HomeMy WebLinkAboutHuron Expositor, 2003-10-29, Page 7Municipal Election 2003
Incumbent Burgess wants
to provide services to town
Dick Burgess, current
councillor for Seaforth
ward in Huron East, is a
retired teacher from
Seaforth District High
School who manages a
family farm in Tilbury East,
Kent County. He is married
to Jeannette Finnigan, a
Seaforth librarian and has
three children. He is
secretary -treasurer of the
Seaforth community
development trust, a
member of the Seaforth
BIA, past chair of the
Huron East police services
board, past chair of the
Seaforth police services
board and Huron East
representative to the Avon
Maitland District School
Board's accommodation
review process. He is also a
director on the Seaforth
Community Hospital and its
foundation, a director of the
Huron. Hospice volunteer
services and past president
of the Seaforth District
High School school
advisory council.
What inspired you to
run for office in Huron
East?
When I first came to
Seaforth in 1964, the warm
welcome I received from
the community soon made
me realize this was where I
wanted to pursue my career
and raise my family. I have
never regretted that
decision. I chose in the fall
of 2000 to give back of my
time and talents to the
community' in which I
passionately believe. Now,
in the fall of 2003, I wish to
build on the contributions I
have been able to make to
Seaforth and Huron East.
What are the personal
strengths and experience
you bring to the job of
municipal representative?
I have a strong work
ethic. I have demonstrated
in my first term as
councillor that I am
prepared to commit the
time and effort required to
make informed decisions at
council. I listen well. I
appreciate and understand
different points of view. I
have demonstrated that I am
prepared to speak up
vigorously for for the
interests of the ratepayers of
Seaforth ward.
What are the greatest
challenges you see facing
your ward? Huron East?
How to you plan to meet
them if elected?
The greatest challenges
Dick Burgess
facing both Seaforth ward
and Huron East will be to
continue to provide the
services that the members
of our community expect
and deserve: e.g. safe roads
health care, recreation,
clean water, policing, day
care, at a cost that is
affordable. Collectively
Huron East council will
have to grapple with
difficult decisions during
the budget process. I want
to be a part of those
decisions, defending the
interests of the ratepayers of
Seaforth ward, while
considering the good of
Huron East as a whole.
How do you plan to
ensure that council and its
committees, such as the
Seaforth community
development trust,
operate in as. public and
accountable a fashion as
possible?
I support the
recommendation of the
municipal auditor for more
timely reporting of financial
information by the Seaforth
community development
trust to Huron East council.
I have studied and support
the new Ontario Municipal
Act, which requires that
municipal councils be more
open and accountable. In
camera sessions of council
must be limited to certain
restricted topics. On several
occasions, I have reminded
council of this requirement
for openness.
Huron East has been
grappling with a deficit
from the Tuckersmith Day
Nursery and with a
concern about providing
support to daycare centres
throughout the
municipality. What are
your views about the
municipality's
responsibility in regards
to daycare?
I look at the daycare issue
both from the standpoint of
a parent whose four
children have attended the
Seaforth Co -Operative
Children's Centre, and from
the standpoint of a taxpayer
and councillor representing
Seaforth ward. Providing
quality, affordable day care
makes economic good
sense for Seaforth and
Huron East. If we are to
attract young people to live
and work in our
community, affordable day
care is essential. We must
provide a balanced level of
support that is fair to all
regions of the municipality.
What are your views
about how well
amalgamation is working
for Huron East?
The members of Huron
East council are doing a
better job than many
neighbouring
municipalities in dealing
with the challenges of
amalgamation We will
continue to do better as an
amalgamated municipality
as we learn to appreciate
the needs, and the strengths
of the various parts of
Huron East.
What are your views
about economic
development in Huron
East?
I have been a strong
supporter of economic
development in Huron East
since the beginning of my
term on Huron East council
in 2001 for many reasons.
