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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-10-25, Page 7THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2000. PAGE 7. Huron East candidates face off in Brussels By Bonnie Gropp Citizen staff The first skirmish in the bat­ tle for municipal council hap­ pened on Wednesday night with a Huron East all-candi­ dates meeting for the Brussels Ward. Unfortunately, while there was generally a good turnout, only about half the people present were from Brussels. In the question period resi­ dent Hank TenPas expressed frustration with the poor rep­ resentation from the village. “Especially this time with all the change that’s coming. They should have been here to hear (what amalgamation) will mean.” For their part each of the candidates did their best to inform and assauge any con­ cerns, first in their opening speeches than in the public forum. The order of speakers was chosen in a random draw. First was mayoral candidate Robin Dunbar, present reeve of Grey Twp., who stressed his experience and leadership as qualities that make him the one to trust. “Who can the people of Brussels trust to protect their interests ?” he asked. His accomplishments in his 12 years on Grey Twp. coun­ cil included a low tax rate, a nutrient management plan and the protection of water quali­ ty- while the new municipality faces many challenges, Dunbar said he believes his experience will be beneficial in seeing there is fair treat­ ment for all of Huron East. “I know many don’t want amalgamation but change is inevitable. Grey had the low­ est tax rate in the county and I am loathe to see this change. I will provide the leadership to achieve this goal.” His opponent Lin Steffler, currently reeve of Seaforth, drew attention to her “Brussels roots. I was married here, our son worked in the grocery store and played hockey for the Brussels Bulls. I have a strong connection to this town.” Steffler also noted that while she had not had any input at the transition board table, she did not see this as a detriment to leading the new municipality. “I come to this with no baggage attached.” Conversing with people, she said, has shown her that the major fear is loss of public works services through amal­ gamation. “The challenge is to balance efficiency and dol­ lars. Poor service isn’t effi­ ciency, it’s just poor service and I don’t want that any­ where in Huron East.” With regards to water prob­ lems, Steffler stressed that they won’t be solved overnight, and that it was one area where they couldn’t afford to cut comers or dol­ lars. Economic development is important to Huron East, she said and expressed her hope that the new rural economic development committee, which had received funding from Seaforth and McKiliop and Tuckersmith Twps. will be supported by every ward in Huron East. Regarding nutrient manage­ ment, Steffler said that while every farmer has a right to make a living that right has responsibilities. “At this point the appeal process is stronger than the enforcement process and that has to change.” A strong opponent of the proposal to move the ambu­ lance out of Seaforth to a point between Clinton and Seaforth, Steffler said she believes it will have a detri­ mental effect on the area and “she won’t give up the fight”. She added her hope that a “new set of faces” at county council after the election will allow them to revisit the issue. Three candidates are run­ ning for deputy mayor, Bill Siemon, reeve of McKiliop, Robert Broadfoot, reeve of Tuckersmith and Bernie McLellan, a Tuckersmith councillor. Siemon stated his belief that restructuring would be on­ going and said that any fund­ ing would only come if the new municipality finds sav­ ings without cutting services. County decision, he said, must be made for the common good and promised “all of Huron East” that if elected he would give “honest, informed, impartial, cost- effective representation.” Broadfoot admitted that he was unfamiliar with the area of Brussels, but outlined his experience through the Seaforth Ag Society, the Brucefield Fire Department, as a member of the hospital board and council. He spoke of the reserves that the town­ ship had built up, now sitting at three quarters of a million dollars. Broadfoot also said he hoped to promote develop­ ment areas in the new municipality including the industrial lands at the north end of the village. McLellan said his decision to run was recent, and feels that the uncertainties ahead make it difficult for anyone to make promises on what they can deliver as a council mem­ ber. However, he said, “I will say if I get this position I will do what I can for all of Huron East,' what’s right for every­ one.” Three Brussels residents have thrown in their hat for the two council seats, Councillors Joe Seili and Greg Wilson and Reeve Ralph Watson. Seili, who has served on council for six years joked, “I have never been elected, just did the job no one else want­ ed.” He noted his opposition to amalgamation but that it was time to make the best of it. If elected he said he would try to hold on to his belief that money shouldn’t be spent to create another government job but rather on infrastruc­ ture. Wilson, a 12-year veteran, said, “I think I did a good job and I would like to continue. I Decisions tough to make, says Schenk Having their say Candidates in Huron East began the first in a series of all-candidates meetings at Brussels on Thursday night. Chair Henry Exel opened the floor to questions for, from left: Ralph Watson, candidate for council, Robin Dunbar, mayoral candidate, Greg Wilson and Joe Seili, council candidates, Jim Floyd, running for school board, Lin Steffler, mayoral candidate, Colleen Schenk, incumbent trustee, Bernie McLellan, Bill Siemon and Robert Broadfoot, candidates for deputy-reeve. want to stay on council and see amalgamation