Loading...
The Huron Expositor, 1997-11-05, Page 441_TSS IMO* tt±XPOSITOS, Nsv. aoer S. 11107 BOB BROADFOOT • ...mow.Ilial BILL DEJONG Our regular correspondents reports and editorial page will retum next week. Space had to be devoted this week to local election coverage. Thank you for your understanding. Your Community Newspaper Since 1860 TERRI-LYNN DALE - General Manager & Advertising Manager LARRY DALRYMPLE - Saks PAT ARMES • Office Manager DIANNE McGRATH - Subscriptions & Classifieds DAVE SCOTT - Editor GREGOR CAMPBELL Reporter LIMB STOREY - distribution A Bowes Publishers Community Newspaper ARISCRIPTION RATE: LOCAL - 32.50 a year, in advance, plus 2.28 G.S.T. 5ENiORS; - 30.00 o year, in advance, plus 2.10 G.S.T. USA & Foreign: 28.44 a yea in advance, plus 578.00 posioge, G.S.T. exempt WBSCRIP ION RATES: Published weekly by Signal -Star Publishing of 100 Moin St., Seaforth. Publication moil registration No. 0696 held at Seokrth, Ontario. Advertising is =mood on condition that in the event of o typographical error, the odvertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at tet applicable rote. In the event of o typographical error, advertising goods a services at a wrong price, goods or services may not be sold. Advertising is Merely an offer to sell and moy be withdrawn at any time. The Huron Expositor is not responsible for the loss or damage of unsolicited manuscripts, phots or other materials used for reproduction purposes. Changes of address, prrkn'lor subscriptions and undeliv- erable copies ore to be sent to Th. Huron Extosiar. Wednesday, November 5, 1997 • Editorial and Business Offices - 100 Main Street ,Seafer h Telephone 15191527-0240 Fax (5191 527-2855 Moiling Address - V.O. Bax 69, S.dod +, Ontario, NOK 141/0 Member of the Canadian Community Newspaper Association, Ontario Community Newspapers Association and the Onion Press Council Publication Mail Registration No. 07605 Letter to the Editor:. Act of violence toward teachers Dear Editor: I just witnessed an act of violence toward our striking teachers....right here in down- town Seaforth and in front of several young school-age children. Striking teachers were staging an information picket on Main Street Friday during lunch when they were rudely, aggressively and vio- lently told to get off the prop- erty. Others who witnessed this display of verbal abuse directed at the teachers may not think it was an act of vio- lence but me and my young children found the display unsettling. It does not matter whether or not we agree with the teachers and their unions. What matters is that our chil- dren are not in school. They aro out with us and are wit- nesses to these acts of intoler- ance toward their teachers. Remember that it is not just the teacher's responsibility to teach our children it is also mine and yours. What did you teach my children today? 'Respectfully Terri Shobbrook BERNIE MACLELLAN ROB MCLEOD PAUL SPITTAL DOUG VOCK A look at Tuckersmith candidates BY DAVID EMSLIE TUCKERSMITH TWP - Residents of Tuckersmith Township will be going to the polls on Nov. 10 to make their choice for the positions of deputy -reeve and council- lors. Incumbent Bill Carnochan has been acclaimed as the township's reeve. Bernie MacLellan, who is now a councillor, and Robert Broadfoot will be seeking the deputy -reeve's seat. Vying for the three seats on council will be incumbents Rob McLeod and Doug Vock, along with Bill DeJong and Paul Spittal. Following are profiles on the municipal candidates for the upcoming election. DEPUTY -REEVE BOB BROADFOOT Bob Broadfoot, 60, has been a self-employed farmer in Tuckersmith Township for the past 40 years. He and his wife Donna have three grown children. The past -president, 1983- 84, of the Seaforth Agriculture Society, Broadfoot is also a supporter of Brucefield United Church. He is past president of the Huron County Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and for two years was 'a board member of the Seaforth Community Hospital. The candidate has a num- ber of years of political expe- 'ance on the mtlnicipgl, fipgt hind him, as he serddil for 'TTve years on Tuckersmith Township, and six years in the position he is once again seeking, that of deputy -reeve. Other past involvement on the political front include working as drainage inspec- tor, serving on the Clinton Fire Area Board, and being a member of the Community Based Policing Committee. Commenting on why he is seeking the position of deputy -reeve, Broadfoot noted that he would like to. provide a strong agricultural voice on council, as well as a business approach to council work. He also noted that .he takes pride in supporting and serving his township. BERNIE MacLELLAN Bernie MacLellan is the vice-president of Jamco Trailers in Brucefield. He and his wife Helen are parents to three children, Sarah, 9, Michael, 7, and Jared, 3. A former Scouts Canada Assistant, MacLellan, 35, has sdrved for three years as a councillor in Tuckersmith Township. He is a Central Huron Economic Development representative, and represents the township on the Clinton Fire Area Board. As to why he is seeking the position of deputy -reeve, MacLellan wrote: "This posi- tion deserves personal com- mitment. I have demonstrated in the past three years where 1 stand-up for the ratepayers' interest because that was why they elected me." COUNCILLORS BILL DEJONG Bill DeJong has been a res- ident of Tuckersmith Township for 48 years. He and his wife Doreen farm at RRI Brucefield. DeJong served as a director of the Board of the Hensall District Co-op from 1979-88, and was elected president