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HomeMy WebLinkAboutTimes Advocate, 1997-10-22, Page 6Page 6 limes -Advocate, Uctober 22, 199/ Both of these candidates want to be elected Mayor of Exeter Ben Hoogeboom Dear Fellow Citizen: I would like to take this opportunity to say that it has been an honour to serve you as your Mayor for the past three years. I give great credit to our members of council and our staff who have made my job easier because of their hard work and dedication. Much of what council has dealt with over the last three years has been geared towards the future growth of the town. One of the first projects council dealt with was the proposed new Co -Op north of Exeter in Hay Township. Council met with Reeve Murray Keys and Deputy -Reeve Jim Love to negotiate a way for us to provide them with water and sewage hookup. This project has culminated in a boundary adjustment effective January 1, 1998 whereby the Co -Op will officially become part of Exeter along with some lands directly north and west of the Co -Op. A major improvement has also.taken place with our roads in this part of Exeter, namely Walper Street. In the southeast part of town, Council has worked very hard with Mr. Jack Taylor so that residential lots could be developed on both sides of Pryde Boulevard South. This has greatly improved the flow of traffic connecting Huron St. to Sanders St. Several years ago we had started to look at the expansion of our lagoons along with our neighbour, Stephen Township. A joint project, which would greatly benefit both. The town of Exeter has not purchased the lands directly north of the lagoons. This project will allow Exeter to grow to a population of approximately 9000. Last year land was purchased to the east of our landfill site. This additional buffer would ensure a capacity for Exeter's use only of approximately 60 years. This is great planning! In 1995 and into 1996 talks centered around amalgamation with our surrounding municipalities. Although we decided not to proceed, after countless meetings, we learned a great deal about our neighbours and their concerns. Council has left an open door to any future negotiation. Perhaps the most difficult time for our community was in 1996 with the Hospital restructuring process. I must commend our community for coming together to • collectively voice its concerns over the threat of Hospital closure. This battle was waged on many fronts: The many people from Lambton, Middlesex and South Huron who attended the public meetings; the letters written by knowledgeable hospital staff, medical staff and board members outlining the many problems with the D.H.C.'s recommendations and also offering viable solutions; the Hospital CEOs who worked together to find solutions which would meet the Ministry's cutbacks; the great job E.M.T. did videotaping your involvement made the difference. The cuts in transfer payments and general downloading that have faced us over the past three years have forced us to look at internal restructuring. This year we have reduced our town staff by four. The remaining job descriptions are being revised. The future council must be able to adapt to the changes that will be forced upon it. No other council in the history of Exeter has ever been faced with these tough decisions. I am committed to work with council and staff to face these challenges. Council has done a great job during the last three years. Our town looks great! I ask for your support on Monday, Nov. 10. I do promise to serve you to the best of my ability. tiiktirtt A well prepared resume will help you get the job you are looking for! A resume detailing an applicant's work history and education is extremely helpful to an employer who is seeking a person for a specific job vacancy. Your personal resume should accompany your letter of application. Here are some guidelines to follow in preparing your resume: O Make it clear, concise and easy to read - and no longer than two pages O The resume should be typed on 8 1/2" x 11" white paper with enough white space to prevent a cluttered look O Start with your name, address and phone number ❑ Next under a sub -heading "Work History" detail the previous jobs you've held - in reverse date order - that is, last job first. O Use a separate paragraph for each position and precede it with the dates you held that position. O State the job'title, a brief description of the responsibilities - and the results you achieved. O The next section of your resume should come under the sub -heading of "Education". Start with the highest degree obtained or grade completed, followed by the name of the institution at which you studied. Follow this with previous education attainments. At the end, list any specific instructional courses you have attended in conjunction with your work. O Under the sub -heading "Affiliations", list memberships and/or offices held in professional or industry associations. O Under the stab -heading "Personal Interests" list any activities which you feel will be of interest to the employer - such as volunteer work, etc. Your letter of application and your resume will be the factors that make the employer decide whether to short list you for an Interview. 