through. I want to work together and represent the people of Brussels to see they get their fair share.” Watson just completing a three-year term as reeve, said that since realizing four years ago that the province was pushing for amalgamation he has worked with council and staff to find the best solution. “I would like to continue to represent Brussels and I feel my experience in agribusiness and finance has given me the broad range needed. I hope to get the best bang for the buck so that Huron East can be a vibrant community.” Watson also noted his sup­ port for Dunbar, then closed by. thanking the municipal office staff for their help and the people of Brussels for the privilege of serving them. Incumbent school board trustee Colleen Schenk said that she believes she has demon­ strated a strong com­ mitment to the people of north Huron. “My interest in education extends far beyond my chil­ dren.” Schenk spoke of the tough decisions that have had to be made by trustees this past term and stated her concern that the rural voice is not always heard. For this reason she has served as the board’s representative on the Ontario Public School Boards Association. Saying she takes the role of trustee seriously, Schenk noted that she attends as many school council meetings as possible, often running between two or three when they are scheduled for the same evening. “You need a local person with a local view and a local phone number to represent you.” Her opponent Jim Floyd lives near Seaforth in McKiliop. His platform, he said, is to find ways to cut costs rather than close schools. His experience has come as a member of the Seaforth Agricultural Society. With the candidate’s speeches complete, the pri­ mary concern voiced by resi­ dents were for the current staff and the continuity of service. Dunbar said that with regards to staffing he had wanted to be on the transition board, because if he was going to lead the new munici­ pality he felt it was important to know how things were put together. “I am confident that the staffing will be fine for the Brussels and Grey employees. I feel the staff have been under horrendous pressures these past three years and I hope it’s resolved at the end of the month.” Gary Pipe 'asked how the level of service will be main­ tained when it was his under­ standing that there would not be a full-time employee in the village. “As a Brussels resi­ dent I feel we need a full-time guy in Brussels.” Pipe stated his support for Steffler. Keith Mulvey asked what would happen when a street in Brussels needed fixing, how would these projects be prior­ itized. Steffler said that each ward is submitting a five-year plan which will be given consider­ ation. Dunbar said a needs study should be done of each municipality so that the new council would have a guide. “I assume the elected mem­ bers of the ward will get their say. I would like to set up a protocol so the needs of the municipality will be addressed.” With regards to snow removal, Wilson said that for this year, it will be tendered the same as it has been in the past. “As for the sidewalks...” There was also concern expressed over the arena and whether the current agree­ ment with Morris will be hon­ oured. Seili said that it was his understanding that all existing agreements will remain. Watson agreed that that was the only answer they have at this point. The issue of dissatisfied Morris residents who live at the edge of Brussels was also mentioned. Seili explained that Morris council had been approached by these people about annexation, but said they w«>tdd look at it after amalgamation. Dunbar said he had “great sympathy” for these residents. “There are various areas that should have been divided, but everyone was territorial. It will have to be looked at.” Cathrine Campbell asked why the Seaforth Town Hall was chosen and if there was a ceiling on the money for reno­ vations. Siemon said that when Tuckersmith and McKiliop had been discussing amalgamating with Seaforth, prior to the inclusion of Brussels and Grey, it was decided that this is where the office should be. When he said that the money being spent was not going towards anything that didn’t need to be done, Pipe countered that the problems had been there for 10 years. “We have to have room for these people to work,” saic Siemon. Asked if there was any other option considered. Siemon’s response was no. Some minor contention arose when Dunbar was ques­ tioned regarding his stand on the ambulance situation. The many faces of The War Amps NEVER AGAIN! Operation Legacy CHAMP PLAYSAFE DRiVESAFE These are some of the many War Amps programs that will carry on in the new millennium. Thanks for your support. To see a listing of NEVER AGAIN! videos, visit our Web site at www.waramps.ca or order a pamphlet by calling 1-800-250-3030. Dunbar as county councillor had voted in favour of the pro­ posal to move the service out of Seaforth. Jim McLeod of Tuckersmith asked him if he had thought of how many times Hwy. 8 was closed in the winter. Dunbar said, “The study was the best one that’s come through. We have snow every­ where in Huron County.” Siemon backed Dunbar agreeing that many roads will close in the winter. “We can’t mandate where people live. All we can mandate is you have to respond in eight min­ utes.” Another resident asked if the candidates believed that the municipality was going to get bigger. Siemon said, “We welcomed Brussels and Grey with open arms primarily to get us to 10,<X)0 population, a number we thought suited the province. I’m dead set against doing this again I thinl big- ge- government is worse and it’s going to cost more.” Dunbar added, “We have three years io make it work or I believe Queen’s Park will come and make it bigger. “ Charitable Registration Number: 13196 9628 RR0001 Videos can be borrowed free-of-charge or purchased at cost-recovery prices.