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The Goderich Signal-Star, 1985-11-06, Page 21ii T. �rr77 j.{ it fid '4 1 'llT i , T ;µ} Bob Aden ®u ncl mu s t face hui$ BOB ALLEN From senior citizen housing to public ac- cess to Goderich's waterfront, there are hundreds of issues facing the municipal candidates for Goderich council, says Bob Allen. "It's important for the electorate to real- ly have a thoughtful look at the candidates- -not at money or position or popularity—to pick the best people. If they do that, it'll be better for me," he says. Defeated during the 1982 election in his first bid for mayor, Allen served on council from 1975 to 1982. The maintenance superintendent at Champion Road Machinery, he has been employed there for 40 years. "One of the most interesting issues is why is there nothing further being done for senior's housing. The neecl Loi there and it should be built, right now. `::Ws quite a dramatic thing not having a puce to live in between your House and an institution when you're a senior," he says. Another need in Goderich is more low in- come housing, he says. "Everybody wants to own his own home but a lot of people make $5 di $6 an hour and they need to be given allince. The to put town should find developers * this housing in town," he says. He also says priorities have to be set dur- ing the planning of sidewalk and road con- struction so that people are assured their streets will eventually be reached. When considering industrial develop- ment, Allen says the town should expand only on its fringes when required. Other- s of issues wise, industry will continue to encroach on farm land; And, when considering something for Goderich's children, Allen says an indoor swimming pool in town must be studied with a survey of potential users to see if it could be supported once built. He has been involved with Lynn Meyers, the high school teacher who's been researching the possibility of an indoor pool in town . He says he would also like to see council help heritage building owners install sprinkler systems to protect their buildings. Allen says his strengths include his job experience of paring budgets to get the best quality for his money, his ability to change with the times and his vigilance to keep the openness in council. Must maintain momentum Carey says and council really needs fresh outlooks all the time." One of his favorite ideas for the town is a fall fair or a trade and industrial show to promote the town. He is also in favor of the recent process of annexation of a parcel of land in Goderich Township but adds he would like to know more about the potential users of the land before the annexation is finalized. "We've run the course on cloied sessions for the annexation and the potential industry and we should be opening it up to the public. We need to know if the interest is actually there or if there are details available," he says. GLEN CAREY Incumbent Glen Carey says the biggest challenge facing Goderich council this term is to maintain the momentum it has gained in the past two and a half years. "The town is on a considerable upswing. We're on the right road with vigorously pursuing the recent industrial, tourism campaign. The big challenge is promoting the upswing the town has enjoyed while holding tax dollars down," he says. A councillor for five of the six ytears he's lived in Goderich, Carey is a lawyer who along with his partner Richard Ottewell, formed the law firm Carey and Ottewell soon atter arriving in town. He says many aspects of his legal background will help him to serve on council. "I have a basic knowledge of how the municipality operates and day-to-day experience with it and I have the ability to logically take a problem and analyse it to its conclusion; that's something I do everyday in the courtrooms of Ontario," he says. He says his other attributes include public speaking, contact with the business community, an ability to deal with issues unemotionally, and an ability to deal with disagreements, he says. "I still have a fresh outlook on the town Bill Clifford Glen Carey By Susan Hundertmark Candidates need to show some pizzazz Clifford brings business skills to council BILL CLIFFORD Incumbent Bill Clifford says he'd like to continue to contribute his sound judgement in business and administration to Goderich council and be re-elected as councillor. "Council is a team and I'd like to continue - to be a part of that team," he says. First elected to council in 1972, Clifford spent six years moving from councillor to deputy reeve to reeve before being defeated in 1978. After a four year absence, he came back to public office in 1982. A local real estate broker, he says he tries to look at each issue in an unemotional, common sense, business -like way. "I'm able to listen and to make recommendations and to vote in a manner in the best interests of the town. I've heard from various factions in town and I try to blend these interests," he says. "I have time to hear the people; I'm as far away as a phone call." Clifford says he likes the direction Goderich is going in. "We have a progressive tdwn "with an excellent growth rate both industrially and commercially in recent years. And, that enables council to complete many projects," he says. He is in favor of the annexation of land from Goderich Township to attract industry to town. "To attract industry to any town, you Goderich should move forward slowly BOB CORNISH A slow and steady pace forward is the way Bob Cornish would like to