Regional News re Caledonia debate: McHale would use courts to help county

Caledonia Debate, Oct 13/10: Regional News Reporter Bill Jackson takes notes.

McHale would use courts to help county
by Bill Jackson – The Regional
October 20, 2010   [PDF]

Ward three candidate Gary McHale believes that county council should use the justice system to give developers assurance and make up for millions of dollars in lost property taxes.

Before fielding a question at a candidates meeting last week pertaining to the future development of another vehicular bridge crossing over the Grand River, McHale referred to the elephant in the room.

“We can’t avoid talking about the fact that we have an economic problem because of Douglas Creek Estates,” he said. “We have an economic problem because of how the OPP and McGuinty handled the situation.”

Mattamy Homes proposed to build thousands of houses and a $20 million dollar bridge at McClung Road, but pulled out due to native protests, he charged.

My position on Council’s foolish anti-pet by-law

The anti-pet by-law passed by Haldimand's existing councillors makes it illegal to buy a goldfish or a budgie, but acceptable to have a pot-bellied pig or bison. Let's repeal this foolish by-law and work on the REAL problems in the County! Vote for Gary McHale.

While the county is facing serious economic problems Council felt the need to pass a new anti-pet by-law in August 2010. Suddenly 70% of all pets sold in pet stores across this province are now illegal in Haldimand. If your child wants a goldfish, a canary or budgie then you can no longer purchase these pets if you live in Haldimand County. However, you can get your child a pot-bellied pig or a bison. Pet supply retailers and the Killman Zoo have contacted the candidates to see which are willing to repeal this law.

The Cayuga Chamber of Commerce asked all Ward 2 candidates to answer the following question, “As one of several Pet Stores in Haldimand, we would like to know your views concerning the amendment to the by-law on Purchasing and Keeping Exotic Animals. Careful reading of this amendment reveals that it is no longer legal to purchase many ‘exotic’ animals including all reptiles, snakes, budgies, and the Guinea pig?”

Simcoe Reformer: Candidates ‘team up’ on Caledonia & wind turbine issues

Working together is nothing new for 'Open for Business Candidates' - 'Smokeshacks' news conference at Queens Park Media Studio, Dec 04/07: (L-R) Doug Fleming, Merlyn Kinrade, Brian Hagan, Gary McHale.

Candidates team up on Caledonia issue

by Monte Sonnenberg
Oct 18/10

Three candidates in Haldimand have teamed up to bring block voting to the county.

Merlyn Kinrade of Caledonia, Gary McHale of Caledonia, and Doug Fleming of York are running for councillor positions in wards 2 (Cayuga), 3 (Caledonia) and 4 (Hagersville) respectively.

The three are campaigning on a common platform and are advertising themselves as a package deal. If elected, the trio will control half the councillor votes around the council table.

Gary at Caledonia debate re Six Nations toll road threat: “I’ll have the charges laid within 24 hours.”

MPP Toby Barrett and federal Liberal candidate Bob Speller both came out to listen to the Caledonia Chamber of Commerce municipal election debate last Wednesday (Oct 13th.). 

Voters in Ward 3 were given a very clear choice by the time the event was over. Gary stood in stark contrast to his opponents, including incumbent Craig Grice, with his vision, determination, research and the can-do attitude he has displayed working tireless on behalf of the town for over four years without pay.

• 2010 Caledonia Debate Video & Pics

One of the best examples that showed the great divide separating the two camps occurred when candidates were asked what they would do if Six Nations protesters followed through on their threat to set up a toll road on Argyle Street.

Mayoral debate attendees like ‘Open for Business’ candidates’ info

The Mayoral All-Candidates Night, sponsored by Haldimand Federation of Agriculture was held last night at the Haldimand Agricultural Community Centre in Cayuga. 

Although the debate itself was for mayoral candidates, all Haldimand candidates were permitted to have a display table, and Merlyn Kinrade, Gary McHale and Doug Fleming took full advantage to share their well-researched materials and expertise on important topics such as the land claim crisis and concern over wind turbines.

They received a very positive reception from many attendees who crowded their table,and who especially appreciated their research into the wind turbines issue. One commented that Doug, Gary and Merlyn had more answers than those already on Haldimand Council.

McHale, Kinrade & Fleming receive Wind Concerns Ontario endorsement

We are pleased to announce that Doug Fleming, Merlyn Kinrade and Gary McHale have all received endorsements from the leading wind turbine moratorium advocacy group Wind Concerns Ontario:

Wind Concerns Ontario endorses the following candidates:

• Haldimand, Ward 2 – Merlyn Kinrade
• Haldimand, Ward 3 – Gary McHale
• Haldimand, Ward 4 – Doug Fleming

Wind Turbines ad/flyer: ‘Be Green AND Be Smart’

The three ‘Haldimand is Open for Business’ Candidates ran a highly informative 3/4 page ad in the Sachem on Wednesday, Oct 6th which provides voters with some of the results of their research into Wind Turbines.

Voters seem to appreciate the effort put in to understand this important issue on their behalf as evidenced by the very positive interest in the candidate’s information at last nights mayoral all-candidates night in Kohler by the Haldimand Federation of Agriculture.

‘Open for Business’ candidates meet wind turbine producer

The 3 ‘Haldimand is Open for Business’ candidates – Gary McHale, Doug Fleming and Merlyn Kinrade – recently met with one of the three wind turbine producers who have been given contracts to install wind farms in Haldimand County.

The meeting was very cordial and the company was straightforward in its answers. Afterwards all three candidates felt better informed, but remained convinced that Haldimand should join other communities in calling for a moratorium on turbine installations.

Gary listens to residents concerned about wind & solar farms

New – Wind Turbine Flyer: ‘Be Green AND be Smart’ 

Last night Gary and the other ‘Haldimand is OPEN for BUSINESS’ candidates Doug Fleming  (Ward 4) and Merlyn Kinrade (Ward 2) met with residents concerned about wind and solar farms planned for Haldimand County.

We’re off and running!

Campaigns for the three ‘HALDIMAND is OPEN for BUSINESS’ candidates opened with a bang today with their first co-op ad – a full page in today’s Regional News.

Gary and the other candidates need your help to make Haldimand the kind of place you want to leave your children to grow up in.

Let’s make Haldimand OPEN for BUSINESS again!

Welcome to my 2010 municipal election website. As you can see, it is under construction. Subscribe to my email service at the top of the right sidebar to be automatically kept up to date of new developments in the campaign.

Gary