My dear Constituents in Mill Woods:

One of the core values of effective journalism is the discipline of verification.

Information should be gathered from all pertinent sources as reasonably possible to establish the veracity and credibility of the same.  Its first obligation is to pursue the truth by responsible and adequate collection and dissemination of unbiased information.  These elements appear to have been lacking in the recent reporting of these articles related to my campaign commitments to which I felt you need to hear directly from me.

As your MLA, I have a responsibility to report you about our programs and services carried out within our constituency that directly affects all of you.  I would also like to shed light and clear any misconceptions or confusions that the articles in the newspaper have created.

I am extending my invitation to all my constituents and concerned members of the Mill Woods Constituency including the public at large to revisit the news article dated March 4, 2008 after the election of March 3, 2008.  I am citing paragraphs 6 and 7 wherein I confirmed my commitment to contribute a total of $75,000.00 towards a scholarship program for the youth/students of Mill Woods.

I invite you to see the article yourself online at Canada.com, search for “Benito ends 15-year Grit Domination.”

This archived information which defined the specifics of my commitment to give back to the community in the form of this scholarship program remains as the basis of my hard work and dedication to this constituency.  I am honoured for it to be one of the legacies I am leaving behind even after the completion of my tenure in office.  In fulfillment of this commitment, we have granted 14 scholarships to deserving students in 2009.  

From this year, 2010, until 2012, I will continue helping students and provide the same benefits and assistance to 36 more scholars giving a total of $26,000.00.  This is in addition to the $41,000 I have given to the Edmonton Community Foundation MLA Carl Benito Permanent Endowment Scholarship Fund.  I am also forwarding an additional $8,000.00 funds to the Foundation before the end of my term. In effect achieving my promise of $75,000.00, one year’s salary of my time in office as promised.  I encourage each and every interested member of this constituency to call or visit the Edmonton Community Foundation for more information and details.  The Foundation will be assisting us in the administration and ensuring the fulfillment for the goals to which our Scholarship Program has been designed.  Ms. Karen Good would be very pleased to hear from you and willing to assist you with any information you might require.  She can be reached at (780) 426-0015.

Thank you very much for your support and involvement.  Let us continue to work together and see through the realization of our dreams and vision for a well informed Mill Woods constituents and a better community for us.  I will reiterate my firm resolve and commitment to all of you for all the objectives and goals I have set before and after the election. 

I have not reneged on any one of them and I have no intention of doing so.

On Monday night, Benito repeated his promise to donate his MLA salary (about $75,000.00) to a scholarship program.  The idea was created to sway young people into more positive areas and away from youth related crime, he said.

“We`ve put that in writing and we’re one hundred percent committed to it.  I strongly believe in giving back to the community.   The young people in Mill Woods are the future of our community.”

Edmonton Journal

2009:            $8,000.00
2010-2012    $18,000.00
ECF:              $41,000.00
End of term:  $8,000.00
Total:            $75,000.00

Carl M. Benito