The Lucknow Sentinel, 1991-11-20, Page 1U.
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Port Albert bridge the largest project acing new Ashfleld council
by Pat Livingston
With the exception of the deputy
reeve position, all seats on Ashfield
Township's council were filled by
acclamation.
Reeve
Allan Gibson is entering his third
term as reeve for the Township of
Ashfield. As reeve for a
municipality, one must be prepared
to devote a considerable amount of
time to the position. In addition to
the two regular monthly meetings
for the township, Allan attends two
Huron County meetings each
month. That makes a total of four
per month. If you sit as chairman
on a county committee 'you are•
re,quired,to attend one-mor6meeting
each month. This does not include
special meetings which may be
necessitated to deal with township
business.
Two years ago when he was
chairman of the county road com-
mittee, Allan attended over 100
meetings. All this is in addition to
the time required by an individual
to hold down a full time job (if not
retired) or run your own business.
Keeping all this in mind, Allan
said, "The three-year term (on
municipal council) could scare off
some going for reeves."
Allan said the township is in a
good fmancial position. The biggest
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Allan Gibson
project facing the municipality will
be the new bridge at Port Albert:
He said, "The township's house is
in order regarding this project, and
application will be made to the
Ministry of Transportation Ontario,
in January, for funding. 'If ap-
proved,, the project would take two
years to be completed. The overall
economy plays a large part in what
the township can do. It's up to the
province."
Recylcing will be 'a major issue
facing Ashfield council during the
next three yearS. The municipal'
Gwen Fisher
landfill site in the township has
designated areas for various types
of refuse. "It is a most costly
project," Allan said. "The education
of people to reduce the amount of
landfill waste is high on a list of
priorities."
Allan zeroed in on a hot issue
with him saying,, "I'm fed up with
the social services program; (it's)
completely out of control; we must
take a hard look at them. When
people on social programs make,
more than farmers there is
Something wrong." He continued
Elston joins race for Liberal leader
° by Ron Wassink
WALKERTON—Bruce MPP
Murray Elston is no longer the
interim leader of the official op-
position. Instead, Elston has joined
the six -man race in hopes of
becoming the next leader of the
provincial Liberals.
Elston made his announcement in
Walkerton early Friday morning in
front of his family and a crowd of
reporters and a handful of campaign
workers.
The 8 a.m. announcement came
as no real surprise as supporters had
expected Elston to join the race
after a convincing "Draft Elston"
meeting in Walkerton earlier in the
week.
At the earlier meeting, Elston said
he had received calls from sup-
porters across the province wanting
him to stand for the leadership.
Supporters had said they "liked" the
candidates already in the race, but
were not impressed, and that's why
they wanted Elston.
In announcing his intentions,
Elston said Friday his letters of
resignation had been filed at
Queen's 'Park removing him as
interim opposition leader, a job he
took over from Robert Nixon, then
interim leader, earlier this year.
Liberals will choose a new leader
in February to replace former
Premier David Peterson, whose
government was defeated in a NDP
landslide a year ago. Peterson lost
his London seat in that election.
Now that Elston has joined the
race, he is being touted by, his
supporters as being the province's
next, premier.
His supporters have said that
"there doesn't seem to be anyone
Prepared to stand up for Ontario,"
Elston said after his speech.
"I'm concerned we have . this
sense that we've got to be kind of
jello -like when people talk to ,us
about tough issues."
He said there are people who
depend on government.
"We have to be there. People
need us to speak out. I felt a need
turn to page 2
Paul Frayne
saying he "would prefer to see the
responsibility revert back to the
local level." "
The township's road program wili
continue on as in the past where
various roads will' be built up and
culverts replaced, • as the budget
permits. With 120 miles qf roads in
the municipality; Allan said,
"We've come a long way in the last
10 years with road improvements."
As is the majority of taxpayers,
Allan too is concerned with the cost
of education. Ashfield over 60
per cent of the taxes goes for
Ben an Diepenbeek
education. He said, "if anything is
to be done it must be done on a
province -wide basis', (we) must look
at the system and work together."
On the lighter side of business,
the township will celebrate its 150th
birthday next July. Allan said, "(o -
minium are pretty well in place,
but volunteers are needed."
Marian Zinn and Maytne Wilkins
are spearheading a group gathering
infonnation for a history book on
the Western Division of the
township. (The history of the north -
turn to page 2
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The Elston Clan was on hand early last Friday Morning to offer their support when Murray Elston, Bruce
MPP, announced his candidacy for the Liberal leadership, Shown with Murray and his wife Trudy, from
the left are their children: Sean, Gillian, Erin, frit and Jeannine. (Ron Wassink photo)