5o make it as Impressive as you can - but stick to the facts. We can help you get an impressive and professional -looking resume CaII Debbie Lord at 424 Main St. Exeter (519) 235-1331 Bruce Shaw When I retired three years ago after many (what some would term) successful years as mayor, I sincerely intended to leave politics and enjoy the good life. It wasn't long, however, when my interest in local politics took me back to council 'meetings, this time with a -different perspective - the 'political reporter for the TA'. From this vantage point, I was able to keep abreast of the issues facing council, never really losing touch and keeping my interest alert. When our hospital was threatened with closure, I was asked to serve on a citizens committee to plan a response. Later, along with others, I was asked to present our proposal to the District Health Council's Task Force. The presentation was forceful and persuasive, as Exeter's plan, with minor changes, was adopted by the Board of Health and the Ministry, It became apparent that 1 was tied to Exeter. At the same time, amalgamation talks were going on all over the Province. Those of us interested in the subject were amazed to see what happened in Kent County, and I for one could see only the catastrophe waiting for us if Huron County were to dictate how we are to do business in Exeter and South Huron. People asked me if I would consider another term in office, and I replied, 'No. There has to be another way.' As 1 looked at options, my fear that others may be shaping our future grew. As I contemplated a return -my friends offered mixed advice. Three said, 'You've done enough. You don't need the b.s. I don't know how you put up with it before.' Others countered. 'You know what's going on. You can talk to these people. Amalgamation is a scary prospect. Run.' I thought for a long time and realized that I am committed to this town, having been involved in minor sports, Sunday school, several charitable organizations and community groups, town council and, of course, my profession for over -30 years. I concluded if I can be of use, and the electors agree, I will do what I can. At this critical period, you want your mayor to have two qualities: proven leadership skills and Tots of experience. You want someone who will promise you nothing other than hard work and commitment, for you know that no politician on his or her own can deliver on any other promise; individually we don't hire, fire, pave or spend - everything is a group action. And the group needs a strong leader. As a leader, 1 headed councils for 18 years. I tried to bring consensus on issues before council through persuasion, humour, pleading and even pretended impatience (although, at times, it was probably real). I presented options, stating the advantages of each and trying to mediate the differing opinions. I worked behind the scenes to establish compromises. I bring to any bargaining table humour, frankness and a desire to find solutions where everyone has a chance to win, (To be honest, it doesn't always work.) A leader must be creative and must have a vision. The leader must be forceful when it's time to be strong and conciliatory when it's time to compromise, but the leader can never forget that he or she can lead only if others are willing to follow. Leadership, in a word, is about people. I have spent my entire adult life working with people, most frequently in a leadership role, and I know that if there are enough of us with good will, problemscan be solved. Your mayor, especially this term, needs experience. There are too many serious issues at hand to risk mistakes. Experience provides growth and opportunities, and the mistakes made early allow us to be wiser later. (Having been in local politics for so long, I realize that I am open to criticism over some previous decisions, but decisions are always made with the best information available at the time, and always, those decisions are made as a group action.) We are about to witness a time of overwhelming change, and we need to be in a position where we can react quickly; we must know the options and the advantages of each, and with one voice we must carve out a position. Over the years, I have pmven that I can lead this community. I have forcefully stated our position on various issues beforeCounty Council, legislative committees, tribunals and special interest groups, and I have always spoken with the knowledge -that 1 had the full backing of council or the committee of council I represented. For the last year, I have been hired by municipalities in Bruce County to facilitate their amalgamation talks. f know what it's all about! There have been challenges in the past that have tested me and the many councils with which I worked, but the next council will face, I believe, the toughest issues of all. This council must be prepared to talk and compromise, realizing•that on the other side of the table many the Provincial Government, the County of Huron, the PUC, all our neighbours and possible even Ontario Hydro. We must reconcile the differences with our neighbouring townships. We must also take a strong stand if outside authorities attempt to foist a system on us that will hurt us financially or reduce our voice in shaping our own future 1 would not be running if I did not think.' could handle the job. 1 enjoy challenges, and we have some big ones coming our way. We do not have the luxury time. We have to stake out.positions in several areas as soon as possible: The excellent letters written to the TA show us there are many thoughtful people in our community. No matter what the outcome, I would encourage you to continue the dialogue and insist on answers from your Leaders. We will all do better jobs if we know others really are concerned with what we do. 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