There’s a fair selection of candidates here for the upcoming municipal elections.
The number of candidates is enough that the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce split its event into two nights – one for candidates and residents of the Elora area and another for those in the Fergus area.
On Sept. 25 Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce president Janet Harrop welcomed those gathered for the first of two candidate nights sponsored by the chamber.
MAYORAL CANDIDATES
Kelly Linton
Linton was pleased to see the turnout of those taking part in the democratic process. After obtaining his master’s degree in public policy and administration, Linton spent 15 years as a government change specialist.
He said towns, cities and other organizations hire him to help them become more efficient, effective and customer focused.
“I’m running for the mayor of Centre Wellington because I’m convinced that we need a change in leadership to achieve our potential as a community,” said Linton.
After four years as a councillor, Linton is convinced it is time for change.
“Eight years under the same regime is long enough and another four years of the status quo would be unhealthy,” said Linton, who outlined three priorities for change.
“I believe in an engaged community – not just during the election campaign – but on a regular basis,” he said.
“I believe in open and honest leadership. We need to embrace democracy.”
He also advocates prioritized spending and said clear funding priorities need to be developed consistent with taxpayer priorities.
“Your priorities, your taxes, your government. It’s time to take it back.”
In addition to seasonal town hall sessions, Linton proposed citizen satisfaction surveys to see if residents believe they are getting value for the tax dollar. He also wants to work with council and staff to take a hard look at economic development.
“Sorry … it’s not enough to say jobs and prosperity over and over again,” he said. “We need to take some real action to find new ways to attract investment and business growth.”
Joanne Ross-Zuj
Ross-Zuj said over the past four years, township council has focused on a strategic plan that outlines the direction and focus for the future.
“Every success you see in our municipality is a result of going through that process,” she said.
She spoke of many infrastructure renewal projects, including Elora’s new wastewater treatment plant, a new pumping station, a relocated hydro substation to address anticipated growth, the redevelopment of Tower Street and the rebuilding of streets in Belwood.
“When we look at infrastructure it’s very evident that it is happening in the community,” but funding is another issue, Ross-Zuj said.
“We have to establish strong partnerships to continue.”
She added more work is needed to make dollars go further.
In terms of required infrastructure work, Ross-Zuj estimated the township is already $90 million behind.
“We need these funding partnerships to make these projects happen.” She said it is estimated that within 20 years, Centre Wellington’s population will double.
“We need to have a very strong growth plan that steers us in the direction we want to see our community develop.
“We are operating under a whole new regime which is taking us forward in the direction we need to be to be competitive,” she said.
Township Ward 1
CANDIDATES
Don Fisher
Fisher said he and his wife could have chosen to live anywhere, but chose Elora.
He said many places offer a wide range of amenities and are near major urban centres, “However this community is special. We are blessed with a significant inventory of built heritage and an extraordinary natural setting.”
Fisher called the local economy a rich mixture of culture and commerce, tourism and technology, agriculture and art.
“I am running for council because I want others to have the same choice I had,” said Fisher.
“We need to promote economic development to enlarge our tax base and the means to provide infrastructure and services required by our businesses, farm operators and residents.” There is also a need to promote the arts, heritage and scenic resources already here, he added.
“We as a municipal government and as a community need to recognize these resources are assets. Promoted and handled intelligently, they can be powerful economic and growth drivers. I believe this community is entering a significant period of change and transformation.
In his 30 years dealing with municipal government, he said he has seen opportunities squandered “with devastating consequences.”
“The best decisions arise out of a process which is open and transparent, that seeks out, listens to, and benefits from public input. Unfortunately the perception is that our township does not always operate this way.
“It is seen as closed, secretive and only doing the minimum required public consultation on major issues.”
Frederick de Vries
De Vries stressed the importance of communication.
A lifelong resident of Centre Wellington, de Vries said he has paid taxes in Ward 1 for over 30 years.
“It’s time for me to take that experience to the council table … and bring the communication back.”
He said one of his passions is the youth of the township.
“There’s a lot of youth, there are a lot of issues … It’s not the same township that I grew up in.” He said he will provide that communication to represent the residents of Ward 1.
Dean Workman
Workman said he first came to Centre Wellington in 1996 to visit his wife’s family. In 2005 they decided to immigrate to Canada “and we chose this place to be our home.”
“You guys who have lived here all your lives, consider yourselves blessed and fortunate – ‘cause it’s a really cool part of the world.”
A locksmith by trade, Workman lives on a farm just north of Elora and grew up in a family business environment.
He is used to 12-hour workdays, he said, which helped build his work ethic.
“I’ve always been willing to put in the time and effort needed to achieve the goal at hand.”
Coming from the private sector, Workman said he has a clear understanding that the cheque book has a finite source of funds and should be spent in a wise way. He said there is so much that needs to be done.
Township Ward 2
Kirk McElwain
Though acclaimed for the coming term, McElwain was given the chance to speak to those gathered. He said it had been his pleasure to serve as councillor for the past eight years.
“I can now focus 100% of my time either on council work or community volunteering,” he said.
“To me economic development is the most exciting department in municipal government. We have the opportunity to help existing businesses and create tools and plans to attract new business development.”
As such, he said the economic development committee will have more tools to help businesses thrive in the community.
He noted that Wellington County has also formed an economic development department, which gives the township an opportunity to leverage additional funding, resources and experience.
“I’m looking forward to the next four years … as we enjoy unprecedented growth and unprecedented government cutbacks while retaining the character of our community and keeping tax increases within inflation rates,” said McElwain.
