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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2006-01-11, Page 1414 Exeter Times -Advocate Wednesday, January 11, 2006 Five candidates run in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex By Nina Van Lieshout TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF MIDDLESEX — With just under two weeks remaining before the Jan. 23 election, candidates are running full tilt within their campaigns to the finish. Candidates this year are Kevin Blake (NDP), Micheal Adrian Janssens (CHP), Jim Johnston (Green Party), Bev Shipley (Conservative) and Jeff Wesley (Liberal). The Lambton-Kent-Middlesex riding features the city of Lambton Shores, the townships of Brooke-Alvinston, Dawn-Euphemia and Warwick and parts of Middlesex County including Lucan-Biddulph. Some of the city of Chatham -Kent which lies northwest of the Thames River is also a part of the riding. Several native reserves are a part of the area, including the Chippewas of the Thames, Kettle Point #44, Walpole Island #46 and Oneida #41. The riding has a population of 105,291. Liberal Rose -Marie Ur, who decided not to rim in this election served four terms in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex since 1993. In 2004 she defeated Conservative Bev Shipley by 164 votes. Here, in alphabetical order, is a look at the five candi- dates running for a seat in the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex riding. KEVIN BLAKE Kevin Blake is a lifelong resident of Wallaceburg living there with his wife Cathy and son Joe. In 2004 Blake was defeated in the Lambton-Kent-Middlesex election by Ur but says this year his campaign has improved and the public has been pleased with him "We have more money this campaign so our signage is larger and more effective," says Blake on a change from 2004. pitii Kevin Blake Blake is widely involved in the com- munity, including municipal involve- ment in Wallaceburg. Blake was elected to Wallaceburg council from 1991 to 1994 and was elected deputy reeve representing Wallaceburg on the Kent County council from 1994 to 1997. He was also a part of the Wallaceburg Police Commission in 1997, as well as the housing commis- sion, economic development commis- sion. Blake is concentrating on a variety of issues with agri- culture and health care being two main focuses for his campaign. He says agriculture doesn't just effect the farmers, "It has a huge economic effect on everyone." Blake adds agriculture is his number one issue and something has to be done long-term to help out the farmers. He says the farmers he's talked to are both frustrated and depressed with current agriculture policy. On the issue of health care Blake says communities across Canada are experiencing cuts and people are fed up with the health care system. MICHEALADRIAN JANSSENS Micheal Adrian Janssens, a first-time candidate and voter is running for the Christian Heritage Party. Although Janssens is just 19 years old he says his cam- paign is going well and everyone has been receptive even if he is the youngest candidate. Janssens was born in Watford but has spent most of his life in the small hamlet, Inwood. Janssens graduated from a privately funded high school, Komoka Providence Reformed Collegiate in 2004. He decided to run because he feels there is a vital need for change. He says there is too much corruption, scandal, immorality and euthanasia. Micheal When asked what his main focus in Adrian this campaign is, he says "life issues." Janssens Included are marriage, abortion, agri- culture and economy issues. Janssens gets particularly excited about abortion and marriage. He is not pleased abortion is allowed. "There's thousands of hours going into a destructive procedure," says Janssens, "and this is funded by our healthcare system." Janssens says the money put into abortion clinics could be used for another area for improving health care, like the wait times. He says, "abortions are brutal for both the mother and child and are an inexcusable misuse of tax payer dollars." Another hot topic for Janssens is the marriage issue. "It's an institution of God," says Janssens. He says some people are using it as a tax rebate. Janssens also thinks the problem is not just same sex marriage but that it started with allowing common-law marriage. Janssens is both the chairman of the Young People's Society and the Young People's Society representative for the Evangelism. Janssens is also affiliated with the Kerwood Canadian Reformed Church. He is interested in joining the ministry but is doing retail and factory work for the moment. Janssens is enjoying campaigning and says a highlight has been the all -candidates meeting in Strathroy recent- ly. JIM JOHNSTON Jim Johnston is a first-time candidate r►mning for the Green Party. Johnston's running because he says, "somebody has to do something." Johnston says there needs to be a fundamental change. "We don't trust the government and we need to restore the government," says Johnston. For the past 15 years Johnston has been the president of Paradynamics Inc., a software development company in London. He graduated with a bachelor's degree in mathematics and computer science and a master's degree in business