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Huron Expositor, 2013-12-25, Page 22 Huron Expositor • Wednesday, December 25, 2013 Huron -Bruce MPP reflects on the year that was David Flaherty WI Agency To call 2013 a tumultuous year in the Ontario Legislature may be an understatement. The governing Liberals have been under scrutiny on a number of issues including can- celled gas plants, the Green Energy Act and labour issues with elementary and secondary school teachers. Huron -Bruce MPP Lisa Thompson was at a loss for words when asked if she felt the Liberals got anything right in 2013. "I really can't find one thing," Thompson said. She said Premier Kathleen Wynne told PC leader Tim Hudak that once the Legislature reconvened in September, she would be willing to wipe the slate clean and bring some attention to the issues ofjob cre- ation and the economy. "Since then, they've brought in bills, that while important in their own context, have not addressed those issues at all," she said. Thompson said there is a huge void of jobs in both the urban and rural areas of the province. She expressed her dismay in the increase of membership fees, or what she called "the trades tax',' through the Ontario College of Trades. "We have to stop the burden on small businesses," Thompson said. Thompson criticized the Lib- erals for "gouging Ontario tax- payers" whether it be increasing hydro rates or proposing increases to gas taxes. Locally, Thompson said the bureaucracy of health care has really been felt in rural areas such as Huron -Bruce. She said hospitals are strug- gling and not enough focus is being put on care that helps people stay in their homes longer as they age. Thompson said the Liberals are also squeezing down on municipalities through decreases in funding through the Ontario Municipal Partner- ship Fund (OMPF). She said those cuts could lead to tax increases that while administered through munici- palities, are as a result of provin- cial actions. However, Thompson said it wasn't all bad news in 2013 as she listed a number of accom- plishments in the riding this year. She highlighted the Field to Fort Gala, which she said shows the local agricultural industry recognizes the efficiency in moving forward with "farming hubs': Also, she credited the local residents who have shown initi- ative by developing potential uses for the Bluewater Youth Centre in Goderich. Speaking about a group of members of the Huron County 4-H Club called the Wawanosh Girls who won the provincial Go for the Gold competition at the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair this fall, Thompson said local youth are showing an interest in being positively involved in the community. She also spoke highly of Glen and Vanda McNeil, a couple from Ashfield- Colborne-Wawanosh. With son Curtis, they were recognized by the Bank of Montreal as one of the 10 outstanding "farm families" in Ontario. Thompson said she was very happy with a renewable energy symposium meeting she held in July which attracted representatives from a number of renewable energy industries. Although the 41st Ontario provincial election is not scheduled until October of 2015, Thompson said she and the PC party are ready and able should it come sooner. "We are focused on it now," Thomp- son said, noting that the party has released a number of "white papers" which discuss its plans on a wide vari- ety of topics including health care, edu- cation, rural and northern issues and manufacturing just to name a few. However, she said the trigger on an election could only be pulled by the NDP, which she said has propped up the Liberal government. "I've seen the NDP sit on their hands to avoid controversy!" Asked how the PC Party plans to dethrone a Liberal government that has been in power for over a decade, Thompson said, "I encourage people to be honest with themselves and access what the current (party) has created!' While Thompson said she likes Wynne as a person and truly believes she "thought she could make a difference" when she became premier, "The mess created by Liberal policies, governance and leadership is so enormous...it takes more than a person with a good heart to make the right decisions to turn this province around." With some political analysts saying the next election could be PC leader Tim Hudak's last chance if he loses, Thompson made it clear she is 100% behind him. "I'm absolutely behind Tim Hudak. He understands what needs to be done to move the province forward in recovery mode," Thompson said. "While we have confidence in Tim, he has confidence in us (his caucus) that you may not see in other parties" "He has the type of leadership that we need, not the type of leadership we have been getting." Council votes against community benefits fund Whitney South Huron Expositor In a 5-4 decision, Huron East council voted against a bylaw that would have seen the municipality collect funds from the St. Columban Energy Limited Partnership over the course of a 25 -year agreement. The vote, which took place Dec. 18, had been a controversial one, sparking debate at several council meetings over past weeks. The community benefits fund in question was opposed by members of Huron East Against Turbines (HEAT), who had continued to voice their objections to the agreement both in and out of council chambers. Members of HEAT filled the room, some having to stand, while others sat on the floor. At the beginning of meeting, HEAT spokesperson Jeanne Melady addressed council with the group's concerns regarding the community benefits fund, as well as a road use agreement, both put forth by the St. Columban Energy company. OFFICE HOURS The Office Hours for The Seaforth Huron Expositor is as follows Mondays - 9am - 5pm Tuesdays - CLOSED Wednesdays - 9am - 5pm Thursdays - 9am - 5pm Fridays - 9am - 5pm Seaforth liffr011 Expositor 8 Main Street, Seaforth ON PH: 519-527-0240 www.seaforthhuronexpositor.com "How can anybody here justify approving agreements that will extend past the life expectancy of the members of council?" she said, explaining the group's request for council to make an informed decision, as it was critical that all clauses were well understood by each member. "In our view," she added. "The vibrancy fund is a bad agreement and refusing to sign this agreement is something you can do for your people. We ask you do that." Tensions ran high once again as discussion turned to answering several questions posed by HEAT to council in a written document. Council answered the group's issues regarding several aspects of the road user agreements and vibrancy fund individually. Not everyone was happy with what council had to say, and the gallery didn't hold back when it came to voicing its opinion. Mayor Bernie MacLellan said he was doing his best to answer the group's questions, but added that regardless of whether or not the bylaws were passed, the outcome would not change the progress of the project. "We are in the position where the turbines are going to go ahead," he said, adding it was not the municipality but the province that made the decision to put up the turbines. "We can't stop them from happening whether we sign these agreements or not, they're still going to put them up. You're still arguing to the wrong crowd." In the end, council voted in favour of two other bylaws; the St. Columban Energy road use agreement, as well as the vibrancy fund offered by Varna Wind Inc. POLICE BRIEF Speeder charged NORTH HURON —A 21 -year-old driver is facing a court date and a seven-day driver's suspension after being stopped for allegedly speeding on Donnybrook Line. According to Huron OPP, at 2:44 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 13, a Chevrolet Monte Carlo was observed racing near Zion Road. Police said the driver was traveling 178 km/h in a 90 km/h zone. The Lucknow male has been charged with race a motor vehicle. The accused is scheduled to appear in Goderich court Jan. 21. His vehicle was impounded for seven days. Call THE f LUNG ASSOCIATION' When you can't breathe, nothing else matters.T. Asthma 0 We can help.