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TIMES–ADVOCATE
Wednesday, November 1, 2006
South Huron residents meet their candidates
By Scott Nixon
TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF
EXETER — "Communication" and "lis-
tening" were the two buzzwords at last
week's South Huron all candidates
meeting.
Audience members packed a meeting
room in the Ranch House Inn as candi-
dates presented their platforms and took
questions from local ratepayers.
In alphabetical order, candidates were
given three minutes to give their open-
ing statements.
Mayoral candidates
With current Mayor Rob Mayor opting
not to seek re-election, the race for
mayor in South Huron features a politi-
cal newcomer and a council veteran.
First-time candidate Dean Ducharme
of Exeter said he wants to see the com-
munity grow and thrive.
"I'm very proud of this community," he
said, adding he wants South Huron to
work on its strengths and build on its
weaknesses.
One of Ducharme's priorities is getting
rid of the "duplication" that he says
municipal amalgamation was supposed
to save.
"That needs to be addressed."
Current Usborne ward Coun. Ken Oke,
running against Ducharme for the
mayor's spot, said he has the experi-
ence, time, energy and business knowl-
edge to lead the next council. He said he
will be as fair as possible and will repre-
sent the entire community. If elected, he
said he will lead council in making sure
the community is involved.
"I'm proud of my municipality," Oke
said.
Deputy mayor
The race for deputy mayor features
newcomer Wally Fydenchuk of Crediton
against two council veterans — current
Exeter ward Coun. George Robertson
and former Stephen ward Coun. Drew
Robertson.
Noting the large crowd at the meeting,
Fydenchuk said he is pleased to see the
community come together. He said he
wants all sectors of the community, such
as agriculture, industry and seniors, to
work together.
Fydenchuk also encouraged the com-
munity to be strong lobbyists at the
provincial level to ensure Queen's Park
is aware of South Huron.
Fydenchuk, who has authored two
books on the former Centralia Air Base,
has been involved over the past year in
several local happenings, such as the
privatization of Huron Park and the
issues surrounding the
Crediton/Centralia sewer project. He
spoke of how he got involved with the
Ontario Realty Corporation to help pre-
vent three businesses from leaving
Huron Park while the province was
negotiating to privatize the industrial
side of the park.
Crediton's Drew Robertson, who has
council experience with South Huron as
well as with the former Stephen
Township, noted the strong interest and
enthusiasm the community has shown
in local issues.
He spoke of his leadership experience
on council, with the Bluewater Recycling
Association, as president of South Huron
Big Brothers Big Sisters, as a coach and
as a retired teacher.
"Good leadership is essential," he said.
Robertson noted how important issues
surrounding water have been in the
municipality, from flooding on roads in
Usborne, to the potable water issues in
Exeter and the sewage issues in
Stephen. Robertson said the quality of
our lakes and streams need to be
improved.
He also spoke of council working with
the business sector and said the continu-
ing privatization of Huron Park's indus-
trial side needs to be monitored.
Robertson also said youth need to be
kept in the municipality and council
needs to demonstrate honest and open
communication.
George Robertson, who has served one
term on South Huron council and one on
the former Exeter council, spoke of his
various additional roles in the communi-
ty, such as being a board member for
the Bluewater Recycling Association and
the Lake Huron Primary Water Supply
System.
Alluding to some who think the munic-
ipality has too many studies done,
Robertson said studies are needed and
that anything the public uses can't be
built without one. He added bylaws are
there to protect residents.
"Take a long hard look at who you
choose for council," Robertson said,
adding he will work to the best of his
ability.
Stephen ward
The five candidates running for two
available spots in the Stephen ward rep-
resent a mix of those with council expe-
rience and those who are relatively new
to politics. Running are newcomers
Vlado Bjelis, Dianne Faubert (a former
village trustee for Crediton) and Crystal
Varley, as well as current Stephen ward
Coun. Jim Dietrich and former Stephen
reeve and Huron County Warden Tom
Tomes.
