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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2004-03-24, Page 5News Most Huron -Bruce Conservatives voted for Harper as federal leader By Marr Wilson and Matt Shurrie He may not have been her first choice for party leader, but Huron -Bruce Conservative candidate Barb Fisher is fully supportive of Stephen Harper as the newly elected leader of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC). "We expect him 'to be the next prime minister," Fisher, who will run as the CPC Huron -Bruce candidate in the next federal election, said in a Mar. 22 interview. Although she supported Tony Clement in his bid to lead the newly merged party, Fisher said Harpers experience, vision and the incredible gains he made in nurturing support throughout Canada during the leadership ' campaign will serve him well. "There will be a place for Tony, perhaps as a cabinet minister," she said, predicting Canadians are no longer prepared to tolerate "a government that isn't honest or accountable." Huron -Bruce Conservative supporters overwhelmingly supported Harper as 51.89 per cent cast a ballot in favour of the former Canadian Alliance leader. Belinda Stronach, the former Magna International CEO placed second with 35.13 per cent followed by Clement in third with 12.97 per cent. According to Huron -Bruce Conservative riding association president Brian Treble only 375 of a possible 950 cast a leadership ballot last Saturday in Wingham. "The whole process has generated a lot of interest," Treble said. "Locally there were people voting for Belinda and Stephen Harper but there wasn't a lot of support for Tony Clement." Despite the low voter turnout -Treble said he had hoped to get between 40-50 per cent of registered voters out - membership in the Huron -Bruce Conservative association has surpassed 1,000. "(The support) is definitely bigger and better," Treble said r of local interest since the former Canadian Alliance and Progressive Conservative parties became one united Conservative front. "We've come a long way in a short time. "It's definitely boosted the energy of the party. There's very little to none of that fraction happening in the local riding." Treble also expressed strong support after Harper named former PC Party leader Peter MacKay to the post of deputy leader of the Conservative Party of Canada on Monday. Fisher said she believes Harper's first order of business will be to fine-tune the party's platform policy. "It's easy to criticize the Liberals, but we have to make sure we can answer back with sound policy," she said. Fisher also said she believes, as opposition leader, Harper will have an opportunity to cement growing party unity - something which isn't an issue on the homefront. "I'm so pleased with how things have gone at the local level," she said. "It's so good. Everyone is united in one cause. I have a large team that's been working really hard and we are ready to go just as soon as the election is called." Fisher believes that Liberal Prime Minister Paul Martin will call the election "sooner than later" (by June) primarily because the present inquiry into the sponsorship scandal "continues to unveil new negatives on an almost daily basis." "Martin really can't afford to wait," she said, noting that it's an issue which isn't going to'go away. "People want change." she said. "It's time to put together a platform that people can relate to, a government that provides honesty and accountability." And Fisher believes the time is right for the new party. Although she acknowledges that Quebec is still a "target spot" for Harper, Fisher is quick to point out that he has made incredible inroads in Ontario as well as Atlantic Canada. "I think he has enough time to gain support," she said. "It's not like the Liberals are making any gains in Quebec." Stephe n Harper Election rumours swirl as Huron - Bruce selects local candidates By Matt Shurrie Goderich SignOl-star Editor Talk of an impending federal election continued to run rampant on Parliament Hill last week. Despite a recent drop in the polls — thanks largely to the sponsorship - scandal — speculation continues to swirl that Prime Minister Paul Martin will soon announce plans for a spring election. "Obviously there's been a long-standing view that probably sometime this spring we will be going to the polls and I guess for all intents and purposes probably that hasn't changed very much," Huron - Bruce MP Paul Steckle said. Steckle denied a report circulating last week that indicated Martin had recently met with his Ontario MPs to discuss election strategy. If there was such a meeting, Steckle said, he was not invited. "I think there's been some talk that the prime minister probably- fuzzed the waters a little bit when he said that we would go (to the polls) when people have some clear understanding that we'rc getting to the bottom (of the sponsorship scandal). "As far as I'm concerned he's done that." Steckle said it's important to let the investigation process take its course — something that continues to develop with the recent dismissal of the heads of three Crown corporations. "I think they're moving quickly," Steckle said. "(Martin) has shown that it doesn't matter who you are . You're going to go if you're found having your hand in the cookie jar and I have no reason to doubt that he's going to continue." Steckle's only confirmed opponent to date is Barb Fisher who will represent the Conservative Party of Canada. The Huron -Bruce New Democratic Party will hold its nomination meeting On Saturday, March 