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Huron Expositor, 2014-10-15, Page 3Wednesday, October 15, 2014 • Huron Expositor 3 Candidates answer questions from public at ward meetings Whitney South Huron Expositor Candidates running for positions in the Grey and Tuckersmith wards met with members of the public dur- ing two all -candidates meet- ings in Huron East over the past two weeks. Each ward hosted an evening dedicated to intro- ducing newcomers to the race, as well as incumbents vying for a chance to service on municipal council. After each candidate's opening statements, moderators allowed members of the audience to pose questions to the candidates; at times having to encourage partici- pation is both wards. Grey ward Incumbent councilors, Dianne Diehl and Alvin McLellan, along with candi- dates Orval Bauer and Den- nis Mueller took the stage at the Ethel Community Centre on Oct. 2. The first question of the evening involved the con- struction of wind turbines, as well as power lines run- ning from Seaforth to Roxe- ter. The candidates were asked for their opinion on the project. Coun. McLellan said he believed a better route could've been sought out for the project, adding though the municipality had con- tacted the province regard- ing several issues, the prov- ince didn't listen Coun. Diehl agreed with McLellan's statement, add- ing council understood the frustration of the public, and had been feeling the same way as all control had been taken out of their hands. Mueller said, if elected, it would be his mission to edu- cate members of council on the follies of the Green Energy Act and would be lobbying for change on council as, in his view, if nothing is done there would continue to be no restric- tions on the activities of tur- bine companies. Residents also inquired as to what the candidates would do in order to keep local halls as a viable com- munity resource. Coun. Diehl said she believes communities should be getting together to help fundraise in order to keep services like halls open. She went on to say council would not let them fail, but it was up to everyone to help raise funds. Coun. McLellan described several events the commu- nity had organized through- out the past year, including the Firemen's Snow Volley- ball Tournament. He added council has always been dependable when it came to helping out community cen- tres, but backed up Diehl's claim that volunteers are always needed, He guaran- teed the audience he would always help and that council would never close a hall while the community still wanted it. HEAT member Jerry Ryan asked the candidates how they had voted in the past in ea ort uronex . ositor.co regards to vibrancy funds offered by turbine compa- nies and how they would in the future. Coun. McLellan stated he had voted in favour of accept- ing the fun and council were fools to it turn down. He said he believed the money could've gone towards things such as sound studies or off setting taxes, adding in his mind, the fun was not 'blood money' but something that could've done some good throughout the municipality. Though Coun. Diehl was not in chambers for the vote, she said she also would've voted in favour of the fund, as the money could've gone toward the community. This was not the view of Mueller, who explained with seven pages of legal condi- tions, the vibrancy fund was not something he would've voted for and that other municipalities had regretted their decisions in taking part. Tuckersmith ward Incumbent councilors, Les Falconer and Larry McGrath, along with Raymond Step Upg Your 5 Selling 11 Powerri)-1 WEST COAST KITCHENS Linda Reaume Designer And Much More • Kitchens • CustomVanities • Entertainment Units • Home Offices PROFESSIONAL INSTALLATIONS CUSTOM DESIGNS & COUNTERTOPS Visit Our Showroom 50 West St. Goderich 519-440-0352 www.westcoastkitchens.net Email: westcoastkit@hurontel.on.ca Chartrand were onhand at the Vanastra Recreation Centre on Oct. 8. Moderator Steve Hilde- brand began the evening by reminding the crowd what a great opportunity it was for members of the public to be able to speak with candi- dates, something not every- one gets a chance to do. After several minutes of silence, the audience began with a question regarding road paving, which would prove to be a common thread throughout the evening. The candidates were asked why other wards had been reaping the benefits of amal- gamation, citing the new Brussels Library as well as renovations to the Grey Fire Station, while Tuckersmith seemed to be left behind. Coun. Falconer explained it wasn't possible for council to spend money in every ward every year, and that in fact $250,000 had been put into the Vanastra Recreation Centre, which was a large and important project. Chartrand said he was upset by the fact the province continues to cut funds to municipalities across rural Ontario, choos- ing instead to fund large pro- jects in the larger metropoli- tan areas. He went on to explain everyone needs to stand up for those living in rural areas. Coun. McGrath mirrored both candidates' responses, adding as much as council wants to get done, there is only so much funding to go around. Comparing rural Ontario to a sacrificial lamb of the federal and provincial government, everyone is doing what they can with what hey have. A question was posed as to why both councilors had chosen to vote against accepting a vibrancy fund offered by the wind compa- nies that wouldn't seen much needed funds given to the municipality over several years. Though he wasn't on council and did not vote on the fund in question, Char- trand said he was amazed council chose not to accept the fund, adding if the pro- ject was going to happen anyway, why not take the money? He went on to say he would've voted yes on the issue and that the funds could've been used for sev- eral needed projects throughout the municipality. Coun. McGrath said he was against accepting the fund in question because since the municipality had declared itself an unwilling host and since there was an attempt being made to stop the turbines from being built, accepting money would be wrong. He did, however, add denying the fund may have been a bad idea in hindsight, but accepting the money was like admitting to the court the municipality was accept- ing the wind turbines were coming and there was noth- ing they could do. Coun. Falconer stated though he voted in favour of the vibrancy fund associated with Nexterra transmission lines, he voted against the St. Columban offer because he believed the public didn't want it and that a better offer may come to the table. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm aforth lmn Expositor 8 Main St., Seaforth PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS uIr