The Citizen, 2010-10-21, Page 11THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, OCTOBER 21, 2010. PAGE 11. MUNICIPAL ELECTION 2010School closures loom in North Huron election
BROCK VODDEN
Harold Brockest Vodden “Brock” is running for Blyth Ward Councillor for the Township of
North Huron. He is the incumbent, as he was appointed to council in November, 2009.
At the time, he had no previous council experience, but now has just under one year of North
Huron Council experience.
Vodden worked as a senior training consultant in the community services department for the
Municipality of Metropolitan Toronto from 1979 to 1987.
He also did consulting work for Peterborough, Sault Ste. Marie, Hamilton-Wentworth and
Children Services of Metropolitan Toronto. Vodden has also worked with the Huron Business
Development Corporation as project manager on small economic development projects.
The most important issue facing the township, he says, is economic development to overcome the deficits created
by the Avon Maitland District School Board’s decision to close Blyth Public School.
Vodden’s personal goal is to create a legacy of Blyth’s past and to find a person or organization to continue
working on preserving that legacy.
DAVID RIACH
David Riach, after being appointed to North Huron Council as a Blyth Ward representative,
is seeking another term.
Besides his current time with North Huron Council, the incumbent has spent time on the
Property Standards Committee in East Zorra-Tavistock (six years) and he made several
presentations to council on behalf of the parks and community centre development committee
while living in East Zorra-Tavistock.
Riach says he hasn’t always had a strong interest in municipal government, but that being
involved is one way of giving back to the community.
Going forward, Riach thinks that planning for growth in Blyth and North Huron is important, as well as
maintaining and improving infrastructure in the community. He hopes to provide a positive outlook to help preserve
and expand businesses in the area. He also hopes to identify and promote cost-saving efficiency in the day-to-day
operation of the township.
BILL KNOTT
Newcomer Bill Knott is hoping to earn a seat on North Huron Council as a Blyth Ward
councillor.
Knott has been involved in federal and provincial politics at a party level, participating in
various election campaigns on behalf of party candidates. He has been involved at a municipal
level as a citizen on behalf of community matters. Originally from Toronto, Knott moved to
Blyth in 2007. He has worked in sales and marketing all of his life.
Knott is running because he feels there is a strong need for North Huron to develop its tax
base and he feels that his background gives him a unique and valuable viewpoint.
Knott thinks Blyth Public School can be reborn as a centre for community involvement that could include
programs like day care, early childhood education and development, a senior’s day centre or a potential tie-in with
the Emergency Services Training Centre.
At the same time, he says, the township needs to get its house in order on a day-to-day basis and continue to ensure
that the township’s infrastructure remains sound by means of planning and providing for future needs today.
JIM SNYDER
Jim Snyder has no previous political experience, but he has been chairman of the Wingham
Public Utility Commission for 10 years, which he thinks will help in his bid for East Wawanosh
Councillor in the Township of North Huron.
Snyder decided to run to help make North Huron a better township through a collaboration
of ideas. He thinks this can be done by supporting each other and moving forward.
Snyder feels the most important issue facing the township going forward is the need to create
an action plan for economic growth and social development in North Huron.
Snyder says his personal goal is to bring to life to the township along with some fresh ideas.
JIM WOODLEY
While Jim Woodley of RR5, Wingham has no previous political experience, he feels he can
be the voice of the citizens of North Huron and work hard for the development of the
community in the East Wawanosh Ward of North Huron.
Woodley feels the township needs new business to come to the area. He feels the most
important issue is to help the community grow and prosper, while helping to control rising
taxes.
Woodley’s personal goal is to be the voice of the community and he plans on becoming that
by listening to everyone’s ideas and dreams for the future of North Huron.
RAY HALLAHAN
Ray Hallahan of RR3, Blyth completed a three-year
term as a councillor a number of years ago and now
wishes to represent the East Wawanosh Ward of North
Huron Council.
While on council, Hallahan had sat on the Wingham
and Blyth Fire Boards, the Union Cemetery Board and
the Belgrave and Blyth Arena Boards. He has been the
president of the Huron Pioneer Thresher and Hobby
Association three times and chairman of several other committees over the
years.
Being a lifetime resident of the township who raised his family in the
area, Hallahan says he wants to run for council as a means to represent the
interests and concerns of the community. He feels the most important issues
facing the township right now are taxes and growing the township.
If elected, he hopes to apply common sense to spending by the township.
When spending ratepayer dollars, he says he would apply common sense,
but still supply the essential services to the area, while working to attract
growth and jobs to the community.
JIM CAMPBELL
Incumbent councillor in the East Wawanosh Ward of
North Huron, Jim Campbell has served five terms for a
total of 16 years and is currently the township’s
representative on the Maitland Valley Conservation
Authority board, the police board and the fire board.
The RR3, Blyth man hopes to continue to be a voice
of the farmers in a combined setting. He also hopes to
finish some of the projects he had started as councillor.
Campbell feels the most important issue for the township going forward
is economic development. He says it is important to work to make “us” one
municipality. Campbell says he has always said “us” instead of “me” and
he will continue to do so.
His personal goal is to make sure the farmers still have a voice on North
Huron Council.
Acclaimed is Reeve Neil
Vincent. Running in the
Wingham Ward are Alma Conn,
Archie MacGowan and Bernie
Bailey.
Trustees are Colleen Schenk for
the Avon Maitland District
School Board and Jim McDade
for the Huron Perth Roman
Catholic Separate School Board.
Both are acclaimed.
On October 25th
Vote for
DALE NEWMAN
as your representative for councillor
Grey Ward, Huron East
On October 25th
Choose
Pam
McLellan
for Trustee,
Avon Maitland District
School Board,
Central East Huron
Your vote does matter!
www.pammclellan.ca
519-887-9456
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The Citizen