February 8, 2012Large turnout greets by-election candidatesby Kay McQuadeElection fever struck the townships of Head, Clara & Maria as over 30 ratepayers (that’s more than 13% of the approximately 225 residents of the townships) gathered on Sunday, January 29 to “Meet & Greet” by-election candidates Doug Antler and Debbi Grills. The by-election will be held to replace former councillor Ed Aiston, who submitted his resignation in December. It will be the first election to council held in the townships since 1997. At the meet and greet session, held at the township hall in Stonecliffe, moderator David Balla-Boudreau tossed the coin and Grills was the first to address the gathering. Grills recalled “many happy childhood memories of the area visiting relatives,” commenting on the “cousins that introduced me to Saturday nights in Swisha.” She and her husband Bob, now retired from Hydro, decided to retire to the area and purchased a home in 2004. After 35 years as a teacher, Grills and her husband became permanent residents of HCM one year ago. Grills stated she “believes in community involvement and wants to make a positive contribution.” She “wants to be part of the solution rather than the problem.” Grills has attended many council meetings over the past year and in many cases “wanted to know why council acted the way they did.” She said “as a ratepayer I can’t ask questions but as a councillor I can.” “Councillors can’t work in isolation; they have to work together as a team showing leadership and thoughtful decision making,” she said. If elected, Grills would “closely monitor spending while maintaining services.” Grills highlighted the “efficient town office staff, conscientious road and maintenance workers along with the excellent library in a debt free township” as something to be proud of and stated they are “a team I’d like to be part of.” Antler introduced himself as a “long-time resident of Deux Rivieres,” 28 years to be exact since he and his wife Sandra purchased Wilson’s Bayside Lodge and opened Antler’s Kingfisher Lodge. He said he has “long roots in the area, four great grandfathers ago on his mother’s side, the Broome family homestead was on the site of Driftwood Park.” Antler remarked he was “invited to be on council many years ago, but felt he was too busy with the business at that time.” Since selling the Lodge to his son Jarrett two and a half years ago, he was asked to run again and now feels he has the time. He stated “it is time to step away from the business now that Jarrett is stepping in. I don’t like to sit idle and want to be more involved with the community.” Antler remarked that “residents of Bissett Creek and Deux Rivieres are sometimes kind of outside what’s happening down here” and he hopes to rectify that situation if he is elected to council. Ratepayer Sylvia Baird was the first to ask a question of the candidates, wondering if they would do anything about improving communication. She stated, “I work during the day and can’t attend daytime council meetings.” Grills replied that “council has to recognize that the needs of the township change and must listen to the community.” Antler feels the same way. He remembered that “meetings used to be at night and I objected when they moved to the afternoon.” “At evening meetings everyone has a chance to ask questions and take part,” he stated. Antler went on to say “that meetings are one thing but residents need updates more often, preferably once a month,” referring to the townships’ newsletter. Complaints Several resident questions centred on the events of the past several months concerning the harassment and code of conduct complaints. Gayle Watters asked about the candidates’ “feelings about the current mood throughout the townships.” Grills said “there is a negative feeling in this community.” She said “people say it’s not always been like this here.” Grills is new here but she feels she “can bring a new perspective and positive attitude to council.” Antler said, “I live on the other side of Bissett Creek hill and for a long time didn’t know about the bad stuff going on at council.” Antler reported people commented to him, “you’ve got to be kidding up there.” Antler said he “would like to get back to township business” and not have council time consumed with personal affairs. In the same vein, Don Brazeau asked how the candidates would handle the situation of “people who aren’t on council going to harass residents,” referring to an incident involving township clerk Melinda Reith confronting Wayne Clouthier at his home. Antler responded with “let’s move on, we have things to work on in this township.” He stated he is “not going to stir the pot.” Grills conceded that “this stuff is on people’s minds.” She reported that she had “attended some contentious council meetings” and felt “some council meetings had been disrespectful.” She remarked “we are having a respectful discourse today” and it is time to “bring respect back to council.” Current Councillor Jim Gibson asked the candidates questions based on rumours he had heard circulating in the township. He first asked Grills “if elected, would she become a clone of Ed Aiston and Jim Gibson?” and then asked Antler “to convince us he is not self-serving” in running for council. Antler responded saying “everything relates to our lives in the township.” He remarked that recently “personal lives have been very involved in council.” Antler noted he has “volunteered extensively in the community in areas that represent more than my business” and that he “is here for the townships, not simply Antler’s.” Grills stated she “was grateful to Jim for asking this question, because she knows it is out there.” She remarked that Gibson is a retired power worker and his wife is a retired teacher mirroring her own and her husband’s careers. She noted that they live on the same street and share some of the same friends. Grills went on to say that just because “you are friends with someone doesn’t mean you necessarily agree on every issue.” “I am not going to be a clone of Mr Gibson or Ed Aiston in either looks or thinking. I will represent all ratepayers in the community not just people who live on my road,” she stated. Garbage The remaining questions from ratepayers concerned the operation of the township, focused primarily on small business concerns and garbage. Brent Allen from Pine Valley Resort questioned the candidates about support for small business and the feeling among some residents that small businesses are “not paying their fair share.” Antler quickly replied that “I am a small business myself and know from that business what the problems are.” He noted that “small businesses are now a minority in the townships - not many businesses left.” Antler reassured Allen that he “would act for small business on council and make council understand the needs of the small business.” Grills said “council needs to know what you want; council hears what you don’t want.” She stated a “more positive approach to solving challenges and reduce negativity is needed.” Allen also asked if the candidates had a “plan to solve the garbage issue.” Russell Pettigrew, Earl Francoeur and Don Brazeau also questioned Antler and Grills concerning the garbage situation. Grills noted that HCM has a new waste management bylaw in place that will be phased in over the next few months. She stated that she worked on the committee along with Ed Aiston and Todd Dowser that provided input for the bylaw. She considers the bylaw “a work in progress” and wants to see how it works out. Antler conceded “there are rules councils have to follow” but beyond that “we have to listen to what you want, council can’t tell people what to do.” In discussing dissatisfaction with the hours of operation of the dump, Grills noted that cost cutting is the reason for reduced operating hours, but stated that “council needs to consider the needs of the ratepayer.” Antler quipped that “it often seems our lives revolve around the dump and that we are looking after garbage ahead of people.” He is hoping the townships are just starting to get into this issue and can “look at different hours of operation or something that we can all live with.” Francoeur suggested council consider seasonal hours of operation with increased hours in the summer months when the population swells and volume is higher. Antler agreed this is something council should be looking at. Grills thanked Francoeur for his observations and encouraged him to pass his suggestions onto the current council. She encouraged all residents “instead of grumbling about things, be proactive and tell council what you need and want.” In closing, Balla-Boudreau thanked the candidates for putting their names forward to serve the townships and he also thanked the ratepayers for their interest and participation. He characterized Antler and Grills as “two strong candidates which is a very positive thing for the townships.” Both candidates encouraged everyone to get out and vote. An advance poll was held on February 4, and voting day is set for Monday, February 13. |
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