Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - June 22, 2004, Winnipeg, Manitoba By Patti Edgar w Winnipeg a chief returning officer is predicting the Best civic election turnout in 12 years As residents head to the polls today to pick a new mayor and two new councillors ? As Well As an la and two school trustees. There Are 397,000 eligible voters in Winnipeg and returning officer Richard Kachur has gone from predicting a poor turnout of As Low As a third of voters to seeing 58.9 per cent of voters at the polls. That would be the Best turnout since 1992 when Susan Thompson beat out Greg Selinger for mayor. If that transpires we will say the democratic process was duly served said Kachur. His prediction is based on a Strong turnout at the Advance polls which he credits to an unpredictable race with enough big names to generate excitement. Voters will face Cool and Windy weather today with a High Chance of showers. The forecast was for a High of Only 14 c. Continued please see big a2 where and when to vote b3 first private astronaut rockets into space history the White Knight aircraft above carries spaceship one on its Maiden voyage into space from an Airport at Mojave Calif., yesterday. Mike Melvill below soars 100.1 Kilometres above the planet before returning his vessel safely to Earth right. Its one giant step toward out of this world tourism by John Antczak Mojave Calif. ? a rocket plane soared above Earth a atmosphere yesterday in the first privately financed manned spaceflight then glided Back to Earth for an a powered Landing. Spaceship one Pilot Mike Melvill 63, was aiming to Fly 100 Kilometres above Earth a sur face and he just exceeded that goal reaching 100.1 Kilometres according to radar data. The ship touched Down at Mojave Airport to applause and cheers at 10 15 . Cd about 90 minutes after it was carried aloft Slung under the belly of the Jet powered White Knight. Continued please see rocket a4 Martin mum on minority government would to speculate even though polls Sug totals that add up to no Clear Winner. Refuses to speculate Gest neither the liberals nor conservatives As the incumbent prime minister Martin will win a majority government ? and As could attempt to hold onto office and Wheeling and dealing for support in a demonstrate he still has the Confidence of minority increased yesterday. The commons even if the liberals elect on his future As pm i just think i am not going to speculate fewer maps than the conservatives. On it Martin said in a Telephone interview throughout his six months As prime min during a Campaign Stop in Thunder Bay ister Martin has talked about the need to Ottawa ? Paul Martin refused yester adding i understand Why you might ask Deal with the so called democratic deficit Day to say whether he would cling to the that on parliament Hill and the importance of Job of prime minister if the conservatives Martins silence on what May be a key engaging voters. Won More seats than the liberals in the question after the ballots Are counted continued june 28 vote. Reflects the potential minefield when Par please see Martin a4 Martin told the free press last night he Liam entry convention runs up against seat by Paul Samyn editorial nip hand weakens a14 ;