of the company in 1985. From 1988 to 1994 he was a councillor for the township. He served on the Hensall and Area Fire Board, and was a member of the Huron County Farm Safety Association. He was Inspector for the Municipal Tile and Drainage. Writing about why he is' seeking the seat of councillor, DeJong stated: "I am con- cerned about the changes and uncertainties that lie in our future, such as reduced gov- ernment grants, the down- loading of roads, policing costs, social services and housing, and the shortfall of funds to our municipality due to the Farm Tax Rebate. The possibility of restructuring is a very serious concern and deserves special attention. All of these changes will have a great impact on our municipality. "i believe there should be a balance of representation on council from the rural and urban areas so that every- one's concerns and needs are addressed equally. "If elected I will listen and bring forth your concerns so that each issue will receive the utmost attention at the council table, and this may well be the most important election in the history of the Township of Tuckersmith." ROB McLEOD Rob McLeod, 32, is the Route Business Manager for Hostess Frito Lay. He and his wife Cathy are parents to three children, Jennifer, Miranda and William. He has served four -and -a - half years as a councillor for Tuckersmith TAwnship, and for two years has been a member of the Seaforth and District Community Centre Board. McLeod has also been a member of the Mid -Huron Landfill Site Board for three years, and a Hensall, Hay,' Tuckersmith Fire Board member for three years. For two years, he has been a member of the Tuckersmith COP Committee. Commenting on why he is again seeking the position of councillor, McLeod wrote: "I feel that the process of amal- gamation should take effect in order to keep taxes down. I also feel that the water line issue to Vanastra needs some- one that has a vested interest in need to be dealt with." PAUL SPITTAL Paul Spittal, a teacher with the Huron County. Board of Education, is a parent with his wife Joan to two children, Cara and Rob. The 49 -year-old is the past vice-president of Community Living Central Huron, and the past -president of the Goderich Lions Club and the Seaforth Lions Club. He is a Warden at St. Thomas' Church in Seaforth, and the Tuckersmith representative on the board for the Seaforth Community Hospital. Spittal wrote that he is seeking the position because: "The provincial government is undertaking a major restructuring of provincial municipal affairs in Ontario. Municipalities will be asked to take over the responsibili- ties and funding of such ser- vices as social housing,' policing, public health and ambulance services. The changes will mean new roles, responsibilities and powers to municipal government. Good decision making will be diffi- cult and challenging. "As a new candidate for Tuckersmith Township, I wish to ensure that these changes do not erode the val- ues held by our community. These include the following: 1. As agriculture is the domi- nant economic driver in Huron County the new poli- cies being developed must be supportive of agriculture. Farm groups and organiza- tions must be part of the con- sultation process; 2. Further, these changes need to reflect our wish for a clean environ- ment, good health care, safe- ty, quality social services and education. "If elected, 1 will try to maintain these core beliefs and become as informed and knowledgeable as possible before making these impor- tant decisions." DOUG VOCK Doug Vock, 44, works as Chief Building Official, and he and his wife Helen have five children, Matthew, Michael, Mark, Jacquelyn and Quinton. Vock is a former member of the Optimist Club. He has previous council experience, serving three years on Tuckersmith Township Council, and has served on theSeaforth Community Centre Board. Commenting on why he is seeking a councillor's seat, Vock noted that his father was involved in politics for 15 years. He wrote that he enjoys being a part of munic- ipal politics, and has a knowledge of planning and budgeting. The candidate also noted that by seeking a seat on council, it is his way of being involved with the community and its concerns. As he has been involved in recent months with the provincial government's downloading of services to the municipal level, he wrote that he would like to have the opportunity to be part of the transformation. Hallett residents have a few choices for council BY DAViD EMSLIE SSP News Staff Hullett Township residents .will have a few choices to make when they go to the polls next Monday. There are two races for seats on the municipal coun- cil, with three candidates seeking to be named reeve, and four seeking one of the three seats on council. All candidates were given the opportunity to fill out a profile form and have their photo taken for publication in the News -Record. Following are the profiles. RACE FOR REEVE Incumbent Reeve Tom Cunningham will be facing competition this year from current Deputy -Reeve Robert Szusz and Ken Rutley. TOM CUNNINGHAM Tom Cunningham is self- employed in fanning. fle and his wife 115 have four daugh- ters and one son. The incumbent has been involved in a number of dif- ferent areas in the communi- ty, as he was a past Lions Club member, along .with put -president of the Soil and Crop Association. He also a pant -president of the Huron Catty Junior Farmers. Listing his put political involvement, Cunningham noted that he was i former member of the Hullett ,'Lbwnship School Board. and the Warden for Hurwh. ih 1984. Por