Front row: Councillor Ted Oke, Mayor George Finch, GM of Community and Emergency Services Jeremy Becker. Backrow: Solicitor General Michael Kerzner (right) and staff | Photo provided
Your local government was hard at work at the Rural Ontario Municipal Association (ROMA) conference this week advocating for local change.
Mayor of South Huron George Finch highlighted three key areas of focus: the imperative for a family health team at South Huron Hospital, the closure of the Exeter police detachment, and concerns regarding firefighter certifications.
Mayor Finch accompanied by Cathy Burghardt-Jesson, Mayor of Lucan-Biddulph, and Doug Cook, Mayor of Lambton Shores engaged in crucial discussions with Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Health Robin Martin. The aim was to address concerns about funding for a family health team clinic in Exeter, which provides regional support beyond South Huron.
Mayor Finch said that the collaborative effort of neighbouring Mayors will be instrumental in continuing to move that discussion forward.
Representatives from the Municipality of South Huron also met with The Honourable Michael Kerzner, Solicitor General, regarding firefighter certifications. Mayor Finch stressed the challenge of attracting new volunteers given the average age of 50 in the municipality. Proposals included an increased tax credit for volunteer firefighters, regional training facilities, and tax credits for employers supporting firefighter volunteers. Mayor Finch said that he will continue to advocate for increased funding for volunteers across the province.
Left to right: Councillor Ted Oke, General Manager of Community and Emergency Services Jeremy Becker, Minister of Agriculture Lisa Thompson, Mayor George Finch. | Photo provided
Discussions also touched upon the closure of the police detachment in Exeter. Mayor Finch expressed dissatisfaction with the lack of public consultation and pledged to engage with MPP Lisa Thompson as well as the Solicitor General to address this issue, recognizing the impact on regional response times.
Mayor Finch looks forward to potential future commitments and funding opportunities for infrastructure development. He emphasized the municipality’s proactive stance in applying for any available funds to support local infrastructure projects.
Written by: B. Shakyaver