Remembering the service of Robert James Atkins
Small communities ‘can’t afford’ OPP
December 29, 2024
Blake Ellis/The Independent
Oil Springs Mayor Ian Veen is wondering if it is time for the province to take care of policing for municipalities.
Most municipalities in Lambton County are facing increasing policing expenses in 2024 of about 15 per cent. Oil Springs is no exception.
This led Oil Springs Mayor Ian Veen to talk to Sarnia-Lambton MPP Bob Bailey about the skyrocketing costs. The province is setting aside $77 million to be split among Ontario municipalities. Oil Springs is expecting as much as a $17,000 increase to its policing costs.
Policing costs for Oil Springs was just over $109,000 in 2024, said Veen. Oil Springs Clerk Martha Gawley said the village has not received word yet on how much Oil Springs will receive of the $77 million.
Veen said Bailey will be looking into his concerns. Oil Springs is not the only small community which is dealing with these increased costs, said Veen, so he is waiting to see what will happen.
“Maybe it is time for Ontario to take control of policing,” said Veen at the Dec. 3 Oil Springs council meeting, a sentiment he conveyed to Bailey.
“Small communities just can’t afford it.”
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Remembering the service of Robert James Atkins
November 11, 2026
The Independent For each of the 87 names on Petrolia’s cenotaph, there is the story of a young man who went to serve his country and never returned. Robert James Atkins was one of those men. There is little known about Atkins other than he was born Feb. 28, 1917 in Petrolia, the son of George and Roxie May (Tithecott)
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Front Page
Honouring Indigenous veterans and their families in Kettle and Stony Point
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Front Page
Remember those who served, died in Hong Kong
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North Lambton’s Jr. Boys, LCCVI’s Sr. Boys advance to LKSSAA volleyball finals
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John Wright/The Independent North Lambton will have a shot at school history after getting a five-set comeback victory over LCCVI in their LKSSAA Junior Boys ‘AA’ volleyball semi-final Monday in Petrolia. The Lancers took the first two sets of the match, 25-17 and 25-23 before the Eagles stormed back winning the final three sets, 26-24, 25-21, and 15-12. The Eagles
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