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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-10-04, Page 3Wednesday, October 4, 2006 TIMES—ADVOCATE 3 Bjelis and Faubert join Stephen ward race By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF SOUTH HURON — There are five candi- dates seeking the two available spots in the Stephen ward in this fall's South Huron municipal election. Running are current Stephen Coun. Jim Dietrich and former Coun. Tom Tomes, while newcomers to the political scene Vlado Bjelis, Dianne Faubert and Crystal Varley are also running in Stephen. Dietrich and Varley have already been profiled in the Times -Advocate, while Tomes could not be reached in time for this week's deadline. Vlado Bjelis Running for the first time, Bjelis, of Dashwood, said he is concerned about property taxes. An owner of two properties in Dashwood, he has heard about the possi- ble sewer project coming to Dashwood and wanted to get involved. One of the major issues Bjelis is concerned with is the cancellation of the large garbage pickup. Bjelis says he's not sure if council thought the issue through before making the decision and said some residents now have to pay someone to pick up their large garbage and take it to the landfill site. Also, since the service has been scrapped, Bjelis said taxes should have been reduced. Other issues Bjelis wants to take care of include boost- ing the local economy and fording activities for area youth, who tell him Stephen needs such things as a swimming pool and skate park. Bjelis, married with six children, says it's important to invest in youth because they are the future leaders. Bjelis has also spoken to many lakeshore residents and they tell him pollution is a big concern. "I'd like a chance to tackle these issues," Bjelis says, adding he's been thinking of running for council for over a year. Bjelis says council needs new voices and explains that Vlado Bjel is some individuals who are in politics for a long time pick up bad habits. "I believe in honest and integrity," he says. "A man only has one thing and that's his word." Bjelis has had a varied work back- ground. He has experience in construction and factory work and was a health care aid for 10 years. After becoming a truck driver for six years, Bjelis was in a bad accident in California and is on the Ontario Disability Support Program, but says he does what he can to remain involved in the community. An artist, he is also interested in photography and the environment. He says he's always been interested in politics and loves to learn. "I want to make a change in my own backyard." Dianne Faubert Also running for council for the first time, Faubert co- owns Jordy's Gas Bar and Variety with her partner Daryl Tripp. A former village trustee in Crediton before amalgamation, Faubert has been involved with delega- tions before South Huron council concerning the Crediton/Centralia sewer project and is the lone citizen's representative for 'Fair Funding for Small Communities of Ontario,' a lobby group pushing the federal and provincial governments for more funding. As part of that group, Faubert will travel to Toronto next week to speak to the Rural Caucus. She describes herself as "very active" in the communi- ty and says she is trying to make things better. "I feel we need new blood on council," Faubert says, adding South Huron residents need to have their voices heard. Speaking about the sewer project, Faubert says, "I am very passionate about it." She says the sewer project is the reason she became involved with the 'Fair Funding' group in the first place. She describes her work on 'Fair Funding' as "exhilarating," and notes she is constantly Dianne Faubert learning new things and met Finance Minister Greg Sorbara in Goderich in the summer. Faubert says council should have been working with the Ministry of the Environment all along to find funding for the estimated $6.2 million pro- ject. "It's not a new issue that just cropped up," she says, adding she and her group informed council of how Southwest Middlesex was able to delay a water project in Wardsville until funding became available, costing residents one third of the origi- nal price. At the time, South Huron Mayor Rob Morley said a sewer project was much different than a water project. After attending several council meetings because of the sewer project, people started telling Faubert she should run. She eventually agreed and filed her nomina- tion papers last week. "I don't consider myself a politician, I consider myself a citizen." Faubert says there are issues in Huron Park on the residential and industrial side that need to be addressed and local farmers need to be supported. She said some Huron Park residents are afraid of losing their homes. If people leave the area, it could hurt the industries in the park, Faubert says. Also, Faubert says activities are needed for the area's young people. Another issue she