Sarnia all-candidates debate a revealing evening
Cousins next Petrolia/North Enniskillen fire chief
December 21, 2023
Less than three weeks after Petrolia/North Enniskillen Fire Chief Jay Arns announced his retirement, his replacement has been named.
Deputy Chief Rick Cousins will move into the role at the end of the year.
Cousins has been a firefighter for more than 35 years, and spent 28 years with the Ontario Provincial Police Auxiliary Unit where he was Unit Commander/Staff Seargent for 18 years.
He started as a firefighter in Brigden, then moved to the Petrolia and North Enniskillen department in 1990. He was appointed Captain in 2020, and then Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention in 2022.
“I have always loved the caring and generous nature of this department and I am proud to take on a leadership position to ensure that the team remains strong, well-trained, and ready to assist as needed,” Cousins said in a news release Friday.
Cousins appointment was announced at the fire meeting Thursday night.
Front Page
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,
Read More
Front Page
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
Read More
Front Page
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
Read More
Front Page
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
Read More