Blake Ellis/The Independent

Economic development, data centres and infrastructure renewal were on the minds of St. Clair Township voters.

During an All-Candidates forum in Corunna Sept. 29, the candidates were asked what can be done to attract more businesses to Corunna and St. Clair Township. Ward 1 Candidate Tracy Kingston said the municipality needs more promotion. Currently the township doesn’t have an economic development program, said Kingston adding a plan is needed.

“First and foremost, we need to help the businesses that are already here,” said Kingston, saying they’ll encourage others to build in the commercial area.

Ward 1 Candidate Alex Machan, says council will have to look at what residents want for new businesses, as well as what exists in other neighbouring municipalities in Lambton County.

In a question about whether there are any artificial intelligence or data centres planned for the local area, the Acclaimed Deputy Mayor Steve Arnold said the Sarnia-Lambton Economic Partnership has undertaken an initiative to investigate whether Sarnia-Lambton should move forward
with any type of data centre.

Arnold proposes the new council meet with the SLEP after the election to see what type of resources St. Clair Township might need to make it work.

Incumbent Mayoral Candidate Jeff Agar indicated Lambton County Council passed a motion that if any data centres are established in the county, the business would provide its own hydro and there would be a closed loop system for its water, as to not impact residents of the municipality.

In a question about bridges, Ward 1 Candidate Pat Brown said in the last report council received, there were 70 bridges identified as needing attention.

“Hang on because there are a lot of bridges to be fixed,” said Brown. Agar said during the past four year term, the township repaired two bridges, that
came in at a cost of at least $7 million.

He admitted there are a lot of bridges that need work, repairs have to be balance with other priorities.

Agar was also asked whether a community centre will ever be built in Courtright, something which Agar believes is possible, but industry has to be involved to provide funding and local community groups need to fund raise. Council did designate $70,000 a year to the St. Clair Golf Club to act as a community centre for the community.

Agar also asked if he would use strong mayor powers again if he was re-elected. He said the only time he used it in the past term was to pass the budget. “I did nothing wrong with them,” said Agar. “I am always proud of my integrity, the way I do everything.”

Agar’s opponent for the mayor’s chair, Bruce Gibson was on vacation and did not attend the debate. Arnold has been acclaimed as deputy mayor while Holly Foster, Brown, Kingston, Cathy Langis and Alex Machan are running for three council seats in Ward 1.

Brad Langstaff and Bill Myers have been acclaimed as councillors in Ward 2.

The Moore Optimist Club organized the all-candidates meeting.