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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-08-12, Page 11Page 10—Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, August 12, 1987 It's the chicken or the egg says PC's Peters "It is a chicken or the egg question, said Progressive Conservative candidate for Huron, Nico Peters. He explains the pro- vincial government won't repair area roads because there is no industry and yet to attract new industry there must.be ade- quate tranportation facilities. Peters, a Tuckersmith Township farmer, calls the government's five-year plan to patch Highway 4 north of Blyth "a slap in the face" and said it treats residents of those areas like second-class citizens. According to Peters, grant money is available for municipal roads if they meet certain building specifications. "If Highway 4 was a municipal road it would be repaired tomorrow," he said. Highway planners are aware of the pro- blem, but somewhere along the line the provincial government must step in, because two big trucks cannot pass safely on the highway. "What are the issues in this election and why is the government spending $50 millon on an election?" asks Peters. He feels the Liberals are insulting the people by calling a summer election. For four years the government makes the decision but when people vote it is their decision and it should Nico Peters will carry the PC colours for Huron in the upcoming provincial election. Peters is a farmer from Tuckersmith Township. be at their convenience and their timing, he said. Peters said he does not want to peak too soon in the campaign. He wants to build support gradually and push hard in a door- to-door campaign in the last ten days. "If you peak to soon you cannot carry it through the campaign," said Peters con- cerning the lack of Vote Nico Peters signs in the area. He said he was suprised when the election was called but he was not unprepared. He said he is not'afraid to take a stand on issues– he is not a fence sitter. Peters is against abortion. He said legal precedents have been set that make unborn children heirs and make pregnant women wards of the court to protect the unborn. "There is an agenda in place that would see more abortion clinics. Give children a future; give all people a future," said Peters. While he does not beleive in discrimina- tion, Peters is opposed to Bill 7 which gives full rights to homosexuals. "They should not be allowed to preach their perversion," he said. He pointed out that a Montreal young homosexual and lesbian group was given government money to distribute a pamplet that said if you have not tried it our way you may be missing something. Peters takes the same kind of stand on bilingualism in Ontario. "I would like to see my children take french immersion, but not if they are forced. Ontario is not bilingual area," said Peters. He said Chinese should be available in Toronto and Italian in Hamilton but should not be legislated on anyone. The Ontario Federation of Agriculture is planning an all -candidates meeting on Aug. 24 and Peters is looking forward to allowing the people of Huron to compare candidates and to addressing their concerns. Peters said land values have deteriorated in Huron and he said the government points to a decrease in absentee land ownership. He said the government lacks common sense when when they have an attitude that says " kill the dog and they won't steal it. I would like to see a common sense approach in Queen's Park." Peters wants Huron to be a place where people can feel secure in starting a business or raising their children. He wants Huron to have future. "They geed a leader who has his roots in the 60's and 70s, who speaks in the 80s and will be rele- vant in the 90s." Klopp shows concern for agriculture finance Paul Klopp, NDP candidate for Huron county, shows concern about many issues with agriculture finance being one he plans to discuss, Klopp, 30, was born in Clinton and gain- ed his education at Zurich. Public, School,, South Huron District Secondary School and Centralia College, Agricultural Business ,Managerent, 1977. He is a farmer with afifth generation family farm in Hay Township. Klopp is also with the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. Zurich Fir Bgard and Regional Director of Ontario Federation of Agriculture. He has a wife, Heather and a 20 month old son, Timothy. Currently, Klopp is President of the Huron County Federation of Agriculture but is on leave of absence for his cam- paign. He was also the 1985 NDP candidate in Huron -Middlesex. Klopp is going to be discussing the area of agricultural finance, stressing the revival of the Province of Ontario Savings Bank, first created when the General Farmers Organization held power. Klopp believes the, Savings Bank would serve farmers better than the existing Farm Credit Corporation (FCC). The FCC, he says, was set up to assist farmers financially but in the long term, "became a joke". The Savings Bank would act as a credit