Two candidates running for deputy mayor of Huron-Kinloss
By: Liz Dadson
September 13, 2022
Perry Elliott and Jim Hanna are competing for the job of deputy mayor of Huron-Kinloss Township, in this fall’s municipal election.
PERRY ELLIOTT
Perry Elliott (right) is a farmer and crane owner/operator, and has lived in Huron-Kinloss Township all his life.
He and his wife, Donna, have five children and 13 grandchildren (with No. 14 expected to arrive soon!).
Elliott is running in the municipal election because he feels that he can represent the people of this municipality on issues that need to be addressed, and have a say on where the township’s tax dollars should be spent.
“I’m running for deputy mayor, as I feel it is unfair for someone to be acclaimed,” he says. “The people should have a choice, and, hopefully, will put their trust in me.”
Elliott’s father served on council and was reeve of this municipality for many years.
“I would like to follow in his footsteps, working for the people,” he says. “Wise spending of our tax dollars is a main concern that I will be interested in addressing, if I am elected.”
JIM HANNA
Jim Hanna (right), 65, has lived in this community most of his life.
He and his wife, Brenda, live at 1572 Bruce County Road 1, just south of Highway 9, and have one daughter.
“I grew up on our family farm on Statter's Lake Road, in the former Kinloss Township,” says Hanna. “I went to school at Western University, became a professional engineer, and have practised for more than 40 years in the steel production and energy sectors. I have served as councillor on Huron-Kinloss council since its inception in 1999.”
He is running again in order to continue to support the community by ensuring the township continues to provide the services everyone relies on, in a financially-sustainable manner.
“I have always maintained that ‘council members should conduct themselves in a manner to set up the next council for success, because any other behaviour is simply pushing the burden to a future council",” he says.
“When I started on council in the new Huron-Kinloss, the newest grader we had from the four former municipalities, was 18 years old, and the newest truck we had, was 16 years old. Suffice to say, it has been a struggle to reach our current condition, where our equipment stock is modern and well-maintained.”
Hanna says he decided to run for deputy mayor because there was a void left in that position, as current deputy mayor, Don Murray, is running for mayor to fill the job left by retiring mayor, Mitch Twolan.
“I have the knowledge and experience to perform the job,” says Hanna. “Senior positions on council demand experience, and I bring that to the table.”
Hanna has served as councillor on Huron-Kinloss council for 22 years. He has chaired committees, including recreation, medical board, and fire board, and he has been a member of multiple committees throughout his tenure on council.
As for the major issues in the township, Hanna says one big challenge is waste management capacity.
“We need to continue to petition the provincial government for changes to the current legislation to divert combustible and degradable material from the landfill,” he says.
Another challenge, is aging infrastructure, particularly bridges. “We need to continue to pursue aggressive maintenance strategies to restore existing bridges to maximize service life, as the cost of replacement is high.”
Affordable housing is also an issue, says Hanna.
“Despite housing stock being available, it is not being used,” he says. “Every small town and village in our community have store fronts, and virtually every one of them has an apartment above the store that would have housed the original owners. Almost all of these apartments are not being utilized due to Landlord Tenant Act restrictions that make it almost impossible for landlords to manage their properties.
“We have petitioned, and will continue to petition, the provincial government for changes to the Landlord Tenant Act, which will allow landlords the ability to invest in this housing stock, and make it available to the public.”
Hanna points out that Huron-Kinloss council was originally framed as an "at-large" council, with no wards, for which everyone should be grateful.
“An ‘at-large’ council results in decisions being made based on the benefit to the entire township, rather than favouring one ward or another,” he says. “We have seen neighbouring townships divided over issues that often originate as a perceived benefit to a particular ward.
“Huron-Kinloss council has worked co-operatively and has demonstrated the ‘one-for-all’ approach which results in decisions that benefit the entire township.
"We need serious, experienced and co-operative candidates to form Huron-Kinloss council, and I ask for your support.”
The Township of Huron-Kinloss council consists of a mayor, deputy mayor and five councillors.
The township is using an Internet/telephone voting system for the 2022 election. Electors will receive a notice in the mail providing instructions and a secure PIN number to use to vote either by Internet or telephone.
Electors can vote anytime from Oct. 17 at 8:30 a.m. to Oct. 24 at 8 p.m., using Internet or telephone voting, or by visiting the municipal office.
Voter Help Centre - located at the municipal office in council chambers, at 21 Queen St., Ripley:
- Monday, Oct. 17 to Friday, Oct. 21 - 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Saturday, Oct. 22 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Oct. 23 - 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Monday, Oct. 24 - 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
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