bCounty council candidates from Wards 4 and 5 attended the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce meeting here on Sept. 29, but they faced only a handful of questions from an audience that seemed to focus on the mayoralty race.
Incumbent Ward 4 councillor Lynda White had it particularly easy since her challenger, Jim Heinbuch, did not attend.
She cited her record over the past ten years, including being Warden in 2004, as well as her work on the Groves Hospital Board.
For county Ward 5, in–cumbent Jean Innes said tax increases were once as high as 13% but since she has been on county council, they dropped so that this year the increase was 2.4%.
She said she would like to see the county obtain a part of the gas tax currently being given to large centres for public transit.
She said smaller municipalities pay that tax so “Now, it’s time to collect.”
Challenger Bob Wilson cited a number of projects the county has done have benefited Centre Wellington, and he noted the Fergus library is slated for major renovations in the next five years.
Wilson warned there might still be pressure on county finances as the economy has not yet turned around, and there will be “pressure on capital projects.
Wilson also warned that people who say they can come in and cut spending are “flirting with fantasy.”
Meeting sponsor the chamber of commerce asked the county councillors what they would do to bring economic development to the township.
White said the county has already begun investigating an economic development committee, and it also provides the infrastructure for economic growth.
Innes, too, cited the work of a new committee, but noted that it will consider economic growth “county wide.”
She said the various areas of the county offer a variety of opportunities, from cheap land in the north to an excellent quality of living and beauty in the centre, to closeness to the Highway 401 and major markets in the south and east.
Wilson agreed with White and Innes, and said county council will view the county as a whole, and that economic development anywhere in the county will benefit all other areas in the long term.
Because of the format of the meeting, residents could ask only two candidates a question. Julia Tinsdale-Biscoe asked only Innes what she would do at the county to enhance culture.
Innes replied the county has not been much involved in that, but she could support cultural groups when they come to the county with requests.
In the wrap up, Wilson said that county council is no longer “the courteous place it was” and said it needs strong councillors, and he believes he is the best candidate for Ward 5.
Innes said working on county council is “a huge com–mitment” that she can handle and she is “always mindful of fiscal oversight.”
She said she has represented county Ward 5 for the past four years and would like to do so again.
White said the important issues are managed growth and she values heritage and green spaces. She cited the Rural Water Quality Program as a major operation to benefit farmers with over $400,000 in the budget this year for it.
She concluded she will live up to the “other three Rs: respect for self; respect of others; and responsibility for her actions.
