It was generally a tightly timed meeting on Sept. 24 as Erin local, county and school board representatives brought their platforms to the table.
East Wellington Chamber of Commerce chair David Netherton noted while such meetings are typically hosted by the local Optimist Club, that group is very busy with various projects prior to the Erin Fall Fair.
Netherton said that as the chamber representing businesses within the community, the intent was to provide a forum with a business focus. Because of the number of political hopefuls most questions were limited to the three mayor candidates and a limited number of others (selected by lottery in advance).
COUNTY COUNCILLOR WARD 9 CANDIDATES
Barb Tocher
Tocher said she has lived and worked in the Town of Erin for more than 45 years.
“I understand what running a business in town is like,” she said.
Over the years, Tocher has served locally as a town councillor, mayor, a county councillor and Wellington County warden.
Lou Maieron
Currently the mayor of Erin, Maieron said his decision to run for county was based on the time requirements for the mayor’s position.
He noted he has represented Erin residents at the county table for the past three terms – twice as a ward councillor and the current term as mayor. He spoke of the county’s economic development committee initiative.
“I’ve tried to advance the town’s economic development program to dovetail into what the county is doing.”
He said changes are needed to both the tax base and the attitude taken towards attracting business.
“We’re in a competition with not just the other municipalities of Wellington County, but neighbouring municipalities such as Orangeville, Brampton and all points in between.”
Pierre Brianceau
Brianceau said he and his family have lived in the area for the past 33 years.
He served as a public school board trustee from 1991 to 1997. During that time he worked to create partnerships to solve the lack of facilities for Erin students. He said those efforts helped to bring in $20 million for local schools – including the current Erin High School.
Brianceau also worked to ensure the completion of Centre 2000.
“I’m running for the position of county councillor to continue the works built thus far,” he said.
“If you are tired of the same old team, same old policies, with the same old promises, you do have a choice.”
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Allan Alls
Alls said, “My goal if elected is a community growth strategy which will direct our future development – not to let it happen haphazardly.”
He also wants to see “a shovel-ready wastewater project, whatever it happens to be.” Alls said he would particularly like to see a project which is performance-based. Another goal is a 10% reduction in the residential share of the tax base from 92% to 82%.
Rod Finnie
Finnie has lived in the community for over 50 years.
“I moved away for a little while, but I came back because I love this place.” He said what is needed is a change in the environment of the town.
“For the past little while, it hasn’t been working well. It is critical we all work together and on the same page.”
He asked residents to work with him to help make the town better. “I have experience and I know how to get things done and I have a plan to make that happen.”
David Lyver
Lyver said he was running to provide an alternative choice.
“The reality is we have Rod Finnie coming back … possibly and we have another gentleman who is basically a real estate agent. I don’t think that’s good for the environment.”
He said right now people are selling their homes trying to leave the community. “We have the opportunity to stop them from selling their homes and encourage them to stay.” Lyver said a better look is needed to see where growth needs to be.
COUNCIL CANDIDATES
Evelyn McLean
McLean is a retired OPP officer and later operated a paralegal firm. While this might be her first foray into politics, her career has been based on working as part of a team.
“As you all know this town is dying without economic development. We need to get working together for one goal and for one town – the Town of Erin.”
Matt Sammut
Sammut said, “I’ve lived in the community for over six years and I see a community with deep, deep assets. The problem is we are not managing those assets and maximizing value from them.”
Instead, Sammut sees escalating costs, low industry growth and a struggling main street. Sammut’s background is in the financial sector where he was involved in the creation of various strategy groups.
“This town needs strategy and financial guidance. Right now in both areas we are struggling.” He said if residents love their town the situation can turn around.
George Silva
This election marks Silva’s second time running for a council seat. He first tried for the position shortly after moving to the town.
“As many of you know our current council is dysfunctional. They haven’t moved on anything and haven’t created any growth.” He said the current lineup includes past mayors and past councillors seeking similar positions.
“What you need is a fresh face like myself who is young and has new ideas to bring to the table. It is not the same old, same old.”
Jamie Cheyne
Cheyne lives in Hillsburgh and it also his first shot at municipal politics.
“I grew up in Hillsburgh and have lived here all my life.” He said there are several things which need to be addressed including economic development and the regulation of fill on local properties.
“We need to bring people into town to help businesses that are here and ways to bring more businesses here. But we need to do it on our terms, not those of major corporations.”
Shawn Wilson
The local business owner has lived in the area for generations “and we’ve always considered Erin our hometown.”
Wilson said while he loves Erin, “the town is in a dormancy and not doing well. It’s time to revitalize with a wider tax base with increased industry, commercial and tourism.”
Rob Smith
Smith is a member of the town’s environmental committee and a founding member of the chamber of commerce.
“As a business owner, I have a vested interest in the future of this town. I’d like to do the best I can for the people of this town.”
John Brennan
Brennan said he worked with the volunteers involved in the town’s business expansion and retention study for the equine industry.
He has also worked with the CAO and consultant to work on the county-wide BR&E study which explored other industry sectors.
Brennan stated that in the last budget, he helped to persuade council to set aside funds to create a position for an economic development officer to revitalize the community and make the town a better place.
Josie Wintersinger
Wintersinger said as a current councillor, “I’m just coming off a very tumultuous term of office, but I would like to continue on. I have every intention to improve what we couldn’t improve before.
“I’m very sorry the situation ended up the way it did, but I am quite sure with a good team leader we can make a difference.”
Jeff Duncan
Duncan recently retired from a 25-year career in municipal planning and development. He’s connected to the local business community through his wife’s business – Heidi Ho Gardens.
“I have a good idea of what it means to be self employed in a small business.” He has served on Erin’s committee of adjustment for the past 17 years. He said his work and role on the committee was to help people do what they wanted to do on their lands, in their buildings and with their businesses.
Christopher Naraysingh
Naraysingh moved his business from Mississauga to Erin about six years ago.
“I’ve been concerned about the way businesses are treated by the town for quite a while,” he said. “Looking at our current economic situation, we need to improve business in the town.”
While he said he enjoys living in a safe, healthy and eco-friendly environment, “We do need growth, but it must be controlled growth to ensure Erin’s style is kept the way it is.”
Craig Porterfield
This marks Porterfield’s second shot at council.
“Hopefully the second time is the charm,” he said. Having take part in various committees, Porterfield is convinced of their value in providing information to and from the council.
“I think that communication could be improved.” “Hopefully we can encourage more smaller businesses to start up,” he said.