emphasizes is the proposed new Lake Huron pipeline for Exeter. "That's a huge issue that needs to be a priority on the next council." Also in Exeter, Faubert is concerned about the state of business downtown and says council needs to talk to business owners to address their concerns. "We don't need studies, we need action." Faubert has three properties in Crediton, but lives in Hensall, although she says she spends most of her time in Crediton. She has co -owned Jordy's for 13 years and also drives a school bus for Murphy's Bus Lines. Lucan Biddulph's mayor, deputy mayor acclaimed By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF LUCAN BIDDULPH — Voters in Lucan Biddulph won't have to wait until the November election to find out who will make up the Lucan Biddulph council. With the exception of Ward 3, every position on council has been acclaimed, including Mayor Tom McLaughin and deputy mayor Perry Caskanette. This will be the second consecutive term for Caskanette as deputy mayor and his third term on council. Caskanette is particularly interested in the Lucan Biddulph youth, working diligently to include them as a part of the Lucan and area community. A skate park was constructed this past sum- mer at the Lucan Memorial Community Centre, a project Caskanette spearheaded. He is also hoping to add a youth centre to Lucan but says, "we haven't really found a place." But Caskanette says this will be another project brought forward this coming term. The Lucan Community Memorial Centre kitchen is also a main focus for Caskanette, who hopes to use the facility as a location for "an educational cooking pro- gram or hospitality service" once the renovations are complete. Economic development is also of importance to Caskanette, who has worked diligently on highlighting and improving the economic development in Lucan. "I think it's important to take pride in what we've got," says Caskanette. Caskanette is a part of the Lucan Optimist Club and has coached several of his son's sports teams. Caskanette is a high school teacher at John Paul 11 and is the head of the science department. He is married with two sons and says he's pleased to serve his commu- nity once again as deputy mayor. Acclaimed positions PERRY CASKA NETTE Exeter business fined by MOE GODERICH — Jerry MacLean and Son Automotive Limited was fined $36,000 Sept. 20, plus a victim fine surcharge, after pleading guilty to a violation of the Ontario Water Resources Act (OWRA) resulting from a spill April 18, 2005. Before Justice Robert Gay the Ontario Court of Justice in Goderich heard evidence that a 1,500 U.S. gallon capacity tank at 110 Main Street North in Exeter, for storing sodium hypochlorite, fell over between midnight and 7 a.m. An estimated 4,690 litres of sodium hypochlorite solution spilled out. The tank was not surrounded by a sec- ondary containment structure to control leaks or spills. The solution flowed into two catch basins on the property and from there entered a munici- pal storm sewer and discharged into the Ausable River. The spill was estimated to have caused the deaths of thousands of fish and other aquatic life for a distance of approximately 5.1 kilome- tres downstream from the entry point. Following an investigation conducted by the Ministry of the Environment's (MOE's) Investigations and Enforcement Branch, a charge was laid. Jerry MacLean and Son Automotive pleaded guilty to one count of permitting the discharge of a contaminant into a watercourse that impaired water quality, contrary to section 30(1) of the OWRA. The court was told that, immediately upon learning of the spill, Gary MacLean notified the Ausable Bayfield Conservation Authority (ABCA) and asked for guidance on handling the situation. The ABCA contacted the MOE, and MacLean co-operated fully with ministry personnel. The court was also told that MacLean orga- nized a fish cleanup with a South Huron District High School biology class and staff of the ABCA. The business paid the approximately $970 costs of the cleanup. The company also paid for a reference study conducted by the ABCA. The study was completed at a cost of approximately $11,500. Further to that the company made an additional donation of $5,000 to assist in any follow-up studies that may be required. Tom McLaughlin will remain as mayor, Wayne Hall will remain as Ward 1 councillor and Paul Hodgins will remain as Ward 2 councillor for the upcoming term. Coun. Doug Anderson and Alex Westman will compete for the spot of Ward 3 councillor. All the dough goes to a great cause. 100 plus [ax Tim Hortons is heating up for Smile Cookies, the fundraising effort that benefits both you and our community. Here's how it works: you buy a $1.00 double -sized chocolate chip Smile Cookie and we donate the entire proceeds to the South Huron Hospital Association. Visit your Exeter store starting Monday, October 9th to get your Smile Cookies. T� ogether Wiih You, Making Good Things Happen.