Sarnia all-candidates debate a revealing evening
Striking up the band (shell) for Petrolia’s big birthday bash
April 22, 2023
Petrolia is giving itself a big birthday present for a milestone year.
Town council has approved the construction of a new bandshell for Victoria Park in honour of the town’s 150th anniversary in 2024.
Laurissa Ellsworth, director of marketing, arts and communications, recently told council the Petrolia 150 committee looked for four things in a $200,000 legacy project; something available for everyone to use, accessible, something that would be a low or no cost facility not limited to just one age group and it must be prominently displayed in the community.
The new bandshell fit the bill, she says.
The stage will also house permanent accessible washrooms and a sound system for events like Christmas in the Park and Pizzafest.
Ellsworth says the bandshell is expected to cost about $250,000 with $200,000 coming from the town and the rest raised through commemorative clothing and coin sales.
Ellsworth says the current bandshell will be in use until the fall and the town hopes to have construction complete in early 2024.
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Sarnia all-candidates debate a revealing evening
October 21, 2026
Cathy Dobson/The Independent With less than a week until election day, 28 candidates vying for eight council seats, spent four hours Tuesday trying to stand out as the right choice for Sarnia voters. They gathered at The Imperial Theatre in front of an audience of 200, with another 500 streaming the marathon event online. Compared to Monday night’s mayoral debate,
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St. Clair will be reimbursed for help at Chatham ethanol plant fire
October 21, 2026
Heather Wright/The Independent St. Clair Township Councillor Brad Langstaff wants to know what it cost for the fire department to help fight an ethanol plant fire in Chatham. Sept. 16, 15 firefighters, the township’s two tower trucks and its drone headed to Chatham to help battle a massive fire at Greenfield Global. St. Clair was called on because it has
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Enniskillen rejects request for ATVs on township roads
October 21, 2026
Blake Ellis/The Independent ATVs won’t be allowed on Enniskillen roads. A request by Enniskillen Resident Mark Braet failed to sway Enniskillen Township Council to allow all terrain vehicles on township roads. Braet made a presentation to council on Oct. 8 along with representatives from the Tri-Shore ATV Club. Braet wanted to be allowed to drive ATVs on roads in the
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LAMBTON VOTES: Petrolia Candidate Surveys
October 21, 2026
The Independent sent a questionnaire to each candidate for Petrolia Council. Below are the unedited responses from the candidates: Work Experience: Policy Advisor, Sarnia-Lambton Chamber of Commerce; former Constituency Assistant to MPPs Bob Bailey and Billy Pang; former parliamentary intern with MPs Marilyn Gladu and Jake Stewart; former Town of Petrolia Parks & Recreation Summer Labourer; former Dietary Aide at
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