Image

Plympton-Wyoming not collecting cash for 402 rescues

March 16, 2021

Heather Wright/The Independent

One Plympton-Wyoming councillor is wondering where the money has gone.

Councillor Mike Vasey – who three years ago was the fire chief in Wyoming – questioned why the revenue from the Ministry of Transportation for fire response on the 402 is non-existent.

The ministry paid Wyoming Fire around $20,000 a year for responding to accidents on the provincial highway. But in the last three years, that money has dried up.

Vasey wondered what happened.

CAO Carolyn Tripp, a member of the fire executive board, says the MTO has recently changed its billing system.

“The whole system changed and everyone’s having problems with it, but Warwick has figured it out recently, so we’re going to be working with them, we’ve already had one meeting with them. And that’s going to be worked out over this year. But there’s no guarantees. The MTO won’t share any information and the OPP won’t either,” she says.
“It’s been a long battle to get these things done.”

“I just don’t know how this could go on for three years and no one pick up on it,” Vasey says.

He suggested at one time the municipality threatened to stop servicing the 402 and perhaps that should be on the table again if the MTO isn’t willing to cooperate.
He says if things don’t improve quickly, the town should contact the local MPP, Bob Bailey, and the ministry and OPP to straighten out the problem.

Tripp is hopeful once a solution is found, the revenue from the past three years can be recouped.

Share This

Image
Front Page

Lancers baseball team aims for regional title

October 1, 2026

Ryan Aarts/The Independent After a strong season last year, the LCCVI Lancers baseball team is looking to build on its success and make another run at a LKSSAA championship. The Lancers had just one loss last season, finishing 7-1 with that loss coming at an unfortunate time to Ursuline College in the LKSSAA final. Despite falling short, the experience has

Read More

Image
Front Page

Henderson to be new leader of Lambton IPM

September 30, 2026

The Independent The Lambton County International Plowing Match has a new leader. Dave Henderson will lead the group bringing the massive farm show to Lambton County in 2027. The 2027 IPM was originally planned at the Brigden Fairgrounds. Planning was well underway when the local committee quit saying it would not host the event because a deal was not in

Read More

Image
Front Page

Petrolia can’t afford bigger arena alone: candidates

September 30, 2026

Heather Wright/The Independent If there is a new arena to be build in Petrolia, it only happen with help from the town’s neighbours. That’s the opinion of the people who are vying for councillor positions around the town council table Oct. 26 about arequest for a double ice pad which came to council more than two years ago. Lisa Vanderwal

Read More

Image
Front Page

Flyers get home opener cut short because of poor ice

September 30, 2026

Barry Wright/The Independent It’ll be take two for the Petrolia Flyers on home ice Thursday when the North Middlesex Stars visit Greenwood for aPJHL contest beginning at 7:30 pm. Petrolia’s home opener Sept. 24 was cancelled at the end of the second period due to what the team called unsafe ice conditions. The Flyers were leading Exeter, 3-1 at the

Read More