see Goderich progress. A runner-up in the last municipal elec- tion in 1982, Cornish was appointed to coun- cil two years ago when Coun. Ed Giesbrecht left council. After serving on council for two years, he says he expects to be more active if elected for a second term. "We need to keep the town going the way it's been going—at a slow, steady pace for- ward. We need to attract small industry or large industry that's compatible with the town and we have to look after existing in- dustries too since 80 per cent of growth comes through local firms," he says. Cornish says the 45 acres which is in the process of being annexed from Goderich Township is a good amount to be annexed for the present "but that's it for now. We don't need land for residential yet," he says. Although he sees a need for housing for seniors and for new apartment buildings in town, Cornish says there are no major issues that should be addressed by a new council. "The town's going along real good,'• he says. A native of Goderich and a member of the recreation board for six years, Cornish says he's running for council because he'd like to see Goderich "continue as a good town." He returned to Goderich 10 years ago to raise a family after working for several years in Guelph and has worked at must �.,.,.. an �nventory at available land. have inventory of available land. The parcel of land under negotiation can best serve the interest of the town and the township by being in the town since it can be serviced economically by the town." "If we're not able to land the industry that spurred us to pet the land, the town shoo))) continue towork'on it." Though he says he won't make any claims for personal feats or great accomplishments, Clifford says he'll continue to apply the same sound judgement he's already demonstrated. "I believe people elect you because they believe you think most like them. You can't be wishy-washy or they won't know what to expect," he says. the Alexandra Marine and General Hospital as an electrician for three years. Though he found public scrutiny difficult to handle at first, Cornish says he's not scared to sit down and listen to people. And, he sees a value in keeping some sen- sitivity. "1 don't think a person should get too hard to criticism because if you get too hard, they ( those criticising) may be right. And, I wouldn't want to be labelled a hard person," he says. "You have to respect each person's views. If someone asks you something, you have to bring it up at council," he says. Cornish says he'll work hard if elected this term. "I've committed myself to all the meetings I can physically attend." At a seminar on municipal politics I at- tended over the weekend in London, many of the reporters from daily newspapers were comply fining about the quality of municipal candidates. With the new three year terms, they said 'an in- creasing number of candidates are runn- ing on single issue platforms that ad- dress strange concerns such as space travel. In short, more and more can- didates are not serious enough to offer voters legitimate choices, they said. Take for instance, the woman who regularly runs for office in London with the platform that the city needs to build a • space platform to attract visiting aliens. (It's another way of attracting the tourist dollar, I suppose.) Though she insists a space platform would push the city into the 21st century, Londoners don't vote for her. I guess she's just a politician before her time (or she's seen one too many movies about extra -terrestrials. ) But, after spending most of last week interviewing municipal candidates, I can assure the voters of Goderich that the one thing our candidates do not lack is seriousness. They're serious about all the right things—attracting industry, pro- moting the town, spending our tax dollars wisely and protecting public in- terests. And, as I received serious answers to my serious questions at each interview, I couldn't help but hope for at least one crackpot candidate out of the 12. Before I'm accused of being ir- reverent, let me explain that I'm well aware of the importance of municipal government. Expanding our tax base, maintaining our streets and sidewalks and generally serving the interests of each of the town's citizens are serious responsibilities that candidates should not take lightly. But, a few strange ideas, a little flam- boyance, some _style or . outragge° adds some spice to n� ec'lioii:fifiiffk seriousness, no matter how competent, can be deadly dull. Though I've often thought it unfair, • elections are often won these udys because of a candidate's style and charisma rather than his or her com- petence. A candidate who is boring, dull or lacking in presence often has a hard time getting the attention of the elec- torate, no matter how brilliant his or her ideas. Pierre Trudeau, with a constant rose on his lapel, defeated more than one col- orless politican opponent during his career. Though one opponent, Robert Stanfield, was considered to have superior economic sense, he probably would have won more votes against Trudeau if he'd worn his famed underwear on his head. The mayoralty race in Toronto this year seems to be based solely on the pizazz of the candidates. Incumbent Art Eggleton, also known as Art Who?, is be- ing criticized mostly because of his lack of style even though he's praised for his administrative and business abilities. He's being given a run for his money by Alderman Anne Johnston, who while not exactly glamorous, has a lively reputa- tion. A