This is the first time running for Bjelis,
of Dashwood, who said he has a number
of concerns.
"I'm one of you ...the people," he said.
A father of six, Bjelis said he wants to
represent ratepayers the best way he
can.
As he campaigns, the biggest concern
he hears from residents is a lack of com-
munication from council. Another issue
Bjelis mentioned, and one that would
come up repeatedly later in the meeting,
was the concern residents have over the
cancellation of the large garbage pickup
— Bjelis promised to work on the issue.
"I know I can do the job," he said.
Dietrich, who has lived in the Shipka
area his whole life, described the cur-
rent council term as "busy and interest-
ing." He said the hardest decision he
had to make was voting to give the go
ahead to the $6.2 million sewer project,
but he said the problem has to be solved
and he hopes the municipality receives a
grant to help the residents pay for it.
Faubert said she has recently become
"very active" on the municipal scene. A
former village trustee, she is now a
member of Fair Funding for Small
Communities of Ontario, a lobby group
attempting to bring more funding to
smaller municipalities. As part of that
group, Faubert noted she has met
provincial Finance Minister Greg
Sorbara and Huron -Bruce MPP Carol
Mitchell and has spoken at Queen's
Park.
In addition to concern over the sewer
project, Faubert said there are a num-
ber of other issues that need to be
addressed, including traffic concerns
from Grand Cove residents and fears
from some Huron Park residents that
they'll lose their homes.
Council veteran Tomes of Centralia
said it is a pleasure and a privilege to
represent the people. Through his years
on council, he said he has gained experi-
ence working with various government
agencies.
"This is an important election," he
said, noting half the incumbents aren't
returning and someone with experience
and someone who is a team player is
needed.
Tomes added the rural areas need to
be remembered by council and council
must be open and accountable.
Tomes also wants to work with devel-
opers and said bureaucracy shouldn't
hold up development in the municipali-
ty-
Varley,
unicipali-
tyVarley, of Huron Park, thanked the
public for showing interest in the meet-
ing. Raised near Elimville, Varley said
she and her husband have chosen to
stay in South Huron and she wants to
help the community grow.
"I'm willing to work with you, not
against you," she said, pointing to con-
cerns such as downtown revitalization
and the sewer project.
Varley said health and safety are big
concerns among residents.
She added many ratepayers seem
"confused" since amalgamation and
communication is needed.
"I'm working for you, but I'm also
working as a team," Varley said.
Exeter ward
Like the Stephen ward, the Exeter
ward features political newcomers step-
ping up to the plate. Four candidates are
running for two spots, including current
Coun. Pete Armstrong, Wayne DeLuca,
Leroy Hoffman and Cathy Seip.
Armstrong, who has served on South
Huron council for the last six years as
well as one term on the former Exeter
council, said he will represent everyone
equally. He described council as "a bal-
ancing act" between people's needs and
their wishes.
He said he will be fiscally responsible
with tax dollars.
"I am considered the ultimate cheap-
skate," he said.
Armstrong spoke of his role in the
efforts to control Exeter's flood problem,
which includes a project that went
ahead last year at the south end of town.
Negotiations are under way to deal with
the east portion of town now, Armstrong
explained.
"Help me keep our community strong
and progressive," he said.
DeLuca, who has lived in Exeter for
four years, has previous council and
trustee experience in Sault Ste. Marie.
He said campaigning has been a
rewarding experience.
"I have a passion for politics," he said,
pointing out economic development "has
got to be a priority" for council.
Leroy Hoffman, running for council for
the first time, told the audience, "If peo-
ple don't pull together, a town will die."
He said South Huron needs to keep jobs
here. He spoke in favour of bringing the
large garbage pickup back and said he'd
like to see Exeter's back alleys off Main
Street cleaned up.
He added some spending is out of con-
trol and the flooding issues are an ongo-
ing battle.
He called Exeter a caring community
and a beautiful place.
