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Huron Expositor, 2006-03-01, Page 24News The Huron Expositor • March 1, 2006 Page 24 Huron East councillors have mixed reaction to province extending three-year term to four Susan H u n d e r t m a r k could benefit from longer-term plan- ning with four years in office. McKillop Coun. Ferg Kelly says a four-ye-ar term could stop him from running again this fall. "I haven't made my mind up yet but I won't be running if it's four years," he says. Grey Coun. Alvin McLellan says he's a supporter of the four- year term. Huron East Coun. "Lots of times we're Lou Maloney sitting there in year two worrying about committing the next council," he says, adding that four years will allow council to complete more projects. "What's the difference between three and four years - it's not such a big deal," he says. McLellan adds that aligning municipal terms with four-year terms at the provincial level "just makes sense." Brussels Coun. David Blaney sees pros and cons of the four- year term. _ He says it will proba- bly discourage busi- ness owners from run- ning for council, espe- cially in rural areas. "Are we going to lose the business and entrepreneurial. exper- tise? Four years. isn't much more than three but there is such a thing as the straw that broke the camel's / back," he says. Plans by the provincial govern- ment to extend municipal council- lors' terms from three to four years have Some Huron East councillors complaining the extra year will dis- suade people from run- ning for office. But, others welcome the idea as an opportu- nity to get more done at a municipal level. "Boy oh boy, I sure think it's way too long," says Seaforth Coun. Lou Maloney. "I think it works out pretty well now with three years. But, four years is a long commitment and I think it wit'i turn quite a few at council off," he says. "I think it's fine the way it is," adds Tuckersmith Coun. Bill DeJong. Mayor Joe Seili says a four-year term might work in urban areas where councillors are paid enough to consider the position a full-time job, but sees the sug- gestion differently for rural areas. "It's a. lot to ask for a businessman to take' out of his life. And, it's going to eliminate younger people who have full-time jobs and families," he says. Seili says he dedi- cates 15-20 hours a week to municipal busi- ness, a number that has increased by five hours a week over the past few years. Seili says he's suspicious that the four-year term is a precursor to a move by the province to eliminate councils below the county level. "They keep downloading more and more services. This is the next step to a county -wide system," he says. Seili adds that while municipal councillors have been consulted about their opinion on the move, the public has not. "I think the people should decide, not councillors. You (the taxpayer) can't get rid of a councillor for four years this way," he says. Brussels Coun. Frank Stretton says a four-year term makes it tougher for people with full-time jobs to commit to become a council- lor. "For a rookie, it might make a big difference," he says. Stretton admits that councils `Boy oh boy, I sure think it's way too long,' -- `What's the difference between three and four years - it's not such a big deal,'.. . Huron East Coun. Alvin McLellan However, Blaney says he sees that since the first year of the three-year term is spent learning how municipalities oper- ate, a four-year term would allow councillors to be more productive. "It's the element of doing what you're told by the province that's annoying people the most," he says. Grey Coun. Mark Beaven agrees. "It's par for the present Liberal government that we in Queens Park know what's good for you," he says. And, while Beaven was the only Huron East councillor to vote for the move to four-year terms when council responded to a resolution from the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), he says on sec- ond thought, he's disturbed that taxpayers will have less say over who's repre- H. REID ALLEN senting them. can't make a change until "There is no minority situation in years is over," he says. municipal government. The public the four There's something FISHY going. on at Total IfliagelU Help us support the Seaforth Lions Pool • Donate $2 to help our fish find water! For every fish sold, . Total Image II will donate an additional s1: If your "Pool" of fish wins, enjoy a FREE swim! March lst to 31st GAFFNEY ELECTRICAL SOLUTIONS LTD. INSTALLATION • MAINTENANCE • COMROLS MITCHELL OM. 519348.O5i ANNOUNCEMENT! 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