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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2015-05-20, Page 3Former area reporter seeking NDP nomination Laura Broadley Clinton News Record Gerard Creces is ready for change and a ground -up approach to rural issues. He is currently seeking the NDP nomination for Huron -Bruce. Creces, 34, is originally from Zurich but went to school for broadcast journalism at Fanshawe College before moving back to the area. He worked as a reporter with the Goderich Signal Star for eight years before moving over to work for a year at the Clinton News Record. For Creces the decision to switch careers was not done lightly. He had been thinking about it for a long time but cross- ing the line into politics could put his journalism career jeopardy. "We've had such poor represen- tation since I started in Huron - Bruce that I could not take another four years of this, he said. "It was kind of put up or shut up time for me:' Watching Senators being charged with fraud and what he called "unsupported" legislation being passed pushed him to run. He sites the Anti -terrorism Act, which he said gives CSIS over- reaching powers and isn't favoured by most Canadians. Creces said that his honesty sets him apart. He knows that citizens hear politicians say that all the time but said he isn't trying to project any type of false impressions of who he is or what he would be like as a Huron -Bruce representative. "I see the phony images being projected, or the ego and the sense of entitlement that our representatives are displaying and that is just not me at all," he said. "We just need ordinary people running for government." It's happening in Alberta and it can happen here, he added. Creces has been working -poor his whole life. He believes that economists and lawyers, so often elected to government, don't always understand or forget about the needs of regular people, some- thing he claims he won't do. Creces' focus for Huron -Bruce is on three main issues; rural poverty, transportation and the economy, three areas that, in his view, seniors and youth are tak- ing the biggest hit. While there is money for youth programs, Creces said it is going unused, adding that youth reten- tion is integral to economic growth. "There are youth job pro- grams...that would set people up, give them jobs, take them out of poverty and get them contrib- uting to the local workforce. It's just going unspent, it's going ignored. Those people aren't vot- ers," Creces explained. Youth and seniors are often competing for jobs and a good poverty and transportation strat- egy will change that as well as meaningful pension reform, Cre- ces said. Creces has reported exten- sively on transportation issues and says having a healthy rural economy is directly connected to transportation availability. If people aren't able to get to jobs in other places due to lack of transportation it's going to cause a labour mismatch. He claims when he was report- ing there never was a federal representative at think tank or board meetings. He believes research on trans- portation issues is being ignored, which is something he wants to change. "That's one of the main things I want to do; give the attention that these people need or deserve because they are work- ing towards solutions but if nobody in the federal govern- ment is listening to them it's going to get put on a shelf and that's incredibly sad," Creces said. Creces has made a pledge to donate five per cent of his MP salary to charity if elected. He hasn't pinpointed a charity yet because he said that would be : y +, A i110 s ii Contributed photo Former Goderich Signal Star and Clinton News Record reporter Gerard Creces is seeking the NDP nomination for Huron -Bruce. up to people in his riding. "The only way ordinary people are going to change the govern- ment is when ordinary people start making up the government. I'm just about as ordinary as you can get and so that's why I'm doing this," he said. Creces needs NDP members to vote for him in order to secure his spot as the candidate for Huron -Bruce. More information on Creces' bid for nomination can be found on his Facebook page at https:// www.facebook.com/GC4NDP. Some county councillors concerned about G2G trail North Huron Mayor says process hasn't been transparent so far Dave Flaherty Postmedia Network Although most county council- lors are in favour of the Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail (G2G), some members are questioning how eve- rything came together. Paul Vander Molen, Huron County representative on the G2G steering committee and Chris Lee, vice -chair of Goderich to Guelph Rail Trail Inc., provided an update to council at the May 13 committee of the whole meeting. North Huron Mayor Neil Vincent said while he supports the idea of the trail, he has some concerns. Namely, he said North Huron already has a lease on part of the trail. "What assurances can you give us on the liability" he asked. Vincent also believes the consul- tation process has not been as transparent as G2G Rail Trail Inc. has indicated. "It has been a closed process so far," Vincent said. In his view, the concerns of adjacent landowners have not been addressed sufficiently. "Adjacent landowners can make or break a trail," he said. "Don't tick off the neighbours." He also urged Lee and Vander Molen to make sure they have sup- port from stewardship groups "on paper'; citing a similar situation in North Perth where the municipality now has to have a full-time employee to maintain a trail. Central Huron Mayor Jim Ginn said a recent press release from the G2G "caused problems" in his municipality. He also believes landowner issues have not been addressed and the press release made it appear some local politicians have "gone back on their word': Ginn then requested a copy of the interim lease be provided to county council. Vander Molen defended the actions of the group so far, saying they've been very transparent and worked closely with a group of county staff. However, he said it was not their intention to "circumvent county council" and they are willing to listen. "We are concerned about the concerns of adjacent landowners," he said. Bluewater Mayor Tyler Hessel spoke highly of the trail and the work of G2G Rail Trail Inc. so far. "I think we should commend a group that works towards active transportation and healthy life- styles," he said. Hessel said the G2G was a perfect example of "not worrying about borders" and regional partnerships. "This is a game changer. It will be bring new people in our communi- ties," he added. Moving forward, Vander Molen said there are some issues that need to be addressed. "Our biggest concern is ATVs;' he said. "As far as landowners are con- cerned, we are stopping the ATVs until clubs can convince the Ontario government (to allow them on the trail). Another concern is milkweed, which some stewardship groups would like to see planted along the trail to attract Monarch butterflies. However, because of the poten- tial dangers of milkweed to humans, Vander Molen said the plant must be managed carefully. "That's why it is important for the county to be involved," he said. The lease between the Ontario government and G2G Rail Trail Inc. will commence on July 1. "It's exciting to see some concrete action;' Lee said. "Our vision has always been to move to the point where users have a seamless experience.' Lee said the newly introduced Ontario Trails Act will "break down all barriers to trail development" Vander Molen admitted they were "surprised as anyone" when the government approved the lease and told them they would be mov- ing forward on July 1. Once completely open, the trail will span 127 km from Goderich to Guelph. Local municipal councils can expect visits from G2G representa- tives in the near future, Vander Molen added. The goal is for the municipalities which the trail runs through, including Huron County, to take over the lease. Wednesday, May 20, 2015 • News Record 3 Welcome back race fans! What a fantastic start to another great season of live harness racing at Clinton Raceway. What a great place to enjoy the unofficial kick off to summer, right up close to the action. This season has brought some more positive change to Clinton Raceway. An addition to the shade pergola at the South end of the grandstand, a newly paved parking lot for easier accessibility and a new sound system so the entire town can hear what's going on track side. We had CHSS on hand for another successful fundraiser to help support their challenge day, we gave a way a BBQ and as always had lots of laughs between the races with the Super Sunday Show! It really is the best place to be on a sunny Sunday afternoon. We're back this Sunday with a 50+ event, lunch, program and betting voucher for only $12! Bring your friends, neighbours and family for a great afternoon of racing and entertainment. Live race post time is 1:30pm all summer long. Visit www.clintonraceway.com for more information and a complete schedule of events. Li ve Al l ^yunwmLne� SUNDAY MAY 24 $2 betting voucher Live race program ue,�1 Lunch Cr 11 OLG group gaming offer Olt QE RS�N Door Prizes Q�� Chilton Raceway Presents SUPER' SU AY SHOW REGISTER NOW FORA GREAT DAY AT THE RACES every live race day in the 2013 season! MORE GAMES, MORE FUN, MORE PRIZES! ts, CLINTON raceway 147 Beech St. 519.482.1678 clintonraceway.com