Seip, also running for the first time,
said she wanted to give back to the com-
munity since the community supported
her and her husband's business Seip's
Valu -mart. Seip mentioned her experi-
ence on various community organiza-
tions including the Exeter Lioness, the
Exeter Agricultural Society and the
South Huron Big Brothers Big Sisters
and said she has experience in factories,
retail and management.
She describes herself as "very commu-
nity -minded" and said her wide variety
of experience means she can relate to
ratepayers.
"I'm there to listen ... I am dedicated
to the community," she said.
Usborne ward
With current Usborne ward Coun. Oke
running for mayor, council will have a
new Usborne representative after the
Nov. 13 election. The Usborne race fea-
tures two first -timers — David Frayne
and Hugh McMaster.
Frayne detailed his career experience,
including helping his parents, Stan and
Marion, run Frayne's General Store.
Frayne said he has always been inter-
ested in politics and considered running
in the 2003 election.
"I think I'm fair and unprejudiced," he
said, adding he is approachable and
people are comfortable with him.
McMaster spoke of his business back-
ground, including owning the Ranch
House, as well as working in insurance
and the restaurant business.
"South Huron is a huge business and
should be run like one," he said, adding
Usborne needs to work together and
needs a strong voice.
Prepared answers
The mayoral candidates were asked
what goals they would like to see
accomplished by the new council.
Oke's priorities were the Exeter flood
issue, the Crediton/Centralia sewers and
ensuring all parts of the municipality
truly feel like part of South Huron,
something Oke said will take time.
Echoing Armstrong's comments, Oke
said a committee is now working on the
flooding problem near Eastern Avenue
and it "should be full steam ahead."
Regarding the sewers, Oke said the
municipality is waiting to hear if it will
be approved for a grant.
Referring to amalgamation, Ducharme
said the goal of the province was "bigger
is more efficient" — he said he doesn't
feel that philosophy has been utilized to
its full potential.
He said comuniciation to all parts of
the community is essential and said peo-
ple need to tell council what they want
and council has to listen.
He said South Huron has a great com-
munity and mentioned its recreation,
tourism, agriculture, industry and ser-
vices.
Candidates for deputy mayor were
asked what are the major issues for the
municipality.
George Robertson said South Huron
needs a master plan for water, land
availability and the landfill site. He also
said the municipality needs affordable
housing and should build on the
momentum of the Hensall ethanol plant
and lobby for more funding for agricul-
ture.
Drew Robertson said two major issues
are wastewater and freshwater. He said
the Crediton/Centralia sewer project has
been "contentious." He said government
grants have mostly gone to freshwater
projects as opposed to wastewater.
Fydenchuk said the reason South
Huron hasn't gotten a grant for the
sewer project is because the municipali-
ty didn't have a voice with the province.
He said South Huron needs leaders to
pull the community together
Referring to George Robertson's earli-
er comments that studies for projects
are needed, Fydenchuk said the munici-
pality shouldn't throw money away on
studies.
"We can figure it out ourselves," he
said.
Candidates for the wards were asked
how they would best represent their
ward.
Varley said she would represent
Stephen by being a friend, a listener and
by not being biased. She said she would
communicate the views and emotions of
ratepayers to council.
Tomes said experience and leadership
count in municipal politics and one of
the things he learned on council was to
listen to the people. He said he would go
to the department heads on behalf of
South Huron residents.
Faubert said listening and leadership
are "very important" and she would find
answers out for the ratepayers.
Dietrich said he will listen to the pub-
lic, take their questions to staff and
council and find answers. He added he
will represent all of South Huron, not
just the Stephen ward.
Bjelis said he has vision and passion
and he wants to work with local youth.
He said he has a love for the community
and his ward.
"I know I can be there for the commu-
nity.„
Seip said she wants to work on a four-
year vision and wants to see the resi-
dents, service clubs, businesses and
council work on a large event.
She said the infrastructure work that
has been done in the municipality is "an
asset" and she echoed earlier comments
about listening to the ratepayers.
"I am dedicated to the community."
Hoffman said councillors have to go
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