champion of the underdog, she's been known to stage media events to make her positions known. Once she organized a campaign to protest the poor quality of pantyhose by encouraging women at city hall to wear the same pair Kathleen Leaman Leaman will promote youth programs KATHLEEN LEAMAN For the past year and a half, Kathleen Leaman has been attending Goderich council meetings, committee of adjustment meetings and parks and waterfront committee meetings to prepare for her first bid in 12 years as municipal councillor this Nov. 12. "A lot of people probably wonder what on earth possessed me but I'm intrigued with what goes on," she says. A resident of Goderich for 40 years, i,eaman says she wants to do something for the town that made her feel so welcome as a young bride when she first arrived from T nnrinn If elected, Leaman says she would like to promote programs for the "ordinary, average kid" in Goderich such as more dances and to work towards fewer closed sessions of council. "I don't like the idea of closed committees of the whole. The odd time they're necessary but most times, they're not. I don't think all the closed meetings were necessary concerning ( the recently begun) annexation (of a parcel of land in Goderich Township)." "I'd also like to get more people coming to council meetings and get them interested in what's going on," she says. i,eaman's community involvement includes a six year term on the board of directors of the Goderich Credit Union and employment at various offices in town including Goderich Electric, Canadian Tire, Goderich Manufacturing and the Sheriff's off ice at the courthouse. "It's been varied and I've learned a lot," she says. She says she's always been able to wci is with other people and will be able to handle the public scrutiny that goes with the job of councillor. "I'm too old to let anything like that bother me. I'm also stubborn but I don't know if that's a good thing or not," she says. Leaman says she expects to discover her other talents as she works on council. Frnancial experierice benefits council "Goderich is an exciting place to live in right now. it's in good shape and it's been well -served by past councils. I'd like to help move it forward not too fast and not too slow to make it easier on taxpayers," he says. in order to do so, he says Goderich should have a parcel of industrial land available to interest potential industries to town. Another concern of McCauley's is increased security at the Bluewater Centre and possibly an alarm bell to warn area residents if another outbreak of young offenders occurs. At the least, Goderich residents should receive a description of young offenders on the loose, he says. PETER MCCAULEY A resident of Goderich, n -'d owner of Bluewater Cleaners for "'h y ears, Peter McCauley wants to help Goderich continue to "move forward in an orderly fashion." Appointed to council six months ago to fill a seat left vacant when Coun. ,John Doherty became deputy -reeve after .Jim Britnell left council, McCauley says he would like to continue to use his financial experience to benefit council. His past experience includes five years on the recreation board, five years on the Business Improvement Area and nine years on the planning board. He is also past - president of the Kinsmen Club. "When 1 explain the situation to people, they begin to get concerned. They don't realize what the people (the young offenders) are in for. But, I hope nothing else happens and we can carry on like it (the centre) wasn't there," he says. Because of his past experience on several boards, McCauley says he's well able to handle the public scrutiny of being on council. "I had to handle quite a bit of flak when I was on the recreation board and the arena was condemned and it doesn't bother me. Actually, it's nice when people talk to you about it and you have a chance to answer in a full manner," he says. Peter McCauley O. 4 of pantyhose for a week no matter how shoddy they looked by the end of the week. There is a danger, however, of judging candidates solely on their style with no thought to whether they can do the job as well. Then, the ability of the candidate to play to the television camera becomes all important. What the candidate actually says is lost while how he says it is given all the attention. That's what has happened, 1 think, in the U.S. when an ex -movie star becomes president even when his answers on a television debate are illogical and dis- jointed. His words were judged unimpor- tant as long as he looked good saying them. It is possible, though, to combine com- petence with some style. Pierre Trudeau, afterall, was not awarded the Order of Canada recently for the rose on his lapel. A little flamboyance could only help the municipal election in Goderich. Though it's reassuring to know that all the candidates have a grasp of the issues and the best interests of Goderich at heart, the electorate might get a little more involved if a few of the candidates let some of their personal style shine through. I'm not suggesting the candidates add a promise for a space platform for Goderich in their campaign speeches. But, the only attempt at pizzazz I've seen so far was at the last council meeting when one candidate wore his campaign button at the council table. Here's a message to all the candidates for the next week 'be�ore election day. Honk your own horn," show us your style and let us know why we should vote for you. We need to know how to distinguish you from the rest of the candidates.