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The Lucknow Sentinel, 1987-09-02, Page 7Lucknow Sentinel, Wednesday, September 2, 1987—Page 7 Candidates meeting packs the house • from page 3 Mr. Klopp said there was a 1.4 per cent in- crease for the new OMAF office about three years ago but the money never got through. "That doesn't sit well with me," he said. Mr. Peters said he can't see a need for a larger office. "I don't think the OMAF office is as small as we think it is. When there are meetings there, it is full, but that's because there's a good six size crowd... I can't see a need for it." Mr. Riddell told the crowd there is going to be a new OMAF office in Clinton, and believes tenders have gone out on property already. "There will be a new OMAF office in Clin- ton and it will be here in the near future," he said. Low Income Housing On the topic of low income housing, or sub- sidized housing, Mr. Riddell and Mr. Klopp were in favor of it and Mr. Peters was against it. "It's a priority with Mr. Peterson and the Liberal government," said Mr. Riddell. "We should push that the government in- crease spending overall," said Mr. Klopp. Mr. Peters said, "We should create new wealth, not redistribute it..." Free Trade On the subject of free trade, the question was asked of Mr. Peters how he justifies free trade as supported by the PC party. He said he didn't support the liberal meaning of free trade, but felt it should be called freer trade or negotiated trade. He said rules needed to be put in place so everyone understands where they stood. Elementary School Funding At the present time, each elementary stu- dent is under funded $911 compared to the secondary school student. Mr. Peters was asked what he thought of ; this. "Our children have to deal with a lot less than those in the urban communities, and that's not right," he answered. He also said there is a proposal for 60 per cent funding for the school system, bringing it up from the 45 per cent which it has dropped to over the years. Bilingualism The question, "Should Ontario, with 90 per cent English speaking people, go bil- ingual" saw the microphone passed down the table by the other two candidates to Mr. Peters. He said, "I am against it" but added that if it were available to his kids, he would have sent them to the French Immersion classes. "But try and ram it down my throat and it'll come back and hit you." Mr. Klopp said, "I don't recall anyone try- ing to ram it down anyone's throat... I do believe we should have French and English in Ontario. It won't hurt anyone." Mr. Riddell was in favor of bilingualism, saying it would "bring people together as one happy family." One man in the audience disagreed. "Why isn't Quebec bilingual?" he asked, going on to say he has received documents from Quebec with not one single word in English. Mr. Riddell said changes are being made in Quebec as they are now more willing to talk to those struggling with their French, in English. Highway 8 Expansion The next question focused on the Highway 8 expansion, with the asker wondering if it would open the door for a chemical waste site in Huron County. • Mr. Riddell felt confident this wouldn't happen. "No, it won't open doors for chemical waste sites. The site has already more or less been selected although they still have to Due to the increase in business, we have immediate openings for qualified OWNER OPERATORS STEADY WORK WITH GUARANTEED MILEAGE LEASE PURCHASE AVAILABLE ('87 Freightliners) LAIDLAW CARRIERS INC. 235-2500 or 1-800-265-4249 Ask for Jim AMBERLEY GRAIN ELEVATOR DIVISION OF PARRISH & HEIMBECKER r► a n - 1 • RE IVE SOYBEANS and CORN * Certified Augusta Seed Wheat Available on Site AMBERLEY GRAIN ELEVATOR Jct. Hwy. 86 & 21 519-395-3601 go through the process." He did admit that Huron was being con- sidered for the site earlier, but. not any more. "What we do need is a better transporta- tion route to have industry located here," he concluded. Mr. Klopp took the expansion, which is proposed as passing lanes where needed, to mean a four lane highway. "I don't think we need a four lane highway, we're a rural community," he said. "But there is a difference between four lanes and upgrading. Mr. Peters, like Mr. Riddell, was in favor of the expansion as said Highways 8 and 4 are vital links to Huron County, moving raw products in and finished products out. "But no money and no dates have been set, yet they (Liberals) said it was a priori- ty..." said Mr. Peters. The final question of the night was about the $1 -billion debt. Since approximately $1 -billion was generated, and considered ex- tra money, why wasn't it used to wipe out the debt? The asker put two stipulations on Mr. Rid - dell's answer. He said, "Don't blame it on the NDP because you didn't give them any credit, and don't blame it on the PCs because you've had two years." Mr. Riddell said, "This is the first time the debt has been below $1 -billion. "We inherited some problems, the health care system was sliding, the Young Of- fenders Act was given to us and we had to improve the health and safety standards in the industries, and how do you do that? Put in more inspectors. "There was a long time need to spend money, and at the same time, we reduced the debt," concluded Mr. Riddell. The meeting, chaired by Brenda McIn- tosh, was sponsored by the Huron County Federation of Agriculture. Would you like to buy a more recent model? Come & look over our newest models. 1987 CHEV Y PICK-UP HEA V Y DUTY 1 - 1986 GMC % TON 1986 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE w/air 1986 MERCURY TOPAZ w/air 1985 PONTIAC BONNEVILLE w/air 1985 DODGE AIRES WAGON 1985 CHEVETTE 1984 PONTIAC PARISIENNE wagon 1984 OLDS DELTA 88BROUGHAM, 4 door, loaded 1979 OLDS REGENCY 98 4 door, loaded with extras HAMM'S Blyth Phone 523-4342 ELECT NICO Planning Your Future in HURON For Information Call NICO PETERS CAMPAIGN HEADQUARTERS Clinton - 482-7764 Exeter - 235-2026 Seaforth - 527-2266 Goderich - 524-8455 Wingham - 357-1148 .0000.101../0 4411"j04."1°.11.111 424 I 14 PL. 4114..11.°.°°1 7 rc? Authorized by the Huron Progressive Conservative Association