Image

Field says Petrolia’s biggest issue is who will be on council

September 13, 2018

Joel Field says the biggest issue in this election is making the right choice for mayor and council.
The 51 year-old two term councillor is seeking a third term in the Oct. 22 election.
Field is one of three incumbent councillors on the ballot meaning at least half of the council will be new. And there will be a new mayor after John McCharles announced his retirement earlier this year.
Do you have any political and community experience?
Field has been a Petrolia Councillor for eight years. He also works with the Parks and Recreation Committee. He’s also volunteered as a civilian with the Army Cadets.
Why are you running for council?
“I just want to continue seeing Petrolia grow. Being involved in community services..I love this town I love the community. I know that sounds like what everybody says but I do. And I want to see it move forward to be a vibrant growing community.”
What is the biggest issue in the election in Petrolia?
“I believe the biggest issue is making the right choice for mayor and council. We could potentially have one of the biggest changes to the council in a number of years and I feel that Petrolia is a good, strong place with strategic asset management and infrastructure and our finances now. With the new leadership in the provincial government talking of change, we need to be strong. We need to be able to work together to step up for these challenges. I really need to push forward. Don’t get me wrong, we shouldn’t ignore the issues of our past, we need to learn from them and become stronger.”
So what did you learn from the last four years, where this council faced a lot of people who were angry particularly in the last year?
People want to know stuff, not everything can be released. They put us in a spot to make those calls. I believe the last year has been very challenging. I believe we’ve learned from it and we’re moving forward. If you are elected, would you vote to have the Fleming report on the actions of the former CAO released?
“As a current member of council, it’s inappropriate for me to comment on something that is before the courts.”
Do you think Petrolia Council should revisit the decision to close the compost depot?
“It is a large amount of money to make that compost viable again.”
“I’m open to looking at anything but the recommendations that came forward were to proceed in a different direction and council I believe unanimously voted that way.  I would love to have it open…but I think we need to make sure that those costings are in effect. Some people say a $20 payment is too much, if it is increased costs I don’t want to see people doing that. It is a service that is very valuable to the community.”
Do you favour moving town hall out of Victoria Hall as suggested to council by a consultant?
“It was an option that was mentioned…for me I want to see what the options costs and what the mandatory requirements are under the Ontarians with Disabilities Act come forward before I really would make a decision. But I will say that I’ve always liked town hall and VPP together.”
What issues would you like to see addressed if you’re elected?
“The one key thing would be the health hub planning along with the CEEH plan to be rolled out. I feel strongly that the partnership with the town, Bluewater Health and the (Central Lambton) Family Health Team and even the YMCA is core to a healthy community.
“With that I believe the housing for seniors and family homes will prosper and will lead to overall growth in the town and downtown.”

Share This

Image
Front Page

Fraud pilot project in Lambton saves $160,000 in six months

May 16, 2025

Heather Wright/The Independent A unique program in Lambton is saving seniors from telephone scammers and catching the eye ofbanks in Canada. Lambton OPP Inspec. Chris Avery told Petrolia councillors Monday an anti-fraud program has stopped scammers from pocketing about $160,000 from Lambton residents in the last six months. Frauds are big business in Canada. Over $638 million was stolen in

Read More

Image
Front Page

Five LCCVI athletes win at Day Two of LK Track and Field meet

May 16, 2025

Five LCCVI athletes were at the top of the podium at the Lambton-Kent Track Meet . Meagan Munro, Kole Chapman, Jamison Helps, Jayden Davis-Lumley and James Grant all placed first in their events Wednesday at Great Lakes Secondary School. Munro won the 300M Junior Women’s Hurdles in 44 seconds. She had already won in the 80M Hurdles and second in

Read More

Image
Front Page

One person seriously injured in accident near Rutherford

May 15, 2025

One person was taken to hospital by air ambulance after an accident near Rutherford. Lambton OPP were called to Lambton Line near Pantry School Road just before 4 pm Thursday for a collision between a large fertilizer truck and a farm tractor towing a wagon with a water tank. Ornge air ambulance was called to the scene to take one

Read More

Image
Front Page

Temporary EMS station set up in Sarnia

May 15, 2025

The Independent Sarnia’s new ambulances have a new home. Lambton County has leased a commercial space near Modeland Road and Confederation Line to house a temporary EMS Station. Lambton County approved upgrading ambulance service in the city at budget after Stephen Turner, manager of emergency services for the county, said 62 per cent of calls are in Sarnia but only

Read More