HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2000-11-01, Page 14PAGE 14. THE CITIZEN. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 1, 2000.
Ratepayers attend A-C-W meeting
By Amy Zoethout
Lucknow Sentinel
Water quality and nutrient man
agement were two of the main issues
discussed amongst the candidates
running in the municipal election in
Ashfield-Colbome-Wawanosh.
With the ballots arriving in the
mail, a large group of ratepayers
gathered at Brookside Public School
on Oct. 26 to listen to the candidates’
views on various issues.
Three candidates have declared for
the position of reeve, three for the
two positions as councillor for the
Ashfield Ward, three for the two
positions as councillor for the
Colbome Ward and three for the two
positions as councillor for the
Wawanosh Ward. Council will
choose, from the elected councillors,
who will sit as deputy reeve.
Candidates for reeve
From working in public works for
the City of Windsor, to a councillor
for Colbome Twp., to the chair of an
area school council, Bonnie
LaFontaine, of Colbome, has experi
ence in a variety of areas of munici
pal politics. Of particular note,
LaFontaine said that she worked
with area school boards when they
were amalgamated.
“I understand what will happen
next,” said LaFontaine, of the
process Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh will go through when
they are completely amalgamated on
Jan. 1, 2001. This is just the begin
ning.” She stated that it was three
years ago that the school boards were
amalgamated and the process is still
on-going.
LaFontaine said she will ensure all
voters are informed and consulted on
issues the council is faced with,
including intensive livestock opera
tions. She noted that she will ensure
the farm community has a voice in
dealing with intensive livestock
operations. She said that the interim
control bylaw needs to be reviewed
along with improvements to ensure
clean creeks, rivers and shoreline.
She said that clean water will
restore tourism to the area.
“We need to work as partners in
order to succeed,” said LaFontaine.
“Coming together we grow.”
An important task of the new
council, noted Doug Miller, present
reeve of West Wawanosh, is mould
ing three communities into one. He
noted that sitting as chair of the tran
sition board, which is preparing
amalgamation, provides him with the
insight into the challenges all three
municipalities face. Miller stated that
he is in support of an interim control
bylaw and noted that as agriculture
changes, new regulations must be
developed to deal with this change.
Another challenge facing the new
municipality, Miller noted, is devel
oping a new sense of community and
a new sense of pride in the commu
nity.
“Taking the team approach will
yield the best results,” said Miller,
adding that continuity will also pro
vide a smooth transition.
After six years as a councillor for
Ashfield Twp. and the last three
years as reeve, Ben Van Diepenbeek
said he welcomes the challenges the
next few years will bring on the new
council. While amalgamation pro
vides a number of obstacles for the
new municipality, Van Diepenbeek
noted that it is also a great opportu
nity to bring together three commu
nities to set unified goals.
“The new millennium is a time of
hope,” he said, adding though that
“we can no longer take water, health
care, schools, etc. for granted.”
“The challenges are great ones,”
said Van Diepenbeek, adding that the
new council must complete amalga
mation as well as maintain the envi
ronment and water as an ongoing pri
ority.
Van Diepenbeek noted that a
leader is needed who will “stand firm
in the midst of a storm ... I look for
ward to serving you in the 21st cen
tury.”
Questions addressed to reeve can
didates
A question directed to Miller asked
why West Wawanosh has not imple
mented an interim control bylaw.
The township did look into imple
menting a bylaw, said Miller, who
added that he does support an interim
control bylaw. But under the advice
of the township’s planners and
lawyers, they didn’t go ahead with it.
“Our conditions are different from
Ashfield’s and Colborne’s,” said
Miller, adding that the township does
not have big tracks of land available
to build these large operations.
“There is no pressure at the present
time for these bams.”
Asked if they supported a manda
tory septic system inspection pro
gram, LaFontaine said she would
support such a program, but it would
have to be in conjunction with what
ratepayers desire.
Van Diepenbeek said you had to be
careful with what was made manda
tory. He added that this could burden
the taxpayer “immensely” if help
isn’t there to update some of these
systems. Van Diepenbeek said there
would be definite cost savings over
time, with amalgamation, but the
transition process requires extra dol
lars for extra meetings, setting up a
new office and training people.
Asked for ways the community
can be of greater help to the new
council, LaFontaine noted that they
need input from the taxpayers. She
added that council needs to know the
needs of the people. “I hope the com
munity gives the council slack,” said
Miller. “This is a new venture.” He
also noted that they will always be
looking for community input and
ideas.
“You’ll have to be patient for a lit
tle while,” said Van Diepenbeek,
for Mayor
Municipality of Morris-Turnberry
! ’ A? ' La ' A ® z A ‘WAS's® ■ /- A ~ TA
'Dedicated to working for all
the people with fairness,
honesty and integrity"
Johnston, Keith
adding “council is the voice and ears
of the people. We need to hear your
concerns.”
