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Home My WebLink AboutThe Huron Expositor, 1995-05-24, Page 83 -THE HURON EXPOSITOR, May 24, 1295 News and Views Grit hopes sincerity battles cynicism BY GREGOR CAMPBELL Expositor Staff Many Canadians are cynical about their politicians these days. When elections roll around they often seem to be voting against somebody or something, rather than for the party or person who wins. What did the provincial Liberal Party learn the last time Ontario's voters went to the polls? "Not to be arrogant," says Huron Liberal candidate John Jewitt without a moment's hesitation. Huron County was coloured Grit red for 17 years from 1973 until 1990 when the party was upset both provincially and locally by the New Democratic Party, which won this riding for the first time. This is Jewitt's first provin- cial campaign. He won the local candidacy by receiving more than half of the 609 votes cast in the first tally, beating three other potential candidates late last March. "I am pot a fire and brimstone preacher and have never felt I'm making myself better by belittling someone else, its not my style," Jewitt says. "He who throws dirt loses ground." Jewitt says his quiet way of battling the public's cynicism is to be honest and sincere and to try and make a contribution. "I'm not making promises that 1 would be unable to main- tain," he says. "I am a man who knows how to work, who will lead by example." The 55 -year-old farmer/factory worker and father of five is no stranger to politics. He lives at RR 1 Lon- desboro in Hullett Township and has been involved with the local Liberal party for two -and - a -half decades. He was on the party's executive when the riding was represented by Liberal cabinet members, Jack Riddell and Murray Elston. Jewiu is fifth -generation Huron County. His wife's name is Barbara, they have been married 36 years, and his father was a prominent in municipal politics and a well- known local Liberal. The Liberal candidate in the June 8 provincial election served on Hullett Council for a dozen years, four of them as Reeve, and was a trustee on the Huron County Board of Education for 14 years, four of them as Chair. He is a former Cub leader and active in Lon- desboro United Church. Jewitt says the state of On- tario's finances is the most important issue in next month's election. Fiscal restraint is almost a "motherhood" issue among the main contenders, Jewitt agrees, adding the choice for voters going to the polls next month is one of "credibility", echoing his party's line. The Huron Liberal candidate feels a 30 per cent reduction in taxes is "unrealistic" and "can't be done", and his party's promise to reduce taxes by five per cent over four years is more practical. Among other things the Liberal party has promised $4.1 -billion in government program cuts and welfare reform. "Every program will Retired teachers welcomed June Boussey S.T.O. Presi- dent welcomed all the retired teachers at Mitchell Public School on Tuesday, May 16. Principal Gary Wright also welcomed us all. Ian Munro introduced 12 Mitchell Gospel Singers with Carolyn Pauleen on the piano. They were thanked by Bob Moorehead for a tremendous presentation and given a gift. Ralph Smith intro- duced another guest, Maree Collinson from Atwood, a retired Kindergarten teacher, who expertly dramatized a Native Story. She was thanked by Carol Simons and presented with a gift. A business meeting followed Eleanor Smith read the minutes that were approved of by the group. Reports were presented by the following: Health Ser- vices - Harold Wisternoff; Membership - Carol Simons; Political Action - Joan Hamilton; Huron Unit - Ralph Smith; Perth Unit - Bob Moorehead. Ross Haugh is ' retiring as Newsletter editor and Ralph Smith is taking over. Dates to remember: Huron Trip - May 31, 1995 "Officers 1893" Dinner theatre; Huron Unit Dinner Meeting - June 7, 1995, Ontario St. Church, Clinton; Perth Unit Dinner Meeting - June 13, 1995, United Church, Mitchell; Perth Trip - June 28, 1995, Niagara - on -the -lake "Cavalcade"; Dis- trict 9 Fall Dinner Meeting - October 19, 1995, Seaforth Community Centre. A special thank you to the Mitchell Trinity Anglican Church ladies for the excellent catering. Thank you to Carl Damman for preparing coffee, tea and excellent help! GET �1 have to be looked at to trim the excess," Jewitt says. Promises cost money, Jewitt says. He thinks tax cuts should stimulate new business or encourage existing ones to grow, rather than target in- dividuals, because "the only long-standing jobs are created by the private sector so we should encourage it all we can." "Downsizing" is often blamed for many of our economic woes, but Jewitt says that as an aspiring member of the provincial government that is often blamed for this downsizing - some of the fat that must be trimmed is the fault of our political system and the relationships among levels of government. "We have to get away from the mindset that if we don't spend it we will lose it," Jewitt says. Right now, for instance, because of the way the system works hospitals and schools can hardly plan because they often don't know until the last minute, if then, how much money they will actually have to work with. That's why the Liberals would freeze grants at their current levels, so people would at least know how much they are getting, Jewitt says. But you wouldn't have to spend these grants to get them next year, he adds, and a Liberal government would allow grants that aren't exhausted to remain in the organization's kitty for future use. Ontario Liberal Party Leader Lyn McLeod is no more an advantage or disability than the leaders of the other provincial leaders, Jewitt commented before he and his campaigners hit the sunny streets of Seaforth last Wednesday night, as the three party leaders prepared to cross verbal swords in debate on television. Jewitt says he hears "just as many comments one way or the other" about the leaders from the electorate in Huron this campaign. "Lyn is an advantage to the Province of Ontario," he says. "She doesn't berate, is a steady influence and is doing well." Jewitt adds the Liberal leader has promised more free votes in Queen's Park "and that is a promise I will hold her to." The local Liberal candidate has a beef a cash crop farm in Hullett. He has also had two stints, that total well over a decade, working at the Cham- pion Roads plant at Goderich, as both a supervisor and welder. John's father Bill was a Hullett councillor for 14 years and Huron County Warden in 1959. It was way back then that John first got involved with politics. The biggest change in the nature of the beast since then he says is the influence of the province on local matters. This is not al- ways a bad thing, Jewitt is quick to add, but there are more directions coming from Toronto and it has more influence and more of a man- riatr. than it aid then. GREGOR CAMPBELL PHOTO LIBERAL CANDIDATE - John Jewitt of RR 1 Londes- boro is the the political par- ty's new candidate in Huron County. In this new reality, Jewitt says rural people often are right to feel their concerns are often addressed to the city's advantage. "It is up to us to keep remin- ding them we do. have our ways, a contribution to make, and deserve more con- sideration" the local Liberal candidate says." "We should refuse to accept the belief this province ends when you get off the 401." • • *464 ' Zed44(44 for the serious violin student with HANS BAUER from the UNIVERSITY :. of WESTERN ONTARIO:. 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