Volume 1 Number 11

View the September 26, 2007 edition on issuu.com

Volume 1, Number 11 – September 26, 2007

Inside: Parkhill fall fair (OCNA third place award for Photo Layout)

  • Why MMP sounds good to me
    View from the StripBy Casey Lessard For the most part, I am not well-represented at Queen’s Park. I’m an environmentalist and a vegan (and admittedly a bit of a hippie), and I am not aware of any sitting politicians who represent my views in the legislature. To be honest, vegans are a pretty small minority in ...
  • Apple wine a natural fit
    Twin Pines Orchards and Cider House(519) 296-5556 or (519) 296-5558 Story and photos by Casey Lessard There’s a wonderful surprise fermenting on a dirt road northwest of Thedford, and it won’t be long before the wines being made at Twin Pines Orchards and Cider House are well-known in this area. The only winery (to our knowledge) in ...
  • Legends of the fall
    Advice from momBy Rita Lessard Fall – what a great time of the year. Not too hot, not too cold. Standard time is approaching and thus we’ll fall back an hour. The word fall is used in so many ways, for example, fall in love, fall out, fall from grace, fall back, etc. This column will ...
  • The Warning – a poem by Theresa van Koeverden
    (Theresa van Koeverden wrote the poem The Warning after the drowning death of Jule Marie Kovar of Fort Gratiot, Michigan in August. The 14-year old slipped under the surface as she swam in rough waters at the Grand Bend beach near the pier.)The WarningBy Theresa van Koeverden Soft warm sandShifting shards of rockUnder toesLying, drifting, twirlingPressing ...
  • Meet the candidates: Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – James Armstrong
    James Armstrong, GreenHometown: Bothwell (45 years)Occupation: 17 years at Sarnia Suncor refinery – currently Operations Program coordinator (management’s representative on the back shifts). Twenty-five years farming.Political experience: Three years on the Lambton Kent District School Board Oct 2003. Ran as independent in the LKM riding with one school board platform. That, along with the rest ...
  • Meet the candidates: Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – Brad Harness
    Brad Harness, Reform of OntarioHometown: Strathroy & Ailsa CraigOccupation: PublisherPolitical experience: Ran in past municipal elections, sought Conservative nomination in riding in 2003.Community involvement: Active volunteering with minor soccer, hockey & baseball; co-founded Ailsa Craig & District Historical Society.What is the best way to stimulate the economy in your riding?By increasing the population through immigration ...
  • Meet the candidates: Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – Joyce Jolliffe
    Joyce Jolliffe, NDPHometown: Raised in rural Thamesville. Residing in Strathroy for 25 years.Occupation: Retired from manufacturing sector.Political experience: Ran in 2000 federal election to get my feet wet. Ran in 2003 provincial election. I also served as president of USWA Local 3313 for 14 years. I have been an advocate for Health and Safety, and ...
  • Meet the candidates: Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – Bill McMaster
    Bill McMaster, Family CoalitionHometown: BothwellOccupation: Self Employed MechanicPolitical experience: LimitedCommunity involvement: Fire department, minor hockey in the pastWhat is the best way to stimulate the economy in your riding?Cut taxes. What is the biggest environmental issue facing your riding and what can be done to solve it?Dumps. What is your solution for Ontario’s energy needs?We need wind ...
  • Meet the candidates: Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – Monte McNaughton
    Monte McNaughton, PCHometown: NewburyOccupation: small businessmanPolitical Experience: Elected to Newbury municipal council in 1997 at age 20, serving three council terms.Community Involvement: Has served on the board of directors at Four Counties Health Services and as chair of the Newbury Economic Development Committee. Board of directors for Beattie Haven Retirement Home, the Strathroy and District Chamber ...
  • Meet the candidates: Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – Maria Van Bommel
    Maria Van Bommel, LiberalHometown: Our farm is located just north of Strathroy.Occupation: Currently the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex and poultry farmer with my husband Rene; mother of 5 and grandmother of 12.Political experience: Two-term municipal councillor in former East Williams Township and MPP from 2003 to present; former Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Municipal Affairs ...
  • Meet the candidates: Huron-Bruce – Dave Joslin