ilia Township Council, he has served as a councillor, deputy -reeve and reeve. In response to the question of why he is seeking the posi- tion of reeve, Cunningham wrote: "I believe I can give the necessary leadership in the coming three years. We have many difficult decisions to make with downloading of policing, roads, changed funding for Welfare, Homes for the Aged, local roads, etc. I believe we need strong leadership also in dealing with the issue of amalgama- tion. "I have worked well with fellow councillors in the past and I believe I can bring together a consensus to deal with the difficult issues we will face in the next three years." ROBERT SZUSZ Robert Szusz, 40, is the owner of the Londesboro Seed. Plant. He and his wife Marsha ire parenti•to daugh- ters Keine and Jennifer. For many years he has been involved in sports, specifically hockey and base- ball, and he is past -president of the .Londesboro Men's Bowling League. On the political front, Szusz has served two tenas es a councillor the towniNp, and one term. as deputy reeve. He iicheit- man of the Blyth-Hullett Landfill Committee and the Blyth Arena Boland. A coht- rpltOee member of the. Blyth • Fire Board, the candidate is also on the Central Huron Restructuring Committee, where he is on the executive committee. Commenting on why he is seeking the position of reeve, Szusz wrote: "i think that council will be facing tough decisions in the next couple of years, and I feel that I can contribute some fresh ideas and work hard to be sure that the township's concerns are and will continue to be addressed. Council must work together as well as with the public to make sure that all concerns are addressed." COUNCIL SEATS Four candidates will be in the running for three seats as a councillor for the township, with incumbent Bruce Bergsma being joined in the race by Marg Anderson, Karl MacNaughton and John A. VanBeers. MARG ANDERSON Marg Anderson, a team clerk for the Community Care Access Centre for Huron, is a parent to four children, Lindsay, Brad, Amanda and Matt, with her spinae Jim. Anderson both coaches and plays ball, while she is also involved with Blyth Minor Hockey. She also playa volleyball. W11114 '4. noted that she has rid 'previous political t><periMceAndertfon writes hat 'trine �dbes have her A$CT(A) designation and certificate in Municipal Office Administration. She is currently working towards her certificate in Human Resource Management. She wrote that she is seek- ing.the position because she would like to use some of the knowledge gained by the education listed above. She added that she is interested in the way the taxpayers' dol- lars are being spent, and she is "concerned about the downloading by the provin- cial government and the effect of restructuring and how this will affect the future for ourselves and the youth of the community." BRUCE BERGSMA Bruce Bergsma and his wife Marie are the parents of nine children. The 54 -year- old is a farmer, and also works at the Hensall Co=op. Outlining some of his community involvement, Bergsma stated that he is past -president of the Huron County Pott Producers, and is a member of the Ontario Pak Calyces. He is pretent- ly serving his fourth three- year tern u a director of the Huron County Pork Producers. The incumbent in the race for a councillor's seat'has see ed tt three-year term fag 'dourw'ittor, and served orl'ths Clinton Area litre, Board -ad the Hullett-Blyth Landfill Committee. Na holed teat he Is the position beaauw, would like to serve another three ycar term. Issues like downloading and restructur- ing will have to be dealt with." KARL MACNAUGHTON Karl MacNaughton wrote that he is semi -retired, work- ing as a part-time building inspect for Colborne, Tuckersmith and. West Wawanosh Townships. He ' also serves in the same capacity for Hullett, but could not hold that position while seeking a seat on coun- cil. The 60 -year-old and his wife Annie are parents to six children. MacNaughton has report- ed to four councils as a build- ing official for the past four years. He was formerly a municipal police constable, and served as bylaw officer for the Village of Lucan for nineears. that he is seek- ing the position of council because: "I have the time to take the time to be Involved. "There are tough times coming for the last 'council for the lbwnship of .Mullett as we know it today. The fall out from provincial down- loadingwill. take qualified end lednasd te; to get the bot deslk' • l: sons, David, Paul, Kevin and Bill. He has farmed in Hullett Township for 32 years. VanBeers, who came to Canada with his family at the age of 15 , and lived in Kent County until 1963, was an active member of the Kent County Junior Farmers. Listing some of his politi- cal experiences, he noted he was on the board of directors of the Ontario Federation of Agriculture, and with the Huron Federation of Agriculture (HFA), he was chairman of the properties and land use committee and the public relations commit- tee. In 1987, he was recipi- ents of the outstanding con- tribution to agriculture award from the HFA. He was also chairman of the crop insur- ance review committee, and in 1992, he was chairman of the Huron Emergency Assistance Response Them. He stated that .he is seek- ing the position because, "I enjoy the challenge and the opportunity of serving." He added that he feels that issues and concerns are the current property tax reform, munici- pet restructuring, and having input from farmers on bylaws that affect fanners, V alsoave his personals goal, which Is to neve a tate own viable and family-briented