Candidates for councillor
Walter Elliott, of Wawanosh, said
he believed the new council should
work together as a full council.
Elliott is presently the deputy reeve
for West Wawanosh. He noted that
agriculture is the main industry in the
three communities and he will do his
“utmost to keep it that way.”
Elliott is semi-retired which he
said allows him more time to spend
on dealing with the municipality’s
issues.
Neil Rintoul said he has enjoyed
the opportunity to represent West
Wawanosh as councillor for the last
three years. With the environment
and clean water as big issues facing
the new municipality, Rintoul noted
that they all need to work together to
help turn the land over to the next
generation.
Kevin Shiels, of Wawanosh, stated
that rural and urban should work
together on nutrient management. He
also noted that the provincial govern
ment needs to give more direction to
this issue. His three years as council
lor of West Wawanosh has been
“interesting and challenging” and he
noted that the new council needs to
work together as one unit for the
interest of the ratepayer.
Connie Black is seeking a second
term as councillor for Ashfield. She
stated that she has found the last
three years as a councillor “challeng
ing and interesting.” As a councillor,
she has sat on the transition board for
the new municipality. While on this
board, she said
“insight” into the
new municipality.
She noted that
and water quality
issues facing Ashfield-Colborne-
Wawanosh. “We are all part of the
problem. We must all work together
to find a solution,” said Black.
Ian Mabon is a small business
owner in Ashfield who wishes to pre
serve the country lifestyle of this
municipality. He described himself
as a team player with great concerns
she has gained
formation of the
the environment
are some of the
for water quality and the environ
ment. On council, he said he will
ensure the public is informed of
council’s decisions and activities.
Marilyn Miltenburg, of Ashfield,
said that bringing the new communi
ty together, ensuring clean water, and
developing a master plan for the
future of the new municipality are
some of the first steps to be taken as
a new council. With three years of
experience on the present Ashfield
Council, Miltenburg said she will do
her best to listen to the taxpayers and
to find the best resolution for the
entire municipality. She described
herself as a team player who looks
forward to learning about and listen
ing to the ratepayers’ concerns.
Carl Sloetjes, also of Ashfield, said
that working as both a farmer and a
contractor allows him to meet and
talk to a wide variety of people
throughout the community from cot
tagers to farmers. “I get a taste of
ELECT
Robert (Bert)
Elliott
For Councillor in
Ward M (Morris Twp.)
ON NOVEMBER 13TH
Former Experience in Morris Twp.
Councillor, Deputy Reeve and Reeve
Your support would be greatly appreciated
| "ALL CANDIDATES MEETING"
MUNICIPALITY OF MORRIS-TURNBERRY
(currently Morris Township and Turnberry Township)
1 for the *2000 MUNICIPAL ELECTION1
You are cordially invited to attend an "All Candidates Meeting" to
meet the following candidates in the 2000 Municipal Election -
which will be held on Monday, November 13, 2000, for the new
"Municipality of Morris-Turnberry".
Meeting Dates: «• Time: Locations:
Monday, October 30, 2000 7:30 pm "Belgrave Wl Hall
20 Brandon Street,
Belgrave, ON"
Thursday, November 2, 2000 7:30 pm "Bluevale Hall
j 32 Clyde Street,
R Bluevale, ON"
For the Office of Mayor: (1 to be elected at large)
I R. Lynn Hoy, Keith F. Johnston
For the Office of Councillor:
Wart T: (3 to be elected)
William Paul Elgie, Jim Nelemans,
1 Wayne J. Riley, Wm. J. (Bill) Thompson
Wart M: (3 to be elected)
Robert (Bert) Elliott, Edna McLellan,
Kevin Pletch, Neil Warwick
Public School Trustee: (1 to be elected)
Jim Floyd, Colleen Schenk
"EVERYONE IS WELCOME"
both worlds,” said Sloetjes. He also
noted water quality as a major con
cern and felt that it was both agricul
ture and sewage that contributes to
the problem. As a council, he stated
they need to plan “not just for tomor
row, but for 20, 40, 60 years from
now.”
Jim Moss, who is running for
councillor in the Ashfield Ward, was
unable to attend the meeting due to a
family emergency.
Brian Ferguson is a new resident to
Colbome, but said his strong man
agement, interpersonal and commu
nication skills are all assets he will •
use if elected to the position of
Colbome councillor. He also has
municipal experience as a former
councillor for the Town of Seaforth.
He noted that one of the first issues
to be dealt with is transition. Not just
bringing together the main services,
he added, but also developing
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