Kincardine council

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Kincardine's deputy mayor is seeking the top spot on council in the Oct. 25 municipal election.

Thursday morning (May 27), Laura Haight filed papers that she is running for mayor of the municipality.

She chose the date because it was her mother's birthday. 

"My mom was a very special woman," says Haight. "She was, in so many ways, an inspiration to me and even though I haven't been able to enjoy our long Sunday afternoon chats since she passed away more than two years ago, I continue to hear her voice providing that guidance and scolding that only a mother can provide on a daily basis. It is, therefore, my small tribute to her that I announce my candidacy for mayor of Kincardine on what would have been her 83rd birthday."

Haight says her father called her at 8 a.m. on Thursday and said he was proud of her decision and her mother would have been happy too.

For the past year-and-a-half, Haight has been considering a run for the mayor's job.

"Kincardine is special and I'd like to keep it special," she says. "In the next few years, the municipality will be facing significant challenges as we try to navigate our way through a maze of provincial regulations that will see our funding decline, and increased pressure to provide services to our citizens in a cost-effective manner so as not to burden our ratepayers."

In the next term of council, she says there will be five major issues:

• The South Bruce Grey Health Centre will be embarking on an ambitious capital program to revitalize the Kincardine hospital site. "Kincardine needs to be ready to step up to the plate so that this essential service is enhanced, not eroded," says Haight.

• Local farmers will continue to struggle to put food on the plates of consumers while trying to put money aside for their own families. "Kincardine needs to be ready to lobby for fair treatment of our agricultural sector so that our farmers can live, not just subsist," Haight says.

• Big things will start to happen at the Bruce Nuclear site. "Kincardine must be prepared to support this new wave of workers who will arrive in our community, by ensuring a variety of housing stock for them and a variety of businesses to serve them," says Haight.

• Bluewater District School Board will be looking at replacement of Kincardine District Secondary School. "Kincardine needs to be ready to support this initiative and perhaps even partner with our friends at the school board, to develop a plan that serves more than just the needs of the teens but the needs of the greater community," Haight says.

• The first of the baby-boomers, born in 1946, will turn 65. "Kincardine must be ready to serve their needs, while at the same time be cognizant of the fixed incomes that sustain their households," says Haight.

"Kincardine needs practical leadership," she says. "Leadership that engages all of council and all of the community in order to find practical solutions to the challenges that face us. Through accountability, education and engagement, we can make our local government work for us."

A firm believer in process, she says it's important for the head of council to establish a tone and dialogue, not just with council but with the community.

"An increased focus on public engagement and transparency of process will be key components of my campaign for mayor," says Haight. "Throughout the next five months, I look forward to laying out a series of initiatives that I believe will improve the municipal operations of Kincardine and sustain us for the years to come."

Kincardine deputy mayor Laura Haight holds the papers, indicating she is running for mayor of Kincardine in the October municipal election

"I look forward to the campaign ahead and encourage the citizens of the Municipality of Kincardine to share with me their ideas for the future."

Born and raised in St. Thomas, Haight graduated from Queen's University in Kingston and worked as a district municipal roads clerk at the provincial transportation ministry (MTO) in Owen Sound before moving to Kincardine in 1992.

She was hired that year as deputy clerk in Kincardine, working with clerk-administrator Ron Shaw, before becoming clerk of Huron-Kinloss Township in 1995.

Ten years later, she was forced to quit that job due to back problems, but treasures the experience because she learned a lot about how a rural municipality operates.

Haight has served one term (four years) as deputy mayor on Kincardine council.

She and her husband, Ken Corbett, have two sons.

Besides, Haight, the unofficial list of candidates includes councillor Kenneth Craig who is running for re-election; Michael Lemme of Owen Sound running for trustee on the Bruce Grey Catholic District School Board; and Guy Belcourt of Penetang running for trustee on the French Language Public School Board.

Incumbent Kincardine mayor, Larry Kraemer, has yet to announce whether he is seeking re-election.

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Thursday, May 27, 2010