tom Hedderson graduated with Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Bachelor of Education (English) degrees from Memorial University of Newfoundland and a Master of Education (Psychology) from Mount Saint Vincent University in Nova Scotia. He served as principal of Bishop O�Neill Collegiate in Brigus. He is a past president of the Bay Roberts Branch of the Newfoundland and Labrador Teachers� Association, a past vice-president of the NLSH Sports Federation and a past regional director of the Newfoundland and Labrador Home and School Federation (NLHSF) Sports Federation. He has served as a coordinator of the Conception Bay North Volleyball Club, auditor of the Georgetown Recreation Committee, a member of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #65, and a member of Cabot Assembly. Elected to the House of Assembly in 1999 and 2003, Mr. Hedderson has served as Opposition critic for Education (Primary, Elementary and Secondary) and Youth Services and Post-secondary Education. He also served as the Parliamentary Assistant to the Leader of the Opposition. Mr. Hedderson and his wife, Rosemary, have two daughters: Christa Marie and Julia Anne. They reside in Georgetown.

FABIAN MANNING
Member for Placentia and St. Mary�s

Fabian Manning, the son of Walter and Julia Manning, is one of eight children who grew up in a family business and learned at an early age the challenges and responsibilities of public service. Prior to entering politics, Fabian was active in the family business and employed as a Coordinator for the Cape Shore Area Development Association. He was first elected to the House of Assembly at age 28 on May 3, 1993. He was re-elected for the District of Placentia and St. Mary�s in the February 1999 and October 2003 general elections. In November 2003, Fabian was appointed Party Whip for the new Danny Williams government. He has served as a member of the Public Accounts Committee, P.C. Caucus Strategy Committee and Opposition Critic for Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Employment and Labour, Government Services and Lands, Human Resources and Employment, and Youth Services and Post-secondary Education. Fabian has an extensive career of involvement with community groups and organizations. Such involvement includes three terms as a community councilor, member of the Parish Council, Recreation Committee, Tourism Association, Harbour Authority and Regional Economic Development Board and is still an active member of the Seniors� Housing Association. Fabian is married to Sandra (nee Dohey) of St. Bride�s where they reside with their three children, Fabian Jr., Mark and Heather.

2004 10 01                   11:50 a.m.