Election 2010

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The second all-candidates electoral meeting was held Saturday, October 9, at Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.

The meeting hosted by the Southampton Residents Association focused on areas that were seen to specifically impact the ward of Southampton, with each candidate asked to put forward three top priorities that they would stand for.

All candidates said that they would focus on a number of priorities including a master plan for the waterfront and beaches, an attempt to lower taxes and overall improvements for the downtown cores of Port Elgin and Southampton.

Victoria Serda, challenging for the position of Mayor, laid out her three priorities ... open communication and discussion, enhancing the quality of life and focusing on planning issues.  With regard to open communication, Serda said that she intended to hold public meetings on a regular basis and get local groups involved in consultative process on issues.  "The local quality of life cannot be sacrificed at the expense of rapid development and growth but can can be maintained through prudent planning."

Newcomer, Sonny Cushnie, pointed out that while many politicians appear to be 'self-serving', he has no prior agenda other than to support issues that people are concerned about including, |run-away taxes" and the waterfront environment.

Most candidates agreed to support the many issues raised by residents ranging from traffic safety to maintaining the local hospital  'status quo' and revitalization of the downtown cores to supporting the  need for a local swimming pool.

The meeting, moderated by Southampton Residents Association's Ken Robertson, primarily dealt with issues of concern to Southampton but also called into discussion concerns for the entire area with its three wards.

One of the final questions asked of each candidate was whether or not he/she was, in fact, in favour of the ward system or an at-large system for voting.

Taun Frosst - At large

Cindy Cartwright - Ward System

Gary Brown - At large

Mayor Mike Smith - At large

Victoria Serda - the community has to decide

Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger - At large

Luke Charbonneau - continuing the present system

Diane Huber - Ward System

Sunny Cushnie - Ward System

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Monday, October 11, 2010