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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-08-12, Page 1ESTABLISHED IN 1873 . "THE SEPOY TOWN" ON THE HURON -BRUCE BOUNDARY +P iBUSHE.D IN1. cK O , ONTARIO 6 PAGESliee PER COPY Riddell kicks off election campaign By Patrick Raftis Plenty of high-profile Liberals, including Ontario Premier David Peterson; were on hand to help incumbent MPP Jack Riddell, minister of agriculture, kick off his cam- paign for the September 10 provincial elec- tion, last Wednesday. Also attending the annual barbecue at Riddell's Exeter area farm on Aug. 5 were Huron -Bruce MPP and Provincial Health Minister Murray Elston, Senior Citizens Affairs Minister Ron Van Horne, Minister of Transportation and Communications Ed Fulton and Gordon Miller, Riddell's parliamentary assistant. About 1,200 people attended the party fund-raising barbecue, the fourth annual such. event Riddell has hosted. Peterson, who arrived with his wife Shelley and their two children in two buses carrying a large campaign entourage, em- phasized Riddell's effectiveness as a cabinet minister in the present Liberal minority government and his committ ment to his own riding. "In addition to agriculture, Jack is very, very concerned about Huron County," Peterson said, noting that the provincial agriculture budget has gone up 72 per cent in the past two years. "That's a very significant increase and it demonstrates our committment to the family farm, to the continued viablity of farming in Ontario," he added, giving Rid- dell much of the credit for the, increased agriculture spending. "Jack shouts so loud in cabinet meetings, it's just easier to write ,him a cheque than to listen to him," the premier quipped. Peterson also said the Liberals "want to build an educaton system second to none," in Ontario and stated that environmental concerns are also high on the party's priority list. "We want to create an environment with clean water and clean air in the future and not pass on our problems to our children." Riddell pointed to the increased alloca- tions to agriculture in recent budgets and said his aim is to "help Ontario farmers compete with farmers in other countries". "I could go on and on and tell you all the good things this government has done for seniors, for the disabled," said Riddell, pointing out the minority government has made important initiatives in many areas. Peterson also praised Elston for his health care initiatives since becoming health minister, including the anti -extra - billing legislation which sparked protest from Ontario medical professionals last year, and promised continued attention to health care and the disabled in the future. "Independant living is the goal for all our people," he said. Present member for Huron -Middlesex Riddell is contesting his sixth election. He was first elected in a by-electon in. March, 1973. He predicts that leadership and free trade will be major issues in the upcoming election. Locally, Riddell feels that improving im- proving the industrial economy, outside the already strong ,agriculture sector, is among the most important concerns in this riding. There was a liberal dosage of cabinet ministers at Agriculture Minister and Huron - Middlesex MPP Jack Riddell's annual barbecue, held on RiddeIl's Exeter area farm, Aug. 5. From left: Health Minister and Huron -Bruce MPP Murray Elston, Riddell, Shelley Peter- son and Premier David Peterson. Other Liberal cabinet ministers in attendance were Minister of Transportaton and Communicatons Ed Fulton and Senior Citizens' Affairs Minister Ron Van Horne. (photo by Patrick Raftis) Calling all candidates HULLETT TWP. - At a recent executive meeting of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture, it was decided to host an all candidates meeting from the upcoming provincial election. This Will take place on August 24 at 8 p.m. at Hullett Central School in Londesboro. The panel will consist of Jack Riddell, the Liberal candidate; Nico Peters, Pro- gressive Conservative candidate and Paul Klopp, New Democrative Party candidate. The crowning of Miss Dungannon took place Sunday night at Brookside School with a good attendance. Back row, from left, are second runner up Angela Glenn, Miss Dungannon, 1987, Marcia Boak and first runnerup Wendy Westecott. Front row, left, Prince of the Fair, 1987, Billy Tucker and Princess of the Fair, Kelly McNee.( photo by Yvette Zandbergen) Dangerous highway By David Emslie BI'YTH - Ed Fulton, the Minister of Transportation and Communications and Agriculture Minister Jack Riddell were at the memorial hall here on August 5 to discuss Highway 4 grievances with representatives from local councils. Representatives from six area councils were on hand to discuss improvements to be carried out on the stretch of highway bet- ween Blyth and Wingham. They included Doug Fortune from the Township of Turn - berry, Bruce Machan from Wingham, Doug Fraser from the Township of Morris, Tom Cunningham from Hullett Township, Albert Wasson and Bill Howson from Blyth and Er- nie Snell, Don Schultz and Ralph Campbell from the Township of East Wawanosh. Before the meeting got underway, the visiting dignitaries were given a tour of the road so they might better understand the concerns they were about to hear. Dennis Merrall, County Engineer for Huron, provided some backround informa- tion befored the discussions began. He explained, "In spring, the municipalities served by Highway 4 bet- ween Blyth and Wingham became aware that the Ministry of Transportation and Communications was proceeding with engineering for improvements lo this sec- tion of Highway 4. Since that time, the reeves of the affected municipalities have held meetings to discuss the nature of the improvements on Highway 4. "The consensus at these meetings was that the improvements to Highway 4 should be upgraded to include pavement widening, ditching, and raising the roadway to im- prove the durability of the pavement and to lessen the dangerous winter whiteout and drifting conditions. "The reeves decided to ask for the assistance of the Honourable Jack Riddell, MPP, Huron=Middlesex and the Honourable Murray Elston, MPP, Huron -Bruce in con- vincing the Ministry of Transportation and Communications of the need for upgrading the improvements to Highway 4." Mr. Merrall then went on to describe the existing conditions of the highway. He noted that the pavement itself is deteriorating, resulting in substantial cracking in the asphalt. Because of the narrow width of the Turn to page 3 eip! With the recent announcement that the Lucknow and District Arena Board Jhas received approval for Capital and Conver- sion grants totalling almost $220,000, fur- ther fundraising is now imperative to see the successful completion of the project. Walter Arnold, Chairman of the Sports Complex Fundraising Committee, inform- ed the Sentinel that his committee is forg- ing ahead with their plans to raise money. A meeting for all the volunteers will be held at Hamilton's Mayfair Restaurant on Thursday, August 20 starting at 8 p.m. "As it is important to achieve our objec- tives in this matter, more volunteers are needed along with fresh and new ideas," said Mr. Arnold. Anyone interested in participating in this very worthwhile project is welcome to attend the upcoming meeting. While a great deal of time and effort has already been spend on the project, the hard work has just begun and your help is needed.