Wednesday, November 8, 2006 · Page 3 Four-way race for Ward 3 councillor BY DANIEL SCHWAB The four-way race for Ward 3 councillor is pitting incumbent Percy Dufour against newcomer Daniel Inverarity, former Colchester South councillor Ron Rogers and former Colchester South mayor Paul Innes. Two will be elected to represent the ward. A stronger representation for Ward 3 residents, keeping taxes to a minimum and creating a viable tourism industry in Colchester South are a few of the issues the candidates are concerned about. The Essex Free Press spoke with the candidates, including Ward 4 councillor Peter Timmins who has been acclaimed. Their responses appear in this week's edition. Responses from candidates in Wards 1 and 2 appeared in last week's newspaper. VOTE! For All Your Financial & Insurance Needs... See Us Today! NOV. 13 WARD 3 (Two to be elected) served as a councillor for Colchester South. Dufour said the next council's priority would be to keep taxes down. "We know people are losing their homes and jobs," he said. "That's a reality." Dufour said he is satisfied that the current council has managed to keep taxes low. He also said the municipality's wineries need to be promoted, and suggests council meet with the Chamber of Commerce in Harrow to discuss what can be done to improve the town. been working with a developer from Kore International Management, who acquired about $2 million worth of property in Colchester. "Colchester is a main corridor for tourists to get to wineries," he said. "Right now, they're driving through Colchester without a place to stop and spend their money." Inverarity also said council should look at rezoning property on the south side of County Road 50. "The way it's zoned now, it won't permit any development," he said. Inverarity said there are He spent three terms on the former Colchester South council and is advocating strong representation for Ward 3. "We're still not congealed on amalgamation," he said. "It continues to be an issue." Rogers said he doesn't believe there have been any savings as a result of amalgamation. He said it's important for the next council to provide timely services to taxpayers. He also advocates commeris not ignored. He said a new arena in Essex is a significant want not a necessity. "What's being proposed is out of line," Innes said of plans for a twin-pad facility. "Especially with the Ice Track in Tecumseh going up." Innes said recreation facilities across the municipality have widely been ignored in the past three Asked about the northsouth issue, Dufour said if as much positive energy was put into the two communities as there is negativity, the area would be the envy of other municipalities. "Unfortunately, I hear a lot more complaints from the (Ward 3) end," Dufour said. "But amalgamation has been a very good marriage. Essex people are proud to say they have wineries and a waterfront now." Dufour said the next council should also focus on continuing to beautify the municipality. some 10 to 15-acre lots zoned agricultural that have the potential to generate tax revenue by developing prime waterfront properties. Regarding a new arena in Essex, Inverarity says everything has changed now that there are plans for Tecumseh's Ice Track. If a new facility in Essex does go through, Inverarity says he doesn't think anyone in Ward 3 should pay for it in taxes. He is also concerned about cleaning up the discharge in septic tanks leaking into Lake Erie. He sugcial, residential and industrial growth within the community to increase the tax base. "It will be growth in a controlled fashion that will meet the needs of existing residents and create jobs for young people," he said. In rural Ward 3, there's not much for young people to do without driving into an urban centre, Rogers said. He considers a good business sense to be one of his strengths. He has a history in production and sales in the years. He is also concerned about the safety of certain roads in the south end. "Some roads are dangerous," he said. "When it rains, there are ruts that fill up and cause cars to hydroplane. We've got to take care of our roads." Innes would also like to see the municipality's two urban centres of Essex and Harrow be revitalized. "It's money well spent when we put up flowers and clean the streets," he