administration. Johnston is pleased with the community support and says a lot of people have come forward asking about the Green Party. "Most people are curious and want to learn more," he says. He is drawn to the Green Party primarily because it represents a return to community values, putting people first and recognizing that we live in a shared environ- ment with limited resources. A main focus of his campaign is agriculture. Johnston understands the challenges of preserving family farming life and the many difficulties farmers face everyday. He also says people need account- ability from the government and his party would like to focus largely on that issue. Johnston is a firm believer of a basic belief structure for a respect for diversity. He also says there is a need for a long-term vision of sustainable community, economics, energy and environment. He has volunteered for various community groups and boards including the Child Poverty Action Group. Johnston has a strong message for voters. "If we con- tinue to vote the way we've always voted, we will contin- ue to get the government we've always gotten." Jim Johnston BEV SHIPLEY Bev Shipley has lived and worked in the Lambton- Kent-Middlesex riding all of his life where he lives with his wife Barb of 34 years. Shipley has three grown children, also raised in Lambton-Kent-Middlesex. He has been involved with the community extensively over the years. Shipley has been dedicated to the munic- ipal government for over 20 years and has served on Middlesex County council for 17 years. He has been mayor of Middlesex Centre for the last nine years and was warden in 1995. Shipley says around Christmas he slowed down his campaign so people could concentrate on their holidays but his campaign is going well and they've been extremely busy knocking on doors and talking with peo- ple, going full tilt. In 2004 Liberal Ur defeated Shipley by just 164 votes but he says that won't discourage him this year. A main focus for Shipley's campaign is agriculture. Shipley, a graduate of Agriculture Technology, took over the family farm and would like to see some change. He says agriculture needs long-term investment and support and the Conservative Party identifies that Canadian agriculture diversity means a national solution can't take a "one size fits all" approach. Shipley says programs must be developed in consultation with pro- ducers. He also says the Conservative gov- ernment would defend Canadian farmers in international trade nego- tiations. Other main focuses for Shipley are lowering GST from seven per cent to five per cent, repealing the gun registry, having a tradi- tional definition of marriage and reducing wait times for health care. Shipley would also like to promote skilled trades, "pos- sibly even offering grants for employers and employ- ees," of those wanting to get involved in skilled trades. Shipley is the director of the Middlesex County Agriculture Hall of Fame, chairman of the Lake Huron Primary Water System, an association member of the Western Fair Association, a volunteer for the London - Middlesex United Way and an active member of the Community Bible Church. JEFF WESLEY Jeff Wesley began campaigning for his Liberal Party in the summer, partly due to the size of the riding which is comparable to Prince Edward Island. Wesley says his campaign has been well received by the public. He holds a bachelor of arts degree from the University of Western Ontario and is working towards a degree in law at the University of Windsor. For the past 15 years Wesley has been involved in municipal politics. He has served as councillor, deputy reeve and mayor for Wallaceburg, as well as councillor in the municipali- ty of Chatham -Kent. Wesley's main campaign priority is agriculture. "Agriculture is the biggest issue," says Wesley. Wesley has had to deal with the sponsorship scandal which angered some voters, but says Prime Minister Paul Martin did a good job dealing with the situation. "The prime minister did what anyone else should do, he called an inquiry." Other areas Wesley is working on include health care, day care and post -secondary education. "I'm not in favour of private health care but I'm in favour of public medi-care," says Wesley. He thinks day care also needs attention and says the Liberals are the only party with a national plan, saying what the Conservatives have come up with is laughable regarding that issue. Wesley is also a big believer of post- secondary education and needing easy access to it. He says the Liberals are builders and have done a good job. Other focuses of the Liberal Party include the Canada Pension Plan, old age security and the constitution. Wesley is the manager of a fran- chise, Municipal and Aboriginal Relations at Union Gas. He has volunteered for various organizations including the United Way since 1990. 4N1 Bev Shipley Jeff Wesley EDWARD JONES PRESENTS Women & Investing WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW. Learn why women need to save more money for their retirement than men. And what steps you can take to reach your investment goals. This educational seminar will be featured on: TUESDAY, JANUARY 24, 2006 AT 6:00 P.M. 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