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Home My WebLink AboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-11-15, Page 44 Times–Advocate Wednesday, November 15, 2006 ocna =CNA TIMES ADVOCATE Editorial Opinion PUBLICATIONS MAIL REGISTRATION NUMBER 07511 We acknowledge the Financial support of the Government of Canada, through the Publications Assistance Program (PAP), toward our mailing casts. Canada Jim Beckett – Publisher Deb Lord – Production Manager Scott Nixon – Editor 4 Published by Metroland Printing, Publishing & Distributing Ltd. Metroland 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850 Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6 • 519-235-1331 Peter Winkler -General Manager, Southwestern Ontario Division EDITORIAL Time to work Abrather long municipal election campaign has fmally ended with a few surprises, ut no shocks. With a new four-year term ahead of them, council veterans and rook- ies can get down to business in December. There were no real surprises in South Huron, although some of the numbers were surprising. While Ken Oke had a large margin of victory over Dean Ducharme in the race for mayor, the fight for deputy mayor was close right until the end with George Robertson and Drew Robertson neck and neck at one point. George Robertson ended up winning due to his popularity in Exeter, while Drew Robertson took both townships. Unfortunately for him, it wasn't enough. The race in the Exeter ward was closest — while it was clear from the outset incumbent Pete Armstrong would have no problem being re-elected, the battle for the second Exeter representative couldn't have been much closer, with Cathy Seip squeaking out a victory over Wayne DeLuca by a mere eight votes. DeLuca was in fact leading the polls at one point. In the wards, council veteran Tom Tomes returns to municipal politics and joins incumbent Jim Dietrich in the Stephen ward, while David Frayne had no problem defeating Hugh McMaster in Usborne. Accustomed to being acclaimed, Bill Dowson actually had an election this time around in Bluewater and defeated his opponent Janet Snider for the mayor's spot. The Hensall ward will say goodbye to longtime incumbent Rod Parker, who went down to defeat to Kay Wise, who spearheaded a movement a couple of years ago to attempt to separate Hensall from the rest of Bluewater. There were also interesting developments in Lambton Shores, where there will be a new mayor after longtime incumbent Cam Ivey bowed out. Gord Minielly defeated Jeff Krpan to become that municipal- ity's new mayor. Things were less exciting in Lucan Biddulph, where the entire council was acclaimed, save for Ward 3 where newcomer Alex Westman defeated longtime incumbent Doug Anderson. While many of the newcomers went down to defeat Monday night, they need to be congratulated for taking an interest in their community, getting involved and making the elections interesting. It was also nice to see women get involved and having a woman on South Huron council will be a welcome change. And to the winners — get ready for the hot seat. Reality sets in quickly The last ballots have been tallied, the acceptance speeches have been made in hundreds of church base- ments, community centres and school gymnasiums, and across Ontario, voters and politicians are assess- ing the results of Monday's municipal election. Whether provincewide or in local municipali- ties such as South Huron, Bluewater, Lucan Biddulph or Lambton Shores, as always, politi- cians are at the whim of voters. And with those whims, some veterans are gone from the new councils and their long time service and dedication should be noted and remembered. And as always, expectations are high from both voters and brand new representatives, determined to live up to pledges and promises "to be more accountable," and "clean things up. But for both those at the council table, reality sets in quickly about politics and municipal poli- tics especially. In the end, some promises will be left undone, victims of financial reality, time or compro- mise. As the bottom rung of government, municipal politi- cians are the first and most accountable face to voters and whether it is a municipal responsibility or not, to the voter who lives next door, eventually everything becomes a municipal issue. Along with being the lowest level of government, new municipal politicians quickly realise everything that can be rolled downhill will be except for the funding to pay for it. For the first time, municipal councils have four years to wrestle with the multiple hammers wielded by vot- ers, with their demands to pave and plow every road in the municipality and have a man waiting at every door to receive bags of garbage. There should also be an ambulance stand- ing ready in every town as well as a cruiser on every road to deter speeders while at the same time, the officers should be doing walk arounds through the town to protect local businesses and escort children to and from school. In their off time, local councillors should be lobbying government and industries to create jobs locally while at the same time, ensuring the air, water and soil remains pristine. And at the end of the day, our hardwork- ing councillor should be standing ready by the phone or preferably the local coffee shop, to get an earful about why tax bills are so high. In the end, it can be a mystery why anyone would bother to serve, but term after term both veterans and new faces show up for one reason. Because they care. So we should all wish those who will be around the table good luck in the next four years. And for those who don't get their wish lists granted immediately, try waiting at least one council meeting before you call to complain. PAT BACK 4 VIEW BOLEN 0 About the Times -Advocate Address & Office Hours Times -Advocate, 424 Main Street South, P.O. Box 850, Exeter, Ontario NOM 1S6. Our office is open Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm. Closed on Holidays. Contact Us By Phone or Fax Classified ad & subscription sales (519) 235-1331 24-hour automated attendant (519) 235-1336 Fax number for all departments (519) 235-0766 Subscription Rates One year rate for addresses in Canada: $40+GST Two year rate for addresses in Canada: $72+GST One year rate for addresses outside Canada: $140 Call (519) 235-1331 to order a subscription. Classified Rates Word ads: $11 for 20 words, 20(t for each additional word+ GST. Notices (births, deaths, announcements, coming events, memoriams, cards of thanks): $15 + GST for up to 50 words, All ads must be pre -paid. The classified ad deadline is Monday at 10 a.m. Display Advertising To place a display ad, (519) 235-1331 weekdays 8:30 to 4:30 p.m. or evenings (519) 235-1336 (leave mes- sage) or toll-free at 1-888-270-1602. Deadline: Fri. 2 p m. E-mail Us Web site: www.southhuron.com TA e-mail addresses consist of the person's first initial and last name followed by @southhuron.com. For example, Jim Beckett's e-mail address is <jbeck- ett@southhuron.com> Our general e-mail address is ads@southhuron.com. The Times -Advocate Team Publisher Jim Beckett ext. 109 ADVERTISING Deborah Schillemore ext. 112 EDITOR Scott Nixon ext. 105 REPORTERS Pat Bolen ext. 113 Nina Van Lieshout ext. 107 CUSTOMER SERVICE Sue Rollings ext. 101 Elaine Chipchase ext. 102 PRODUCTION DEPARTMENT Manager Deb Lord ext. 103/114 Heather Bilcke ext. 103 Kelly Gackstetter ext. 103 ACCOUNTING STAFF Anita McDonald ext. 104 Ruth Slaght ext. 106 MargPertschy ext. 111 Heather Clarke ext. 206