said. He is also in favour of building a new arena. He compares it to the improvements made to the Harrow Community Room, and says they have helped to bring the community together. "The arena is going to make a big difference," he said. During his time in council, Dufour has served on several committees, including the finance committee and the Essex-Windsor Solid Waste Authority. gests extensive repairs or putting in new sewers to run between the Arner Townline and Erie Street in the south end of the municipality. With Ontario's Clean Water Act introduced last month, Inverarity hopes to secure provincial funding for the project. "There are too many days in the summer when the lake is closed due to bacteria," he said. Letting people know Lake Erie is a safe place to swim is important for the redevelopment of Colchester, he added. auto industry. He's also been involved in labour negotiations. In the next term, Rogers would like to see council create a better cohesiveness within the community. "We've got to start working as a unit," he said. "It's a sentiment of my residents in Ward 3 that it is a forgotten area." Rogers, who's lived in Colchester since 1978, said the area is a unique part of the county. "I've watched Ward 1 begin to degrade," he said. "We've got to be more supportive of entrepreneurs." In Ward 3, residents haven't been properly represented, Innes said. It's a concern he's hearing while campaigning door to door. He said there is a need for more attention and development in the ward. SEE WARD 4, PAGE 7 You've just finished dinner and your waitress has come back with your declined credit card... You go to the bank machine to get some cash, and all your money is gone... The nightmare has just begun. SERIOUS? YOU BET IT IS!! We have companies that will insure you against this. Call us at DPM Insurance today. We've got you covered. DPM INSURANCE GROUP Phone: (519) 776-6457 TRAVEL WITH CONFIDENCE WWW,FORSYTHTRAVEL.COM 29 Talbot Street North, Essex, Ontario PERCY DUFOUR Percy Dufour, the 57-yearold incumbent and deputy mayor, is also a part-time cash crop farmer. He is retired from Gen-Auto Shippers and formerly Established in 1948 · OT 0046911 76 TALBOT ST. N. Nov. 11 - Frankenmuth, shopping, chicken dinner $72.00 Dec. 2 - Santa Express, Sparta, Port Stanley, dinner shopping & train ride $87.00 Dec. 11 - "Christmas Calamity" Wallaceburg, dinner theatre, $84.00 Feb 14 & 15 - Valentines, Brantford & Niagara Falls, Music Show, Meals & Winery $239.00 Feb 13-27 - 37th Annual Hawaii Tour, 2 islands from Detroit $2999.00 usd Feb. 19 - Mar. 10 Arizona, Las Vegas, New Mexico, Grand Canyon & more by motorcoach, book by Nov 20th for discount $2799.00 Mar. 19 - 28 - Myrtle Beach ocean front rooms breakfasts $1229.00 CAD Jul 4-14 - Alaska Cruise and tour with Holland America...from $4325.00 CAD Jul 4-11 - Alaska Inside Passage Cruise Holland America from $2575.00 CAD Brochures available for all tours listed, prices based on twin occupancy, in Cdn. dollar, include all taxes Windsor & County pickups. TRAVEL Ltd. ESSEX 776-6439 DANIEL INVERARITY Daniel Inverarity, 46, is a realtor with Deerbrook specializing in waterfront properties. He has lived in Ward 3 for 10 years. Inverarity has recently St. Paul's Anglican Church FRIDAY, NOV. 10TH Adults: $8.00 Children: $3.00 92 St. Paul St., Essex RON ROGERS Ron Rogers, 52, is a production manager for Sigma Engineering in Oldcastle. PAUL INNES [PHOTO UNAVAILABLE] Accountability Dedication Fresh Ideas Experience Paul Innes, 57, is a manager at K-Scrap Resources in Windsor and a former councillor and mayor of Colchester South. Innes says the next council has to control its spending and establish service delivery for money spent. If elected, Innes said he would make sure the south 32 Years Business Man in Essex 5 Years Town Council 9 Years Essex P.U.C. 17 Years Essex Kinsmen Club (Past President) 19 Years Essex 73's Hockey Club Executive (Past President & Lifetime Honorary Member Executive) Legion Branch 201 Member 5:00 - 6:30 P.M. ON NOVEMBER 13 Nick SPIDALIERI WARD 1 COUNCILLOR ELECT TH VOTE FOR A · · · · COMMON SENSE APPROACH TO RESOLVING THE ISSUE PROMOTE NEW BUSINESS For a ride to the polls PROMOTE INDUSTRIAL GROWTH call 519-776-5235 REVIEW ALL SURCHARGES FOR INFORMATION OR QUESTIONS CALL 519-776-8529 OR 519-776-5235