Wellington County
Ward 5 CANDIDATES
Rob Black
Black said his roots run deep in Wellington County and Centre Wellington – dating back to 1834.
“I’m a resident of Ward 5, having lived here for close to 50 years,” he said.
“When asked why I wanted to run for county council I made it very clear that I didn’t have an axe to grind or a specific issue I needed to address. I have the time and skill sets necessary and the desire to give back to my community.
“I am willing to listen, to learn and to work hard for residents in this ward and for Wellington County.”
While there are specific issues which need to be addressed “for the most part people are happy and satisfied.” He added this area has great cultural and recreational facilities, health care services and a new hospital soon to be underway.
Black saw good policing services and vibrant downtowns, and plans to keep Centre Wellington and the county moving forward positively.
“Wellington County will only succeed and prosper if Centre Wellington and the other six municipalities are successful. Likewise Centre Wellington can’t do it on its own,” he said.
Jean Innes
Innes said it felt like little time had passed since she took the step from a municipal councillor to county councillor. The first years were spent at building protections against aggregate extraction.
“Then I realized we had to protect the lands owned by the county between Fergus and Elora.”
She described those lands as the perfect location for the new Groves hospital and the county’s head office buildings. She added the existing greenspace is precious and needs to be preserved.
“It is so rewarding to see work is almost complete on the Groves access road. One day Wellington Place will be the hub … the heart of Wellington County.”
Innes said her next objective at Wellington County council is looking at establishing an environmental committee of council.
“I believe it is time for the county to broaden its leadership role in municipal planning by taking a thoughtful look at its impact on the environment and to champion lifestyle and farming strategies … to protect our long-term future.”
Innes said there is also a need to keep a keen eye open for opportunities to develop a public transportation system.
Allan Hons
Hons said it was good to see so many interested residents in the audience.
He stated he had lived in Centre Wellington all his life and he feels the county is drifting away from the concerns and priorities of its citizens.
“I don’t believe they are paying attention to what this (attitude) results in.”
He said provincial downloading is not helping – “It did not stop when Mike Harris left office and it continues to this day.”
He pointed to the ending of the Connecting Link program, which leaves the cost of a provincial highway bridge in the hands of the township.
“It’s slowly turning our progressive taxation system into a regressive taxation system where those who can least afford it, have to give up something they want or forcing seniors with fixed incomes out of their homes,” Hons said.
He believed a fresh perspective on county council will help bring the issues forward to make sure tax dollars are used as wisely and as efficiently as possible.
Wellington County
Ward 6 CANDIDATES
Dianne Ballantyne
Ballantyne said Wellington County has a rather impressive voter turnout rate at about 49% compared to the provincial average of 35%.
“I’m proud to be part of a community that is so engaged in their political government,” she said.
Ballantyne said she wanted to be able to give back and contributing to a community is important. “Our town is growing and with growth comes change.”
“I work with families from all backgrounds and I see poverty, unemployment and illness and what it does to the fabric of our society.”
As an international trip coordinator and a global citizen, “I’ve experienced many cultures and fascinating ways of building community.”
“I want to do all that I can to create the healthiest, most prosperous, sustainable community for us, for our kids and for our grandkids.”
She wants to see smart growth to attract and grow great businesses to create a diversified tax base and enable more people to work locally.
“I’m here to offer assistance, not excuses,” she said, adding “not everything is possible … but much more is with a new perspective.”
Shawn Watters
Watters thanked all those who put their names forward for this election.
“It’s a great thing to be living in this community.”
Watters served on Centre Wellington council for a number of years before being elected as a ward representative for the previous term.
“What I’ve realized is that to be a good county councillor, you have to have experience in the community,” he said. In his own way, Watters sees this as his way of giving back to the community.
“I’m a doer, a helper. I’m out there in the community trying to do the best for you.”
He sees five main issues to be cognizant of: good governance, infrastructure, the environment, planning, and social responsibility.
Watters is ready to continue using his experience on council and working with other councillors to make a better community.
UPPER GRAND DISTRICT SCHOOL BOARD
David Gohn
Gohn said one of the most satisfying moments as a trustee is celebrating the milestones of education with students and parents alike.
“It is especially rewarding to recognize the achievement of those who have overcome difficult challenges.”
His ultimate goal is student success. Gohn said school trustees represent the public interest and the board makes decisions as a whole.
He said trustees play a key leadership role in ensuring schools operate within the standards issued by the province and that the programs and services remain responsive to the community.
“As the incumbent trustee I am proud to report the board is very healthy financially.” He said that is because the board has responsibly managed its grants from the Ministry of Education.
Gohn said with the continued growth in Centre Wellington, he anticipates the need for a new elementary school within the next five years.
That could entail an accommodation review to establish a French immersion centre – providing a single school for the French immersion program rather than its current division among two sites.
Barbara Lustgarten-Evoy
Lustgarten-Evoy said upon moving to Centre Wellington eight years ago, she and her husband made a conscious choice to “embed ourselves within the community”.
She commented on her own accomplishments, including being this year’s selection as Centre Wellington’s citizen of the year.
“I am deeply committed that our community continues to grow and prosper,” she said. “Everything that I am and everything that I do threads back to being about the children in our community.”
Lustgarten-Evoy said that as a school trustee she would want to see more community engagement in Centre Wellington.
UPCOMING MEETINGS
Remaining candidates spoke before the public at an Oct. 1 meeting (results not available for press time), and another all candidates meeting hosted by the Belwood Lions Club is set for 7pm on Oct. 8 at the Belwood Hall.
