HomeMy WebLinkAboutClinton News-Record, 1986-07-16, Page 24Reeve follows family tradition of politics
BY PAUL HARTMAN
When Russ Kernighan became the
Reeve of Colborne Township three years
ago, it marked the third time that a
member of his familyhad held that post.
Kernighan's father was Reeve in the
1950s. His grandfather held the position in
1911-1912.
One might say that municipal politics
run in the Kernighan blood, and that Russ
himself has a particalarly heavy dose.
He sat on Colborne Township Council for
10 years, served as Chairman of the park
at Benmiller for eight years and has been
involved with the Maitland River Authori-
ty for some time. As well, he served on the
local school board during the 60s.
That's a lot of involvement for someone
who's also trying to run a 400 acre farm as
well. "I guess I must be enjoying it," he
muses, "or I wouldn't be doing it."
Despite the enjoyment that Kernighan
has derived from his work in the municipal
arena, he'll be stepping down as reeve
when the next election is held. "Those that
want to come forward and contribute,
should be given every opportunity," he
says. If they aren't, local politicians could
find themselves with "no-one willing to
take their place" when the time does come
to retire.
Kernighan cites another reason for his
retirement from the Colborne Township
council. "My goal, when I set out, was to
provide good, stable government for the
township, and I think we, as a council,
have accomplished that."
This being his last year in office allows
Kernighan to mull, over some of the
changes that have taken place during his
stints on local boards, committees and
council.
"A great deal of change has taken place
since I first got involved," he observes.
Russ
Kernighan
Kernighan cites the rapid urbanization of
the township and points to the Century
Height subdivision at Saltford as an
example.
He finds the change is accelerating as
well. People are demanding a lot more
from municipal government in this age it
Colborne lbwnship Reeve
seems. The municipality has become more
involved in such areas as waste manage-
ment, pollution control, zoning by-laws,
erosion control and road improvement.
"We're looking for ways to better serve
a greater number of people who come
from every walk of life." The result has
The Council
and Residents
of the
Town of Goderich
been increased responsibility and work for
been increased and work for
all members of the municipal government.
The extra work that is involved in
municipal government provided Ker-
nighan with somewhat of a' surprise. "I
never realized how much the municipality
was involved in the everyday life of the
community," he offers. "The local council
is extremely accessible to the people and
that's the way it should be."
The increased workload that he and his
'council have had to face hasn't prevented
them from realizing the completion of
what he considers one off Colborne's more
important projects. After several years of
work, the Secondary Plan for zoning came
into effect just over a year ago and Ker-
nighan was proud to be, a part of it. Col-
borne was one of the first .townships in
Huron County to have a secondary plan.
Another of his proudest memories comes
from his work with the Maitland River
Authority. "From boyhood, I've been in-
terested in the Maitland and to sit on a
board that is responsible for 1,100 square
miles of watershed is something I, never
dreamed of. I really enjoyed the opportuni-
ty to be involved ink the welfare of the
river."
A final impression that Kernighan
thought worth mention from his years in
muni ' • al affairs comes from his work
with :1 citizens. "I'm pleased with the
w t i eople have treated me over the years
that I've been involved in the community,"
Locals seem to have appreciated him as
well. Though he never campaigned for
them, he won the only two elections he was
involved in. His other positions all came
from acclamations.
The next municipal election will find
Russ Kernighan's name not on the ballot.
And with only a 400 acre farm to keep him
busy, he'll probably feel as though he's got
nothing to do.
Congratulations
Colborne Township
on your
150th Birthday
Sesquicentennial
County of Huron
Bill G. Hanly Leona Armstrong
CLERK -TREASURER WARDEN
AND ADMINISTRATOR
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