27 at 2 p.m. at the Lawn Bowling Club in Goderich. Grant Robertson. a candidate in last fall's provincial election, and Hank Last week's pump tests will determine if Welsh Street well can provide Seaforth's water By Sara Campbell Expositor Staff The Welsh Street well in Seaforth is back online. Public Works Coordinator John Forrest told Huron East council on March 16 that Hopper Well Drilling conducted a 72 -hour pump test last week at the Welsh Street well to determine the amount of water the well can yield on an ongoing basis. "The Welsh Street water well had been taken off line to conduct pump tests for future upgrades," said Forrest. Those upgrades — listed in the Seaforth water supply master plan, a 500 - page binder by American Water Service which is available for viewing at the town hall — includes filters, UV disinfection, a new generator, a standby well, low lift and high lift pumps and clearwell storage for $1.5 million. An additional $200,000 for engineering and hydrogeology brings the total cost to $1.7 million. AWS planned to test Welsh Street at a level of 3,800 cubic metres a day is ensure water quality and quantity is maintained. "In order to conduct this teat, we had to bring the Chalk Street well online," said Forrest. The Chalk Street well, which has not been in use for close to a year, exceeded the Ontario Drinking Water Standards for radon, uranium and radium, however, the medical officer of health and the ministry of environment indicated that there was no immediate health risk, said Forrest. "We were given permission from the Ministry of Environment and the Health Unit to bring the well hack online." he said. Council now .has to wait until mid -summer to sec the results of an engineer's study, by B.M. Ross and Assoicates Ltd., of whether or not the Welsh Street well can provide enough water for Seaforth at an acceptable quality. WIN A RPRRAMI Enter NOW to win your freedom from smoking. Go to www.itsEasyltWorks.com and fill out the ballot or call 1-866-976-6537 to enter. 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"1 can't predict when the election is going to he," Steckle said. "1 don't really see it being moved very much off target from where it was supposed to be but I suspect sometime before now and the end of June." LAWN .QUESTIONS? Organic Programs Available lirped7vcia, 524-2424 -Trust the Professionals - • THE HURON EXPOSITOR, MARCH 24, 2004--a When It Comes To Protecting Your Assets.... Turn to the Professionals at GRAY INSURANCE BROKERS INC. Specializing in ALLAN CARTER LORI TiEMAN • Farm - Commercial — Auto -- Properly 5 MAIN STREET, SOUTH SEAFORTH, ON (519)527-2500 Open Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. - OR by appolnment it needed f 4 Air 41r -sr entral Huron NOTICE TO THE RATEPAYERS OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF CENTRAL HURON Interim Tax Bills first installment is due March 31st, 2004. If you wish to use the monthly pre -authorized payment plan, please contact the Municipal Office prior to December 31st, 2004 for the 2005 taxation year. BEREAN COVENANT CHURCH A CHURCH PLANT OF GRACE TRINITY COMMUNITY CHURCH 527-0029 Fellowship at 7:00 pm Pastoral Team: Pastor Bob Penhearow Pastor Ron Matthews Pastor Royal Hamel You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Congregation of the Parish of The Holy Spirit Jarvis St. Seatorth Fr Michael Atkins Pansh Office 527-1522 The Fifth Sunday of Lent Worship at 9:30 a m Prayer Group - Wednesday March 31 at 700 p.m Handers Messiah - Wednesday March 31 at 730 p.m Catholic Church St. James RC Church 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 527-0142 Weekend Masses Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am St. Colurnban RC Church Saturday Mass at 7:30 pm Father Lance Magdziak Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship Hour 11 am Jim Wyllie - Pastor B& G Club Wed. 7 p.m. Youth Group Wed. 7 p.m. Egmondville United Church Sunday School 10:00 am Worship Service 11:00 am Sunday March 28 Steve Hildebrand Lay Pastoral Minister In training Coming Events Wednesday. Mar. 24 730 pm 'Blue Jeans and Communion' NORTHSIDE - CAVAN UNITED CHURCHES Cavan 9 30 a m MOO 00 a m. Northside Winthropoderich inthrop 54 Godench St W Sunday March 28, 2004 Guest Speaker: Rev. Jane Kuepfer Sacrament of Hoy Communion Cavan Sunday Brunch following service First Presbyterian Church St. W. Seaforth Minister Rev. Ted Nelson Sunday, March 28 11:15 a.m. Get your tickets for the Roast Beef Supper - Apnl 18 5-630 pm cube...derv; in Vincent Farm Equipment - Exeter Store March 30th 11 am-7pm Vincent Farm Equipment - Seaforth Store April 1st 11 am-7pm See the 2004 models including... 24HP - 50" Lawn Tractor Model LT 1024 •24.0 HP BBS Intek ELS OHV Engine •50' Quick Attach Mowing Deck •Hydrostatic Transmission w/Cruise Control *Full -Pressure Lubrication •6 -Position Deck Height Adjustment .12 -Gauge Welded Steel Chassis 014' Cushion -Grip Steering Wheel *Lock Down Parking Brake Z -Force 48 22HP - Zero -Turn Rider 022.0 HP B&S Intek V -Twin Engine •48' Floating, Stamped Deck *Zero Turning Radius •Electric Start •Dual Hydro •Electric PTO •Full -Pressure Lubrication *Digital Hourmeter 23HP - 54" Mid -Mount Zero Turn Commercial Mower Model M54 -KW 023 HP Kawasaki V -Twin OHV Engine .54' Fabricated Deck with Command Cut System *Electric Deck PTO •Integrated Dual Hydro Transmission •3 -Way Adjustable Lap Bars •9 MPH Max Ground Steed .Twin 5 Gallon Fuel Tanks Full Pressure Engine Lubrication tuLdjuLly SEAFORTH 527-0120 EXETER 235-2121 www.teamvincent.com FARM EQUIPMENT LIMITED r♦