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The Huron Expositor • October 4, 2006 ' Page 7
After 18 years, Bill DeJong taking
a break from municipal politics
Susan Hundertmark
After 18 years in municipal poli-
tics, Bill DeJong is taking a break -
but he's not sure he's not coming
back sometime in the future.
"This is not necessarily a retire-
ment - it's hard to tell if
I'll come back to politics.
After so long, I definite-
ly need a break," says
the Tuckersmith
farmer.
Beginning on
Tuckersmith Township
council in 1988, DeJong
wanted to serve the
municipality he thought
had been good to his
family since he emigrat-
ed from Holland in
1949.
"We had a vision to
have all the
Tuckersmith roads paved
the Vanastra community. A lot of
people have taken it to heart that
the facility could be replaced in 10
years," he says, referring to a public
meeting council held close to a year
ago asking the community if it
wanted to plan for a new or upgrad-
ed facility during the
next decade.
He says he's also
been a strong sup-
porter of low taxes
but warns council
that capital projects
can't be put off too
long.
"When you run into
extra expenses, the
easiest place to cut is
capital projects but
sometimes it's better
to raise taxes and
have the roads in bet-
ter condition," he
says.
DeJong says his
years on council, both Tuckersmith
and Huron East, have been "very
satisfying and rewarding" but he's
glad someone with different ideas
and viewpoints will be taking over,
for awhile at least.
"It's disappointing there .isn't
more interest out there in munici-
pal politics," he says.
is isnot
necessarily a
retirement -
hard to tell if
4001e.
to politics, '-
Tuckersmiih Com.
like they did in McKillop but it
didn't happen. We did replace quite
a few of our bridges though and I'm
very proud of that," says DeJong.
DeJong has been a .strong sup-
porter of Vanastra during his
tenure oncouncil and he's hoping
that the community's needs are
answered when its recreation cen-
tre is either renovated or replaced.
"The recreation centre needs to
remain there - it's a viable part of
Municipal election
promises four races
in Huron East
Susan Hundertmark
There are four races in Huron
East for this fall's municipal elec-
tion.
Incumbent Mayor Joe Seili is
being challenged by Seaforth Coun.
Lou Maloney for the mayor's posi-
tion.
In McKillop ward with the retire-
ment of both incumbents Sharon
McClure and Ferg Kelly, two new
faces - Andrew Flowers and Jim
Floyd and municipal veteran Bill
Siemon are vying for the two avail-
able positions.
In Brussels ward, both incum-
bents, David Blaney .and Frank
Stretton are seeking re-election and
are being challenged by newcomer
to municipal politics John Harrison.
In Grey ward, four candidates are
seeking the two positions on Huron
East council. Incumbent Alvin
McLellan is seeking re-election
while being challenged by munici-
pal newcomers Orville Bauer and
Dave Joslin and former Grey
lbwnship councillor Dale Newman.
Grey incumbent Mark Beaven is
running for council in Morris-
Turnberry after moving to that
municipality.
In Seaforth ward, both positions
are acclaimed by incumbent Joe
Steffler and newcomer Bob Fisher.
Tuckersmith's two representa-,
tives are also acclaimed by incum-
bent Larry McGrath and newcomer
Les Falconer. Incumbent Bill
DeJong has decided not to run in
this election.
Also acclaimed for this term is
Huron East's deputy -mayor, Bernie
MacLellan.
Bill DeJong
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