Fight 446
On the heels of Labour Day, “fight” was the word that consumed our Monday morning thoughts.
The fight for labour issues, the fight to earn a living, the fight against injustice, and for residents between Fergus and Belwood, it is the Fight 446 Homes movement.
Everything seems to be a fight.
The most significant issue facing Centre Wellington in the next term is development. There is some irony in this, considering one of the primary selling points of amalgamation at the time was to avoid squabbles around planning.
Fringe development, competing interests for river-loading effluent, water rights and a road network of consequence were factors that made this bigger, disentangled layer of government appealing.
Adding to those shortcomings is a freight train of pressure from developers and a provincial government obsessed with growth. Even if the work were in place to ensure sustainable, practical developments that were about “living” rather than simply a place to hang one’s hat, all of those hopes can be dashed with an order from the Ontario Land Tribunal.
So, fight, we must.
And that is a shame.
Youthful enthusiasm
Most municipal election candidates are getting into the thick of things already.
Between social media activity, pamphlets, signage and posters, there is little doubt costs are mounting. Add to that, the time to canvas door to door, despite having gainful employment elsewhere, candidates are investing heavily in this election.
Early in the election process a call came in wondering if the Advertiser could help out with some questions for a candidate night. We were happy to oblige and even happier to know a local forum was being made available to the public.
The quirk in this plot was the organizer was a candidate too. David DeWitt, a candidate for Centre Wellington Ward 3, was disappointed to learn the debate nights of days gone by were left unplanned this year. So, he planned one and those people attending agreed to chip in for the event.
Every candidate has been invited, and it will be a bit of a hybrid evening, with speeches, a few questions and opportunity for the public to speak one-on-one with their potential candidates.
For us, this youthful enthusiasm deserved support, which seemed to surprise Dewitt a little. Of the hundreds, potentially thousands of dollars candidates will need to spend, they shouldn’t have to also contribute financially to a community night. We will look after that cost for them.
Our columnist Kelly Waterhouse will introduce candidates and offer up some questions. After the semi-formal portion of the night, the public will have a chance to interact with people they heard speak.
Mark Sept. 26 on your calendar today. The event will run from 6 to 9pm.