For generations, our young
people have been the most
valuable export from this
area. I want our young
people to have the
opportunity of returning to
this area to work and raise
their families in the
community of their roots. I
want to keep taxes down.
Taxes can only be kept
down by increasing -the
commercial and industrial
tax base, and by adding
productive, tax -paying
workers and their families
to our community. Huron
East council, on Oct. 21,
passed a motion extending
the contract of Ralph
Laviolette, economic
development officer, to
2004, and a motion to
significantly increase the
budget for economic
development. This action
signals a major shift among
councillors towards
supporting economic
development from our first
tentative beginnings in
2001.
Maloney's priority is more
industry/jobs for Seaforth
Lou Maloney is married to
Therese and they have two
daughters. He is the owner
of the Seaforth Laundromat
and Seaforth bake shop and a
member of St. James Church
and the Seaforth Knights of
Columbus. He has 10 years'
experience as a trustee in
Dublin, six years' experience
as trustee for the Huron -
Perth Catholic School Board,
three years' experience as
councillor for Hibbert
Township and six years'
experience as councillor for
West Perth, Hibbert ward.
What inspired you to run
for office in Huron East?
I have been in business
most of my life and I enjoy
working for and with people.
What are the personal
strengths and experience
you bring to the job of
municipal representative?
I have been involved in
politics for 25 years. I also
have lots of time to serve the
people of Seaforth ward.
What are the greatest
challenges you see racing
your ward? Buren East?
How de year plan to meet
theft lf
My number onety is
to get industry in Sesforth to
create jobs. Local jobs keep
our "young people in town
and shopping locally. Empty
stores on Otic Main Sheet aro
not good for the town. If
Lou Maloney
elected, I intend to spend a
lot of time trying to get
industry in Seaforth.
How do you plan to
ensure that council and its
committees, such as the
Seaforth community
development trust, operate
in as public and
accountable a fashion as
possible?
As for the Seaforth
community trust fund, I
think the committee was
structured wrong. If elected,
1 would like to change how
the committee functions so
the council and ratepayers of
Seaforth ward know how the
committee is spending this
money.
Huron East has been
ra:pliag with a deficit
the 1bckernlfth Day
Nursery and with a
concern about providing
support to daycare centres
throughout the
municipality. What are
your views about the
municipality's
responsiblity in regards to
daycare?
I think daycare centres are
very important and they
should have grants from
Huron East and every
daycare centre should be
funded equally.
What are your views
about how well
amalgamation is working
for Huron East? How
would you seek to improve
the situation?
I do not like to read in the
local papers how council is
bickering from ward to ward.
I would like to try and create
harmony on council. I sat on
West Perth amalgamated
council for six years and our
meetings went really well.
We did not always agree but
got along well. You can
disagree without fighting.
What are your views
about economic
development in Huron
East? Are you satisfied
with the direction Huron
Brat is going is attracting
new businesses and
proantiag what the area
MB to of r?
I think there has to be a lot
more done.
THE HURON EXPOSITOR, °CToawn 29, 2003-7
Steffler wants to see water
system up to new standards
Joe Steffler has been married
to current Huron East Mayor
Lin Steffler for 36 years and
they have one son and two
grandchildren. He is second
vice-president of the Seaforth
Lions, co-chair of the Seaforth
Santa Claus Parade, and chair
of the community betterment
committee. He serves on the
executive of the Royal
Canadian Legion Branch 156
Seaforth, co-chairing the recent
kitchen renovation project. He
is a provincial director on the
Association of Road
Supervisors, representing the
Huron County Road
Supervisors' Association for
the past seven years. He was
recently appointed to review
grants for the local Trillium
Foundation. He is an active
member of St. James Church.
What inspired you to run
for office in Huron East?
Having worked for County
of Huron highways department
since 1970, I have always been
interested in municipal
government. I am going to
retire in 2004 and will have the
time to devote to the work that
has to be done. I have a strong
desire to someday be the
warden of Huron County.
