The Citizen, 2003-10-29, Page 17THE CITIZEN, WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 29, 2003. PAGE 17.
Acclaimed candidates make their point
DAVID BLANEY
David Blaney
has been
acclaimed as
councillor
representing the
Brussels
residents in
Huron East.
Blaney has
FRANK STRETTON
An educator
been involved in politics as a
campaign manager at both the
has been
acclaimed to the
position of
Huron East
councillor for
Brussels.
Frank Stretton,
currently vice
principal of
federal and provincial levels for 25
years. During that time he also
worked with municipal and school
board candidates in Toronto,
Brampton and Halton Hills.
During the 1980s he was an
executive assistant to two provincial
MPPs for the riding of Halton.
For the past two years, Blaney has
been covering the council meeting
for The Citizen. “This has provided
me with a unique opportunity to
become familiar with the issues
facing council during a time when
the downloading of costs by the
provincial government and the issue
of amalgamation have put
extraordinary pressures on rural
communities.”
Blaney feels council must find
ways to more efficiently integrate
the five former municipalities
making up Huron East. His goal is
for the community to benefit from
the strengths that come with being
part of the larger municipality.
Listowel Central Public School is a
life-long resident of the village. He
has served one previous term with
Brussels council.
He chose to become involved
again as he has always had an
interest in politics and thought it
was time.
The important issue facing
council, he said, is to continue to
develop an identity for the new
community. “We will need to fine
tune the work done by the first
Huron East council. The long-term
plan is important if we are to make
the best use of tax dollars and avoid
unexpected surprises.”
Stretton wants to become
familiar with the various issues
affecting the wards of the
municipality to that informed
decisions can be made. “I want to
represent the views of the citizens
of the Brussels ward effectively.”
Ribbon cutting ceremony
Huron Small Business Enterprise Centre (HSBEC) in Seaforth celebrated its expansion on Oct.
24 with cake, doughnuts and a ribbon cutting. The centre hasn’t changed anything, just added
some new programs to encourage people to start up a new business. Helping to cut the ribbon
are from left: Carol Leeming, planner in the planning and developing department for HSBEC,
Bernie MacLellan, Huron East deputy mayor, Dave Urlin, Huron County warden, Paul Steckle,
Huron-Bruce MP, Jane Muegge, ministry of agriculture and food, Pam Stanley, director with
Huron Business Developing cooperation and Alison Lobb, business consultant with HSBEC.
(Elyse DeBruyn photo)
SHARON MCCLURE
Sharon
McClure has
represented the
residents
McKillop on
council for 15
years, 12 years as
township
councillor, and
this past term at
the table for
Huron East. She has been acclaimed
to the position for this term.
McClure has served on the Road
Watch committee, the Blyth Area
Fire Board and the Walton landfill
committee.
McClure decided to run again
because of her years of municipal
council experience, but also to have
input into the issues that affect the
people of McKillop and to work on
improving the merging of the
municipality.
Big issues facing council are
maintaining the quality of the
drinking water, the maintenance of
local roads and nutrient
management.
“I will be available to address the
concerns of our ratepayers to make
our tax dollars provide efficient
services.”
FERGUS KELLY
Long-time
McKillop
representati ve
Fergus Kelly has
been acclaimed
for another term
on Huron East
council.
Kelly served
six years on
council before amalgamation, then
served the past three years with the
new municipality’s council.
He filed papers for the position
because he wants to have input into
the decisions made by council. The
most important issue to to see that
the residents of McKillop ward are
looked after. Also, working towards
the betterment of Huron East is
another priority.
His personal goal is “to try to
improve services within Huron East
without raising taxes.”
Federation honours Helen Johns
By Keith Roulston
Citizen publisher
Huron County Federation of
Agriculture made a special
presentation to Helen Johns at its
annual meeting in Seaforth,
Thursday.
The former MPP for Huron-Bruce
and provincial minister of
agriculture and food was presented
with a plaque thanking her for her
years of service on behalf of
farmers.
In presenting the plaque Steve
Thompson of Clinton said he was
president when Johns was elected in
1995 and though she had little
experience in agriculture “We
quickly realized Helen was a
different kind of politician — if she
didn’t know, she would ask.”
But they also learned that if she
felt they didn’t know what they
thought they knew, she would send
them away until they really knew
something.
Federation leaders learned that
“we went to see Helen when we
knew something or had something to
say.”
When she became minister, others
around the province called Huron
for advice on dealing with her. “We
advised others that they’d better
know what they were talking about
or don’t go see her,” Thompson said.
Later, he said; the phone would
ring and the person on the other end
would simply say “This is Helen.”
“If you didn’t know it was Helen
Johns she was talking to the wrong
person.”
In accepting the award Johns said
she’d been reluctant to come to the
meeting because she didn’t want to
talk about politics but Federation
president Neil Vincent urged her to
come and meet with the many
friends she had made doing her job.
“My family and I feel it’s been an
incredible privilege to serve as an
MPP in Ontario and particularly in
Huron-Bruce,” she said.
“I’ve got to say you’ve been
amazing,” She praised the county’s
farmers. “People have offered me all
their knowledge.”
Johns said she and her family are
grateful to be able to move on to
other opportunities.
Check out The Citizen's
WEBSITE
at
www.northhuron.on.ca
ELECT
Alvin McLellan
Councillor
For Grey Ward
_______________________________________c
Re-Elect
Marg Anderson
Councillor for the Municipality of Central Huron
East Ward (former Township of Hullett & the Town of Clinton)
>■ dedicated with 6 years
experience
>• fair & willing to listen
>• accountable
>- team player
I would appreciate your support.
Any comments, questions or .
concerns call 523-4894
Voting will be held at the following times & locations:
November 1 - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Central Huron Municipal Office >
November 8 - 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Londesboro Community Hall
November 10 - 10:00 am to 8:00 prrr fn the Central Huron Secondary
School Gymnasiury
Remember... on Nov. 10
Elect Walter Elliott
Councillor For
The Ward of
West Wawanosh
• 3 Years as Deputy Reeve of West Wawanosh
• 3 Years as Councillor of West Wawanosh
/ would appreciate your support.
ELLIOTT, Walter X
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