    Dave Joslin, Christian HeritageHometown: RR 2 Brussels-Grey Ward, Huron EastOccupation: Pressure WelderPolitical experience: ran 5 times federally (Christian Heritage Party), this is the 2nd time for the Family Coalition PartyCommunity involvement: active church member, member of Grey Ward Deamalgamation CommitteeWhat is the best way to stimulate the economy in your riding? The best way to ...
  • Meet the candidates: Huron-Bruce – Paul Klopp
    Paul Klopp, NDPHometown: municipality of Bluewater. Ward of Hay.Occupation: farmerPolitical experience: Provincial: M.P.P. Huron and Parliamentary Assistant Ontario Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Rural Affairs 1990-1995. Municipal: two-term deputy mayor, Municipality of Bluewater and Huron County councillor. Huron County Federation of Agriculture: past-president, and past regional director; presently director-at-large and chair of finance committee.Community ...
  • Meet the candidates: Huron-Bruce – Carol Mitchell
    Carol Mitchell, LiberalHometown: Clinton (born in Goderich twp)Occupation: MPP, business ownerPolitical experience: MPP for Huron-Bruce (2003-present); parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Agriculture and Food; parliamentary assistant to the Minister of Public Infrastructure Renewal; Health & Social Services Policy Cabinet Committee, Standing Committee on Finance and Economic Affairs, Conservation Action Team, Premier’s Research and Development ...
  • Meet the candidates: Huron-Bruce – Rob Morley
    Rob Morley, PCHometown: Whalen CornersOccupation: Cash crop farmer, former trucking company owner. Shop supervisor at Lavis contracting in ClintonPolitical experience: 18 years municipal: nine as councillor (Usborne Twp.), three as reeve (Usborne), six as mayor (South Huron). The last year I was mayor (2006), I was also the warden of Huron County.Community involvement: Cemetery board, ...
  • Meet the candidates: Huron-Bruce – Victoria Serda
    Victoria Serda, GreenHometown: Port Elgin, raised: Owen SoundOccupation: Homeschooler, municipal councillor; was an organic farmer, private school teacher, personal care attendant for the disabled Political experience: Lobbying of municipal government on pesticide by-law 2001-5; past federal Green Party candidate, 2006; policy coordinator for the Green Party of Ontario 2006; deputy leader of the Green Party ...
  • Meet the candidates: Huron-Bruce – Dennis Valenta
    Dennis Valenta, IndependentHometown: ClintonOccupation: Truck driver for 27 yearsPolitical experience: Past member of Reform, Alliance, Conservative parties. Worked with Alliance riding association. Worked extensively in Perth-Middlesex by-election 3-4 years ago. This experience opened my eyes for the need to run as an independent.Community involvement: Raised money for Juvenile Diabetes for several years. Did visitation at ...
  • To MMP or not to MMP – that is the question
    By Casey Lessard How will the legislature look in a few years? It’s a question voters have to take seriously at this election call as they face a referendum on the future of the electoral process.A move to elect members of provincial parliament (MPPs) using mixed member proportional representation, or MMP, could see more MPPs in ...
  • A community market event to benefit all
    By Casey Lessard Julie Nelson has an idea she hopes will help women like her, local businesses, and area school children all at once. Nelson is organizing a community market day fundraiser at the Grand Bend Public School Thursday, September 27 starting at 6 p.m.“I was used to working with schools so I decided to help ...
  • Getting comfortable at high school and planning for the future
    Principal’s PageBy Jeff Reaburn, SHDHS principal Although it is still quite early in the school year, it is already time for senior students to start thinking about post-secondary life, especially if they are planning to attend university or college. The annual University Information Program takes place Monday, October 1, from 7 to 9 p.m. at Goderich ...
  • Geese faithful mates until the end
    Living in BalanceBy Jenipher Appleton The luminous yellow plumage of the American Goldfinch has begun to wane to a dusky gold. Rose-breasted grosbeaks have long since taken off to their southern climes, and no longer are we pestered by the voracious, greedy grackles at the feeders. These developments are sure signs that autumn is upon us.During ...
  • Fall golf is here!
    Golf TipsBy Cameron Rankin Fall is the best time of the year to play: the courses are quieter, the weather is cooler, course conditions are improving after an especially dry hot summer, and the green fees are usually less, so get your last few games in before the weather breaks.Fall is a good time to take ...