What are the personal
strengths and experience you
bring to the job of municipal
representative?
Being a municipal employee
for the past 33 1/2 years and in
middle management since
1981, I feel that my experience
preparing and managing a
budget of approximately $1
million yearly gives me great
knowledge in how to
administer the tax dollar in
getting the best bang for your
buck. "Cheap always isn't the
best way to spend tax dollars."
Also, I served for 11 years as a
Public Utilities Commissioner
for the town of Seaforth. I was
quite proud of our
accomplishments, buying new
equipment with not one penny
borrowed. Also, we did water
main upgrades every year so
that we would not end up with
a system that was continually
deteriorating. To my
knowledge, water main
upgrades are not being done
since the municipality took the
Joe Steffler
water over from the P.U.C.
What are the greatest
challenges you see facing
your ward? Huron East?
How to you plan to meet
them if elected?
One of the greatest
challenges facing Seaforth is
getting the water system back
up to Ministry of Environment
standards as quickly as
possible. The ratepayers of
Seaforth are looking at a huge
financial obligation in the near
future to do so. I believe Huron
Fast should lobby the Ontario
government for assistance. One
of the greatest challenges
facing Huron East is getting all
five municipalities to act as
one. Even the thought of going.
back to five municipalities is
ludicrous. With all the money
that has been spent to
amalgamate and then just throw
it away is a very big disservice
to the taxpayers of Huron Fast.
I plan to support all five wards.
How do you plan to ensure
that council and its
committees, such as the
Seaforth community
development trust, operate in
as public and accountable a
fashion as possible?
I believe all committees
should report to council
providing that the subject
matter is not coming from an
."in camera session" where
personnel and real estate
transactions are being
discussed. As a present
member of the Seaforth trust, I
believe our two council reps
should have been more open
with council. I also am very
pleased that we as the Seaforth
community development trust
stepped up to the plate and
purchased the post office. My
personal belief is that Huron
East would not have purchased
the post office leaving a very
large building on Seaforth's
main street to fall down. I will
make sure council is kept up to
speed on the happenings at the
Seaforth trust.
Huron East bas been
grappling with a deficit from
the Tuckersmith Day
Nursery and with a concern
about providing support to
daycare centres throughout
the municipality. What are
your views about the
municipality's responsibility
in regards to daycare?
First of all, I think the day
nursery is subsidizing the
Vanastra Rec Centre by the
amount of rent and hydro they
are paying to the rec centre. All
these figures must be looked at
very carefu4 I firmly believe
that Huron East has a
responsibility to provide
support to any of the three
daycare centres in Huron East
whether municipally or
privately -operated.
What are your views about
how well amalgamation is
working for Huron East?
I think amalgamation has
gone fairly well in Huron Fast
compared to other areas.
Amalgamation was not wanted
in any area. However:it was
demanded by the province oat
-
the idea that it would save
money. I will encourage the
next council to be more
proactive rather than reactive
when discussing the future of
Huron East keeping in mind
what is good for one ward is
good for the all of Huron Fast.
What are your views about
economic development in
Huron East?
I think Huron Fast has a lot
to offer with one of the largest
cattle sales barns in Ontario in
Brussels and a railway line
running through Seaforth. I
will promote the municipality's
budget for economic
development and retain an
economic development officer
for Huron East. I think more
land in Seaforth has to be
purchased adjacent to the rail
line to take advantage of this
resource.
trefifir
HURON EAST
PUBLIC NOTICE
MUNICIPALITY OF HURON EAST
2 03 MUNICIPAL ELECTION
OTICE OF POLL
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN to the Municipal Electors of the former municipalities of Brussels, Grey,
McKillop, Seaforth & Tuckersmith, in the County of Huron that in compliance with the Municipal
Elections Act, a ballot will be held on MONDAY NOVEMBER 10TH. 2003, FOR THE OFFICES OF:
Mayor one (1) to be elected by all Wards
Deputy -Mayor -one (1) to be elected by all Wards
Grey Ward Councillor two (2) to be elected
Seaforth Ward Councillor two (2) to be elected
English Language Public School Trustee one (1) to be elected by English Public.
