62-year-old facing assault charge after Brigden confrontation
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.
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62-year-old facing assault charge after Brigden confrontation
October 27, 2026
The Independent A 62-year-old St Clair Township man is facing a charge of assault with a weapon after a confrontation in Brigden. Lambton OPP were called to Brigden Road near Jane Street in the community Friday around 1:30 pm. Police found there had been a fight and one person was assaulted with a weapon. Police say the injuries were minor,
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One dead, another person arrested on Walpole Island
October 27, 2026
The Independent One person is dead and another is in police custody on Walpole Island. Lambton OPP were called to River Road around 1:30 am Monday for a disturbance. They found one person who was injured and pronounced dead at the scene. Officers arrested one person at the scene without incident. “Investigators believe this to be an isolated incident with
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Agar returns as mayor of St. Clair Township
October 27, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent Jeff Agar will return as St Clair Township Mayor. He defeated newcomer Bruce Gibson with a margin of 3,625 to 1,114 votes. “It’s mind-boggling,” Agar said of the wait to find out if he won. “Even if you think you’re gonna win, it’s still is because you never know.” Agar says it was a very long campaign,
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Entire Plympton-Wyoming council returns to office
October 27, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent The entire council in Plympton-Wyoming has been returned to office. Mayor elect Gary Atkinson defeated Tim Wilkins 2,061 to 1,633 in the polls Monday. Deputy mayor elect Netty McEwen got more than double the votes of challenger Brad Zantingh. Alex Boughen topped the polls for councillors with 2,446 votes; John Van Klaveren had 2,164 votes; Mike Vasey collected
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