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[20 |, The South Marysburgh Mirror] | | THE LAST WORD | So the word is that we have a municipal election coming up on November 13", The press has started to carry articles on the candidates and their shopping lists of how they will make your ward a better place in which to live. Standing for public office is not an easy task, and every op- portunity must be taken to engage the voting public in the hope that your plan of action will attract more votes than those of the other candidates. There are good candidates standing in South sh, and it is at only one can be elected. It seems to me that council should find ways to include some of the better “losing” candidates in their committees, thus retaining some excellent input and providing opportunities for those who sought office to get closer to the action. This is, if you will, a form of training that would benefit both candidates and council. The question of how many councilors we should have is one I have spoken about in the past, and yes, I be- lieve we are “top heavy” in that area. Some reductions could be made that would provide a more evenly balanced council chamber. Do we really require one councilor for every 1500 residents? Is it right that areas with greater population should ‘dictate’ to more rural parts of the County? This becomes an issue when subjects like ATV’s and hunting are discussed, doesn’t it. ‘NIMBY’ is now a very meaningful question. My friend who attended the “all candidates” meeting in Milford last week commented that it was a lively meeting with some good debate and ably mediated by your own Ber- nie Gaw. It was unfortunate that only one school board trus- tee came out for the debate and one wonders what the other might have been like. It could therefore be a shoe-in for the G ) PUZZLE 17 BRAN. 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The mayoralty race, even with Mayor Finnegan’s unfortunate illness clouding the horizon, seems to be a one horse race with Adam, an inexpe- rienced, yet very likeable and sincere contender making a run at the top position. I fear that he should have stood for a position as a councilor FIRST, and considered standing for the top job following a four year apprenticeship. I find it strange that issues like property tax increas- es and burgeoning development are not higher on the candi- date’s discussion lists. They are hot topics; they are current topics, unlike the hospital. It is yesterday’s news thanks in part to Mr. Smitherman’s visit earlier this year, and state- ment that he saw a bright future for PECMH. The Municipal Council can be of great assistance providing they take a POSITIVE stance and “TALK UP OUR HOSPITAL and its employees, instead of innuendo and negativism. With the LHIN now in place, there are wonderful opportunities to show to its leadership how Council and the Foundations stand behind QHC and, in particular, its hospital which is located in Picton. Let’s get positive about QHC and help them to do their work in a positive and encouraging atmos- phere. The possibility of more “Big Box” stores seems like a threat to our existence and way of life in the downtown core. Please pay attention to this as it is a threat to the Coun- ty way of life. I do not hear council expressing any signifi- cant concerns at this time. What about the issue of a new sewage plant or greatly expanded council offices... huge cost to the taxpayer of the County. No great debate happening there. What about too much expansion requirin; great investment in our infrastructure at a rate possibly faster that it can be collected through taxes? Again the result is HIGHER TAXES folks. Tell me that your taxes have not in- creased at a rate greater than the rate of inflation! i.e. faster than you can earn it! Don’t expect the realtors or the builders to support any moves to limit growth in this area. It is their livelihood and they simply will not support restrictions on their ability to build or market development (farm) land and properties. I wonder why we seemingly have several people associated with development, standing for office? If elected, I hope they are careful in declaring interest (if applicable) when it comes to planning decisions. Food for . That’s it for this month folks. The next issue of the Mirror will tell us what happened in our wards; both the good and also the not so good news. Till then, THINK care- fully about your vote and where it will go, but above all, GET OUT THERE AND MAKE THAT VOTE. The County deserves to know that you care. Bill Y: Friend oF The County.