(Avon Maitland District School Board) School Electors
The voting places will be open from 10:00 a.m. and will close at 8:00 p.m. at the following locations:
Bnrssel4 Ward
Poll *1 Comprising all properties in the
Village of Brussels
Grey Ward
Poll *1 Concession 1 to 4 inclusive, All Lots
Poll #2 Concession 5 to 8 inclusive, All Lots
Concession 9 Lots I 1 to 35 inclusive
Poll #3 Concession 9 to 18 inclusive, Lots 1 to 10
(except the Village of Brussels)
Poll #4 Concession 10 to 18 inclusive, Lots 11 to 35
McKillop Ward
All Polls Entire Township of McKillop
SmitorthiYard
All Polls Entire Town of Seaforth
PoII #1 Lob 1 to 9 inclusive, Concession I HRS
Lots I to 10 inclusive, Concession 2 HRS
Lots 1 to 10 inclusive, Concession 3 HRS
All that portion of Egmondvilk east of Kippen Road
Poll #2 Lots 12 to 20 inclusive, Concession 1 HRS
Lots I1 to 15 inclusive, Concession 2 HRS
Lots 11 to 15 inclusive, Concession 3 HRS
All that portion of Egmondvilk west of Kippen Road
Poll #3 Lots 26 to 40 inclusive, Concession 1 LRS
Lots 26 to 40 inclusive, Concession 2 LRS
Lots 26 to 40 inclusive, Concession 3 LRS
Lots 26 to 32 inclusive, Concession 4 LRS
All Lots on Concession 5, 6 and 7 LRS
Lots 21 to 30 inclusive, Concession I HRS
Lots 16 to 30 inclusive, Concession 2 HRS
Lots 16 to 3b ii elusive, Concession 3 HRS
Lots 21 to 26 inicluisive, Concession 4 HRS
Lots 21 to 24 inclusive, Concession 5 NRS
Lots 1 to 25 inclusive, Concession I LRS
Lots 1 to 25 inclusive, Concession 2 LRS
Lots 1 to 25 inclusive, Concession 3 LRS
Las 15 to 25 inclusive, Concession 4 LRS
All Lots on Concession 6 so 15 HRS inclusive
Lob 1 to 14 inclusive, Concession 4 HRS
Las 1 to 14 Inclusive, Concession 5 HRS
AU Lots on Concessions 1, 2 and 3 LRS
North of Lot 40 - Huronview (County Home)
Aq t.ots on Concession 1, 2 and 3 HRS west of La 30
Aad Registered Pens 131 and 133 known as Vanastra
Pull #4
Poll n5
Po11 06
voting Place
Brussels Moms Grey
Community Centre
Grey Municipal Building
Grey Municipal Building
Brussels Moms Grey
Community Centre
Cranbrook Community
Centre
McKillop Township
Work Centre
Northside United Church
Egmondville United Church
Egmondville United Church
Brucefield United Church
Tuckersmith Communications
Huronview
Vanastra Recreation Centre
ADYNNIZZQUAL
Someday November 1st, 2003 between the hours or 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.
M
VOIING
Brum& & Grey Wards Brussels Maris Grey Community Centre
McKibp, Seaforth & Tockesn ith Wards Mauicipat (Mice, Seaforth
Moms voting will be held for the purpose of receiving the votes d electors who.eapect to be cable to vote on the
regal" %dog .
A catiRale lo rale by proxy may be obtained at the Office of the Clerk, weekdays between 8:30 a.m. fwd 5:00 p.m.
The last day for making application to the Clerk for a certificate to vote by proxy is 5:00 p.m. November 10th, 2003.
J.R. McL.ad.t
Ret.ra arta► • 2003likaioai
Mwkipolity of Halla Wit.