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The Citizen, 1999-03-31, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, MARCH 31,1999. PAGE 7. Huron-Bruce Liberals select Ross Lamont as candidate With daffodils in bloom at the Blyth Legion, patrons of the March 25 tea enjoyed both the bright colours and the wonderful food available. Vera Badley, left, Lenora Davidson, centre, and Joann MacDonald checked out some of the baked goods for sale before trying the soup and sandwich lunch. The event was held as a fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society. Writer searching for names THE EDITOR, We are asking your readers to help us locate old friends and former co-workers. ‘ Did you ever work at the Huron County Health Unit? The planning committee is searching for addresses of former employees so Report angers Continued from page 4 which makes ice time for most teams very limited. We are very pleased and proud to have 22 up- and-coming hockey players on our Pre-Tyke team. This is double what most teams have in any given year. All but five of these 22 players are first year players. These kids are trying their hardest out there to touch the puck and maybe score a goal. But obviously effort is not something you write about. Our coach's hope throughout the year is to teach the kids about the game of hockey. If they are having we can send invitations to our 50th anniversary celebration in June. Contact Kelli Kennedy or Marguerite Thomas at 519-482- 3416, Fax 519-482-7820 or email: kkennedy @srhip.on.ca Yours truly, Kelli Kennedy Huron County Health Unit. hockey mom fun they are learning something. If they happen to win a game that is always an added bonus, but if they don't there is always something learned from that game experience. I know that several of our Lucknow parents read the article and mentioned, they did not find this to be very sportsman-like for Pre-Tyke calibre writeups. If the writer has nothing encouraging to say about the efforts and the goals scored by the Lucknow team then don’t say anything at all! Carol MacPherson Upset Lucknow Pre-Tyke Mom. PROWL+Elim+Banvel II i Performance I Enhanced You need a weed control solution that works on your farm and your budget. Attack weeds early and get season-long control with PROWL in your tank­ mix. It’s a proven performer at a price you can afford. PROWL gives you the flexibility to tank-mix for your specific weed pressures. For information on how to enhance your weed control program, call 1.800.263.1228. THINK PRICE. THINK PERFORMANCE. THINK PROWL. Check it out! www.farmlinepartners.com Farm Line PROWL* Marksman PROWL + atrazine points All products listed are registered trademarks of their respective companies. Talk to your retailer about the PROWL tank-mix that met your needs. By Margaret Stapleton Advance-Times Staff Liberals from Exeter to Saugeen Shores in the newly-formed provincial riding of Huron-Bruce, gathered on March 24 to select a candidate to represent the party in a yet-uncalled election. Close to 350 voting members selected Ross Lamont of Port Elgin as their candidate. He was challenged for the nomination by Joan Van den Broeck of Goderich. Lamont has a long involvement in party politics. He is immediate past president of the Ontario Liberal Party, was chairman of provincial Liberal leader Dalton McGuinty’s leadership campaign, and campaign manager for Murray Elston in 1990 and 1987. "We have a big job ahead of us," Lamont told supporters in his acceptance speech, saying the election can be won "street by street, riding by riding." He urged them to get out and work "to put either Helen or Barb on the unemployment roles." Huron MPP Helen Johns and Bruce MPP Barb Fisher are vying for the Progressive Conservative nomination in the newly-formed riding which consolidates their previous ridings, that they have held since 1995.. That nomination meeting is scheduled for April 17 at Blyth. The New Democratic Party nominated Tony McQuail of West Wawanosh at a nomination meeting earlier this winter in Goderich. RALLY TROOPS The candidates' speeches centred on themes that will certainly predominate the election campaign in Huron-Bruce: health care, education and agriculture. Lamont said there is a crisis in health care, education and agriculture today, all created by Ontario Premier Mike Harris and his "handful of backroom strategists." "Mike Harris does not understand or appreciate local health care. The Tories are moving quickly into a two- tier health system," Lamont predicted. He pointed to a recent pledge by the premier to spend $375 million to hire 10,000 nurses in the province; many of them the sarpe nurses Harris got rid of several years ago, doling out $400 million in severance pay. On the topic of education, he said the Conservatives have taken millions of dollars out of the system, along with local decision-making powers, all the while stepping up personal attacks on teachers. "Do not be fooled, the Tories are not improving education." Agricultural issues get short shrift from the Conservatives too, Lamont claimed, with millions of dollars being cut from the agriculture budget. In fact, the word 'farm' cannot be found in the Common Sense Revolution, the Conservative manifesto that was pivotal to the party's 1995 election win. On a topic near and dear to the residents of Bruce County, Lamont, manager of operational business planning at the Bruce Nuclear Power Development, said the future of Ontario Hydro will have an impact on riding residents. "The province needs Ontario-made solutions to energy needs," he said in reference to a plan to open up the electricity market to competition. Lamont also pledged his support in restarting the four laid-up units at the Bruce 'A' plant. "He (Harris) claims he has given us all a tax cut, but we have seen the result in user fees, increases in municipal taxes and hikes in tuition. Ninety per cent of the tax cut went to the richest 10 per cent of the population." The Conservatives promised a balanced budget in their first term, Lamont continued, but will not be able to deliver. "Do not believe he (Harris) will keep his promises this time." "The Tories will fight hard and dirty (in the coming election). Liberals must put forward an alternative." Lamont urged those present to uphold the tradition in Huron and Bruce Counties of sending Liberals -- Murray Gaunt, Jack Riddell, Murray Elston and Eddie Sargent - to Queen's Park. RESCUE MISSION In her speech to the voting members, Van den Broeck, a former board of education trustee and chairman and Children’s Aid Society volunteer, likened the coming election to a "rescue mission", rescuing the people of Ontario from the policies of the Progressive Conservative government. Rallying Huron-Bruce Liberals made their choice at a nomination meeting March 24 selecting Ross Lamont as a candidate for the provincial election. (Advance-Times photo) Van den Broeck said decision making must be returned to the legislature, calling today's Ontario an 'oligarchy'. Governments consult before making decisions, Van den Broeck noted. "You can't put politics ahead of people." She too pointed to crises in health, public education and agriculture. "My goals and aspirations are rooted right here," she pledged. "I will work with you and for you to ensure our rural voice is heard at Queen's Park.” Prior to the March 24 nomination, two candidates withdrew from the race. Dave Scott, mayor of Seaforth and newspaper editor, announced he would not seek the nomination as the employer said it constituted a conflict of interest. Grey Twp. Deputy-Reeve Alvin McLellan also withdrew from the race.