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Home My WebLink AboutHuron Expositor, 2007-05-23, Page 7The Huron Expositor • May 23, 2007 Page 7 News -Valenta to run again as independent candidate Clinton trucker not -sure whether to run provincially or federally in next election Cheryl Heath aREMEREMEED Dennis Valenta will run again. The Clintonian, who ran as an independent in the 2006 federal election, says the plan is to again run for office, though he is not sure whether he'll toss his hat into the provincial or federal ring. Valenta, a trucker who is currently developing a property in downtown Clinton, says family -law issues are his No, 1 concern. And, he says, it seems neither Huron-Bruee's provincial nor federal representative is keen on championing the cause for change. "I have an issue with family law but it goes far beyond that," says Valenta, adding he has become increasingly frustrated by the seeming lack of support or concern from federal and provincial constituency offices. He notes in the past he has collected 3,500 sig- natures on a petition calling for change to family law. But, when he brought it to the MP and MPP's constituency offices, "they seemed not interested." In essence, says Valenta, it seems like once someone is elected, he/she no longer listens to the electorate. Agriculture is another area of con- cern for Valenta, who alleges neither the MPP or MP has accomplished much for farmers either. Valenta says the government's "cheap -food policy" lies at the root of the problem and that "reelecting another political party guy isn't going to solve the problems." "It really doesn't matter what the Story idea? Call Susan or Aaron at 527-0240 S MY BIABYT!" MOTHER'S 1):vY Winners! KRISTEN & EVELYN WALSH, Egmondville $100 in Seaforth BIA Bucks PAULENE BENNETT, Seaforth $50 in Seaforth BIA Bucks Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all who entered! Dennis Valenta with Bit! Sheri, the Old Car Detective`r.1 To ¥OUBY HEARTLAND TO YUU BY CREDIT UNION MARG ARDIEL REMEMBERS HER 1973 FIREBIRD By Bill Sherk "The Old Car Detective" General Motors began building the Poptiac Firebird in 1967. Six years later, a young woman in Kingsville, Ontario purchased a new 1973 Pontiac Esprit V-8 coupe. She remembers it well: "Suddenly single in 1972 after the death of my husband and high school sweetheart, I was thrown into a new life not of my choosing at 22 Years of age. Even though I worked as a full-time legal secretary, I learned very quickly first hand the discrimination that existed at that time regarding women and financial matters. "Banks at that time could refuse a loan or home mortgage based on accepting only one-third of a woman's income because she might 'start a family.' So there I was with no credit rating and trying to make my way in this new life with roadblocks that today's young women would find unbelievable. "I set about buying a house and getting credit cards in my name, and 33 years later, even through remarriage, I am still fiercely protective of the credit rating I built in my own name. "With this in mind, in 1973 I decided that 1 would sell my late hus- band's 1971 Firebird and purchase my first car - a 1973 Firebird Esprit. Fortunately, my brother, Robert Quick, was an engineer with General Motors in Oshawa, and i was able to buy my Firebjrd through him (he later retired after 40 years with General Motor as a Director of Advanced Vehicle Integration, North American Engineering). "I was 'on the road' to my new life in my new 1973 Firebird Esprit that was 'Florentine Red' with an orange stripe and a 350 cubic inch American Pontiac engine turning out 15o horsepower. Air conditioning consisted of rolling down the windows, and i motored along listening to Elton John's 1973 hit, 'Goodbye Yellow Brick Road' on the radio - without cassette. in 1973, GM first offered a cassette player as an option, but very few people bought it, preferring to stay with their eight -track players! "The Firebird's Endura rubber nose had been strengthened to titre(' inches thick with a steel reinforcement bar in order to meet the govern- ment's new five -mile -per -hour impact mandate and was the last year for it before changing to fibreglass. "in 1973 General Motors produced 46,313 Firebirds, of which 17,249 were Esprits, at its long -ago -closed Norwood, Ohio, plant. Firebird sales dropped by 5o% in 1973 due to the energy crisis that saw gasoline go from 35 cents (US) to 75 cents per gallon, and higher insurance rates. "Those were troubled times for all car manufacturers as well as General Motors. Rising gas prices, insurance, new government regula- tions, and labour issues - all this contributed to the market and global economy we have today." Do you have any car stories or photos to share with our readers? Email: bill@carstory.com or write Bill Sherk, 33 Oak St. E., P.O. Box 10012 I,caminton ON N811 2C' people say any more," he says, adding that it is his belief once in office, politicians forget about the electorate that put them there. As for running as an independent, Valenta says being free of any political -party affiliation means he need not toe the party line when addressing his constituents. "I don't feel like I need to be aligned with a party," he says. "Being an independent, you have the freedom to stand up and speak the mind of the people." Ultimately, he says, the foundation for a strong community is an environment where a family unit can flourish. "The family is the foundation of a healthy or unhealthy society," he says. Valenta, who has four children, has volun- teerism experience that includes senior -citizen visitation at Huronview, work with the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and lobbying work for Fathers Are Capable Too (FACT). To learn more about Valenta, visit www.vote- valenta-in.com. Church Services You are invited to attend these area churches St. Thomas Anglican Church A Cagregaem of Vie Parch of the Hdl' Sprit Jarvis St. Seaforth 519-527-1522 Rector The Rev'd Sue Malpus M Div Sunday, May 27 DAY OF PENTECOST JOINT PARISH WORSHIP AT 11:15AM KID -ZONE children's program at 11:15 am followed by Pot -Luck meal Note; Time Change this week Everyone Welcome St. James Roman Catholic Church Welcomes you 14 Victoria Street, Seaforth 519-527-0142 Weekend Masses: Sat 5:15 pm Sun. 11:00 am Fr. Chris Gillespie Bethel Bible Church An Associated Gospel Church 126 Main St. Seaforth 519-527-0982 Sunday School 9:45 am Sunday Worship 11:00 am Pastor Mark Kennedy EVERYONE WELCOME Egmondville United Church Pastor Steve Hildebrand Sunday, May 27 WORSHIP 11 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL 10AM NORTHSIDE UNITED CHURCH 54 Goderich St. W. Rev. John Gould Sunday May 27th Worship at 11:OOam Sermon: `Becoming Who You Are" All Welcome Sunday School 8 Nursery During Worship First Presbyterian Church Goderich St. W., Seaforth .Rev. Henry Huberts Sunday May 27 11:15 am service Sunday School & Nursery Provided. Everyone Welcome