October 12, 2022

Southgate candidates square off at Egremont Optimist Community Centre in Holstein

BY SOUTHGREY.CA STAFF — On October 6, the Egremont/Proton Federation of Agriculture hosted an All-Candidates Meeting in Holstein. The event was moderated by Murray Calder.

The evening began with brief introductions from each of the candidates. All candidates were in attendance with the exception of Melissa Pallister.

"At the end of the day, I'm just here to help," said Ken Tucker, vying for a seat at Council. He claimed to have the time, capacity and ability to serve the municipality and promised to always answer his phone.

Incumbent Councillor Martin Shipston made his case for re-election. "If you want a good life and a good community, then you got to be a part of it," he said, quoting advice handed down to him.

Jim Ferguson positioned himself as a family-and community-oriented resident who has coached and served on the Mount Forest Minor Hockey Board. His priorities were to upkeep roads, revitalize downtown Dundalk and bring youth activities and opportunities to Southgate.

Cory Allen made his pitch to provide transparency, repair decaying infrastructure claiming that 50% of municipal roads are overlooked. "We need to make our community stronger," he exclaimed.

Incumbent Councillor Barbara Dobreen is looking to become the new Deputy Mayor and presented herself as a steadfast volunteer who advocates for seniors and youth alike. She promised, "I will listen and work to represent Southgate as a whole."

Michael Sherson — also a current Councillor — wants to move into the Mayor's position. "I have a passion for politics and giving back to the community," he pleaded and cited his community service under many organizations including Minor Hockey, 4H and the fire department.

Joan John is a new candidate for public office and explained her experience working with adults and seniors as well as her knowledge of restorative justice and addiction studies. A Chamber of Commerce executive member and Library Board volunteer, she coined her skills as "bridging the gap between those not having something to do, with those who have something to do."

Monica Singh Soares is another candidate for Councillor who boasted 16 years experience as a civil servant. "I want to be a part of continuous sustainable development," she said, expressing the desire to work with everyone in Southgate.

"My vision for Southgate is to make it somewhere that my kids want to come back to," said Christina Lieknins-Rittwage.

Deputy Mayor Brian Milne hopes to move back into the Mayor's seat and promised to represent every citizen and champion their ideas and causes. "The people of the community make this assignment so fulfilling," he stated.

When explaining the reason behind his candidacy, current Councillor, volunteer and Minor Hockey Board member, Jason Rice told the crowd that he wanted to give back to the community.

English School Board Trustee candidates Janice Kaikkonen and Shenika Reid took a smaller part in the evening's conversations. "We need to get back to basics," said Kaikkonen who wants to teach students the skills that employers are looking for. Shanika Reid said she would bring "positive, ground-up and focussed leadership" to the position.

Without prior knowledge of the questions, each candidate answered queries from the audience in limited time.

Some issues saw universal agreement from candidates. Everyone supported tax help for farmers and facility rental concessions for minor hockey. But selecting priorities at the budget table was a concern for most, as well. Brian Milne said, "It will be a financial challenge to find the resources to do what we're already doing."

Attainable housing for less fortunate citizens was a concern for Martin Shipston and Barbara Dobreen. The need for housing was also at the crux of a discussion about addiction and substance abuse. Support services and mental health counselling was the answer for most candidates, but Jason Rice was not inclined to agree. "I don't have a lot of sympathy for addicts," he said criticizing the poor choices that they make.

"Substance abuse brings crime to the community," said Jim Ferguson. "People have to want to get better," he continued.

"People who speak so harshly about (addiction and disability), never have to suffer through these things," said Monica Singh Soares.

Joan John said that there are underlying issues with the addiction crisis that police are not properly equipped to deal with.

Christina Lieknins-Rittwage agreed. "Policing is not the answer," she simply said, pointing to more support services for those afflicted.

One question addressed bylaw enforcement — when and how to apply. Several candidates felt that a public information campaign would be helpful. Michael Sherson said, "Sometimes, I think we have too many bylaws." Jim Ferguson went one step further. "I'd like to see bylaws you can actually understand when you read them!" he said.

On the issue of motorists speeding through our communities, public education, more OPP presence and speed limit enforcement were top priorities for Dobreen, Shipston, Milne, Allen and Ferguson. Monica Singh Soares took a hard line approach. "We need to make driving a privilege again!" she exclaimed.

Lieknins-Rittwage was less optimistic. "Municipally, there's not a whole lot we can do," she offered.

Many candidates mentioned decaying infrastructure and road repair in particular, as a major concern for the next Council, including Corey Allen and Jim Ferguson. Allen added waste water management to his list of complaints. "There's no end to what costs we'll have ahead of us in the next four years," he mused.

Michael Sherson pleaded for slower growth. "We can't keep up with the infrastructure we have now," he warned. "We need to slow down."

Joan John named the acquisition of a permanent doctor for the community to be the biggest challenge for Council.

Another question asked candidates if they would defend staff for following through on Council directives. While everyone indicated their support for staff, Corey Allen touched on his own note of discontent with the current Council. "Not one Councillor has ever issued an apology," he said with frustration. Continuing his discourse, he explained, "(Council) had grounds to dismiss the CAO but did not do so."

At the end of the night, Murray Calder thanked the candidates for their candid responses and expressed appreciation to the crowd in attendance.

 

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