union but would not charge for additional services or penalize customers with .fines when credit is overdrawn. He gave the example of a man who was overdrawn $250 on his line of credit at the bank and because he didn't have the money in the bank the next day, he was charged $100. "This is ridiculous," he said. "The farmers in 1919 had the same problem, in- terest rates were out of line." "The farmers were getting a raw deal and someone put it into legislature, but over the years, the pyog-ram was put on the back shelf." Klapp said the vehicle is there for agricultural finance and there is expertise in credit unions to enable a program giving farmers financialassistance to be organized. According to Klopp the Savings Bank would be ideal because the farmers could have a stable interest rate on a long-term basis and receive more long-term committments. "We don't need any more games, enough games have been played." Another issue Klopp plans to raise is the environment in Huron County, emphasiz- ing mphasizing the number of landfill sights that are full. 1 Jack Riddell Committee Rooms Clinton - 9 Rattenbury Street 482-3007 Wingham - .414 Josephine Street, North 357-1140 Exeter - 592 Main Street, South • 235-1544 Goderich - 36 Newgate Street 524-5336 Seaforth - 55 Main Street 527-2202 IPEAL&Ai SPO\tiORla) I31 I III. Ht RO\ PRO% !NCI \I. I.IRF;R ‘SSO(I VI I(1\ • "The Liberals gave money to a lot of townships for landfill sights," he said. "In Tuckersmith, they are looking for a dump for Seaforth and I understand they poured $300,000 into it and they are no closer to fin- ding a dump sight. No one is winning." A current program that some farmers are involved with is the Beef Tripartite program, which also encompasses white beans and pigs. Klopp said with this pro- gram, no equipment depreciation is given and he called this "the biggest game in town." "The farmers can't get their money out if they decide to quit," he said. Klopp said this is the best time for an election and is grateful that David Peter- son did not call the election in June. He said the NDP party, on the provincial level, talks about average people with everyday problems and added that Peter- son is "riding high." . The federal popularity of the NDP's definitely helps on a local level, said Klopp. Because the party is gaining popularity province wide, Klopp said the local party can draw strength from this. He added that governing with the Liberals has also been good for the party. "Anytime you work with another group you find out what they are like," he said. "Bob Rae and his people must have gotten wiser because they are writing things down." According to Rae, things have to be done. Klopp said the cabinet minister of the riding hasn't even looked at the farm finance problem because he sees it as a federal problem. Paul Klopp will represent the NDP's for Huron in the September 10 call to the polis. Klopp says after 14 years of Liberal government, a change is "needed. "He does not want to rattle the chains of the banks," he said. Klopp said after 14 years, a change is needed. "I want to keep farmers farming," he said. "And change things for the better- ment of the people." Riddell on economics Leadership and the revitalization of the local economy will be major issues in the provincial election campaign; says Jack Riddell, Liberal candidate in Huron. Mr. Riddell, who is also the Minister of Agriculture and Food, said he looks for- ward to the campaign as it will give voters a chance to discuss the future of Huron County and the province. In announcing the election date, Peter- son said, Ontarians are entitled to pass judgement on the leadership we have pro- vided for the past two years, and on the directions we believe are necessary for the years to come." Riddell said Premier David Peterson has proven to be a strong leader, who is willing to tackle tough situations and come up with solutions that are best for the pro- vince as a whole. "You won't find this type of leadership. anywhere else," Mr. Riddell said. "David Peterson and his, team have brought a new type of open, responsive and responsible government to Ontario." Mr. Riddell said the campaign will also focus attention on some of the economic development problems facing Huron County. "It's going to take the combined efforts of all levels of government and the people of Huron to ensure that we get the type of healthy growth necessary to make jobs available for our. young people," he said. Mr. Riddell noted that Huron County has received numerous grants from the pro- vincial government to provide services and infrastructure necessary for industry. In addition, Mr. Riddell bias regularly arranged for meetings between govern- ment ministries and various local businessmen and municipalities in order to help existing and new businesses. With' his solid business background, David Peterson understands the concerns of the business community," Riddell said. "We have taken some important steps to help these essential sectors."