Lambton County Plowing match draws more competitors than usual as 2027 IPM in Petrolia nears
Realtor says mayor in conflict for selling town employees homes
January 29, 2018
Petrolia realtor Bob Leaper says Mayor John McCharles is in violating the town’s Code of Conduct when selling the homes of town employees.
After the resignation of CAO Manny Baron, Leaper and two other local developers came to council saying developers McCharles works for receive preferential treatment.
Monday, Leaper told council he feels the mayor is in contravention of the town’s Code of Conduct which says members of council should “act with integrity and avoid the improper use of the influence of their office” and should not accept fees or benefits connected “directly or indirectly” with their official duties because he sold homes to at least two of the town’s CAOs.
Leaper added a Code of Conduct investigation should be launched into the practice.
The Independent asked McCharles to comment on Leapers assertions and he declined saying doing so would put him in a conflict of interest.
Front Page
Lambton County Plowing match draws more competitors than usual as 2027 IPM in Petrolia nears
September 14, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent Enniskillen Mayor Kevin Marriott may not have a municipal election contest this year, but he did face some of his political colleagues at the Lambton County Plowing Match. And Marriott, who is also Lambton’s Warden, handily handled the competition. Marriott won the annual plowing contest between politicians over St. Clair Township Mayor Jeff Agar, Plympton-Wyoming Mayor, Gary
Read More
Front Page
Oil Springs okays asset retirement study
September 14, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent It turns out the cost to complete asset retirement obligation estimates on its five municipally-owned buildings is much less than the Oil Springs council expected. The study will determine the cost of abatement of designated substances, such as asbestos, lead, silica and mercury, during decommissioning and demolition at the end of each building’s life. This will better
Read More
Front Page
NPHL shrinks as Stratford and Halton Hills bow out this season
September 14, 2026
Barry Wright/The Independent The Alvinston Killer Bees will not be taking trips to Stratford or Halton Hills during the upcoming Northern Premier Hockey League season. Following the completion of a league review, the NPHL says the operations of the Irish and Coyotes franchises have been suspended for the coming season and despite the Irish posting that they fully intend on
Read More
Front Page
Lambton to study truck traffic on Oil Heritage in 2027 preparing for York 1 transports to Dresden
September 11, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent It will be 2027 before Lambton County takes a close look at truck traffic patterns on Oil Heritage Line. Plympton-Wyoming council is asking for an origin-destination study of Oil Heritage Road – which includes Wyoming’s main street – as concerns mount about increased traffic due to the rehabilitation and expansion of a dump near Dresden. The town
Read More