Bringing their message to residents, county council Ward 4 candidates Jim Heinbuch squared off against incumbent Lynda White here.
The ward encompasses portions of Wellington North and Centre Wellington townships.
Lynda White
“For almost 30 years, Arthur has been my home.”
White described herself as an experienced, dedicated member of the Wellington North community.
She has served as Ward 4 representative for the past 10 years, and for six years before that on Arthur village council.
“I was instrumental this year in starting the Arthur COP committee, and I now chair that committee,” she said of the community oriented policing committee.
In 2004, White was elected warden of Wellington County, a position he said required leadership, dedication, trust, and integrity.
She asked those in the audience if they realize the county has an operating budget of $161-million and that responsibilities for roads and bridges, libraries, policing, social services, and waste management are but a few services provided.
As chairman of the Wellington County Police Services Board, White said she was personally involved in the planning of the new police facility being constructed in Centre Wellington.
“Policing in our county is the second most expensive serve we administer.”
The most expensive, she said, is maintaining roads and bridges throughout the county.
“We’ve completed many great projects in Wellington North through different partnerships.”
She added that the county is committed to maintaining a good relationship with the agricultural community.
Jim Heinbuch
Heinbuch’s home is on the Conn Road and he is semi-retired “so you will have my undivided attention.”
He agreed he has no county council experience, “but I understand how councils should work.”
He asked residents “not to confuse experience with accomplishments.”
Heinbuch said his concern is not so much what has happened in the past, but what the future will bring.
“I am prepared to learn as quickly as I can, and represent the people of County Ward 4. When all is said and done, it is for our tax dollars to be spent by someone who cares.”
He said 45% of every dollar is paid directly to Wellington County.
“You have to have someone who not only respects you, but respects your hard earned dollars.”
He said in his travels, he has found many people who have no idea how to contact their county councillors.
“Present county councillors are very experienced at spending your dollars,” but he asked if they’ve been doing so wisely and if they’ve been accountable.
Questions and answers
Following presentation of their platforms, candidates were offered the chance to respond to identical questions from the floor.
Do you have any plans to keep residents better informed about how dollars are being spent by the county?
Heinbuch would like to see better communication, “but to be honest with you, I haven’t thought it through. I think it would be a fantastic idea.”
White said there are lots of ways people can find the information about what goes on in the county.
She said the county has a great website, plus there is the County Page every week in The Wellington Advertiser, “that tells you a lot of things that are going on in the county. The staff at the county are also very approachable. You ask them a question, and they will definitely get you your information.”
How do you envision the county being more involved with Wellington North on a more positive platform?
White said “The people of Wellington North have been very fortunate over the past few years with the county.”
She alluded to partnerships in a number of different projects including the libraries in Arthur and Mount Forest, the multi-use facility, roads and bridges.
“We’re constantly talking back and forth between the upper and lower tier municipalities.”
She said if the municipality has an issue they want dealt with that they want the county involved in, “We do get involved.”
After thinking about it for a few moments, Heinbuch’s response was “I can’t answer that.”
