The race for Division 4 is underway in the County of Barrhead.
Candidates Bill Lane and Ron Barton participated in the forum at the Seniors Drop In Centre Oct. 5, answering questions from residents regarding their plans for the next four years, concerns with respect to county roads, economic development and safety.
Coun. Walter Preugschas, who replaces Bill Lee as councillor for Division 6, also participated.
“My biggest concern is the state of roads in the county and it is a concern mirrored by many of my fellow residents,” Barton told the crowd, noting his main purpose in running for council is to provide fresh ideas to ongoing conversations.
Lane agreed, noting that road maintenance is an ongoing issue in the county but not limited to any one division.
“We all know the wet season has made it really difficult to stay on top of the problem,” he said.
For his part, Preugschas said there are 2,400 kilometres of road within the county that need upgrades.
“In addition to that issue, agricultural services, economic development and the safety of our residents are all equally important,” he said.
On a question from county resident Ken Gould regarding the public’s perception of the division between the town and the county and how that working relationship could be repaired, both Lane and Barton agreed that communication is important.
“That’s the biggest thing. That way nobody is blindsided by anything and everybody can have a say in topics of importance,” Barton said.
Preugschas agreed.
“Part of that communication is listening to each other and I think it is crucial to hear what the other side has to say. I’ve been talking to county and town councillors and I really feel positive that there is a way to move past this and to build a better relationship,” he said.
For his part, Lane stressed that both the town and county are different identities.
“We [the county] are a farming community. We negotiate with the town and sometimes it doesn’t work. We both need each other however and while we don’t always agree, most of the time we find our way to beneficial agreements.”
Further to that, one resident wondered whether it would be prudent to have more regular conversations with town council regarding recreation, despite the fact that the matter is currently being arbitrated by Municipal Affairs.
“Unfortunately, I can’t really speak to this issue because it is in the arbitrators hands at the moment. That being said, we [town and county] have sat down for many meetings over the past couple of years and we have agreed on a lot of things but again, there are some things we don’t. However, that being said, a decision will be made shortly,” Lane said.
On a question regarding what candidates considered the biggest reason the town and county do not get along, Lane reiterated that decisions come down to individual councils and not everyone agrees on everything.
“That being said, I think we do get along fairly well. There is one issue that has, unfortunately, caused a lot of turmoil within our community but you know, we are making progress.”
For his part, Preugschas highlighted the newly signed fire services agreement as an example of both municipalities working together.
“I haven’t been involved with those discussions but I understand the agreement is very positive for both the town and the county and I’m very happy to hear that personally,” he said.
