Netty McEwen is one of three incumbent councillors seeking another term on Plympton-Wyoming council.
The former clerk for the municipality is joined in the race by incumbents Ron Schenk and Bob Woolvett and six others for the four council positions. Two other incumbents, Ben Dekker and Muriel Wright, are seeking the deputy mayor’s position in the Oct. 22 election.
McEwen, 72, has been on council for seven years and is seeking a third term as councillor in Plympton-Wyoming.
Why did you decide to run again?
Because I have the time available and I’m very interested in the future of Plympton-Wyoming and I just wish to continue to serve.
What issues do you think are important in Plympton-Wyoming?
“The development and to direct it in a good planning way,” says McEwen. Over the past four years, council has grappled with the issue, making more of the land along the lake available for new development and facing legal proceedings in the process “It is frustrating to me because I believe in preserving agricultural land and especially when we do have lots of residential lots available for development.
Is there something you would like to accomplish in the next four years?
Just to keep the town on an nice even track and try and keep and maintain a good level of services at no extra cost.
Would you like to see the tree planting program continue?
We do have a tree planting program but we do need to follow it a little more closely.

Petrolia Council veteran Ross O’Hara wants to rebuild trust with the community and take a second look at whether the town should run its own compost site.
O’Hara, 68, was on council for nine years and then became mayor for nine years. After taking a break from service, O’Hara returned as councillor in 2014. He’s running for another term on Oct. 22.
“I think we need a new person as mayor. About a year ago, I thought  about running for mayor. But then I thought, ‘no we need someone with new ideas. A new leader of the pack’”
What can you contribute to council with your experience?
I think I can contribute in stability when it comes to budget. We’ve done a lot of things in Petrolia in the last four years and I appreciate all that we’ve done but we also have to keep an eye on our debt. I’m always conscious that we have to make sure we don’t put the town too far in debt…Basically, I’m very approachable; I’ve always tapped in with the people…I want to see council very open and very approachable.
“We’ve had some problems over the last few years and we’re coming out of that and I want to see that get even better where people have a trust in their municipal government.”
What’s the biggest issue this election?
I think still we know we had some difficulties in the last four years with trust from the public and that was pretty obvious; I think that’s still going to be a major issue…I think we’re coming out of that really well right now.”
What would you like to see accomplished in the next four years if you are elected?
One of the things I definitely – I’m not going to say I would support it – but I would like to look at reopening the compost site. I think I’ve had more people approach me about that than probably anything else. They feel it was a huge cut in service and I’d like to explore the possibilities of that.”
If you’re elected, would you vote to have the Fleming report on the actions of the former CAO released?
That’s a tough one…if there is anyway it can be opened up I’m all for it. If it cannot be because of legalities, than it can’t be.”
Do you favour moving town hall out of Victoria Hall as suggested to council by a consultant?
We certainly didn’t hear any numbers as far as financial but, boy oh boy, it looked like an awful lot money for the town to spend to be able to go that route. I realize the theatre could use some more room – maybe we could possibly put an addition on and keep our municipal offices there and maybe, if they need another stage, maybe we can have another stage in another place,” he says.

Nicee Graham thinks she can contribute to her adopted hometown.
The 48 year-old mother of five is running for a councillors’ seat in Petrolia. While she’s never been elected to public office, she has worked in municipal politics in her native Brazil. She’s hoping that experience will translate in Petrolia.
Do you have any political experience?
“I worked in Brazil in a political office,” she says. “I was working with the mayor in my town in Brazil. I worked for five years there.”
She says municipal government in Brazil is “pretty much the same” as in Ontario.
And she says she enjoyed being part of the mayor’s staff.
“I found it interesting that you can make things happen; you’re working for the good of the people and you do have the responsibilty of representing the taxpayers’ money…you have purpose to work in a way people will be happy.”
What made you decide you want to run for council?
To be a voice of people of people who cannot be there. I have the time and the energy and the creativity to do things.”
What is the biggest issue in the election in Petrolia?
“I don’t think there is one big issue or a big purpose. I look at it as an opportunity to be there and, again, represent people…I’m not concerned about those issues, they will always be there, whether I’m there or not.
What do you bring to council that other people may not?
I will have time on my hands right now while kids are at school and independent – I’ll have time…I’m not afraid to be there. People say, ‘I can’t do it because I’m not available to be there or I’m not educated enough or I don’t have time, but I think I bring that, too.”
If you are elected, would you vote to have the Fleming report on the actions of the former CAO released?
I think people need to know, I think I would vote to release it.
Do you favour moving town hall out of Victoria Hall as suggested to council by a consultant?
I would have to look at that issue.

Curtis Bryce likes to give back to his community
The 57 year-old electrician has been active in his community including in youth sports and the Wyoming Legion, but for the first time, he wants to try his hand at local politics. Bryce is one of nine people seeking a councillor’s seat in Plympton-Wyoming.
What made you decide you want to run for council?
“I have no real issue, I have no axe to grind. It’s just that I have no excuse not to run. I’m an empty nester recently and the next four years look to be four years that I can commit to the town. I’ve been interested in politics for some time. I’ve participated in several different parties provincially and federally and done lots of committee work…and for church executive.”
What do you want to accomplish at council?
“A successful four years for me would be no surprises for the people of Plympton-Wyoming. I want to de-risk the environment for business to participate in Plympton-Wyoming. And when I say de-risk, I’m talking about new rules or changing the rules all the time -which is always frustrating…not to say there are not going to be improvements, but its measured. It’s predictable so you don’t catch people off guard. So a steady pace in the community and just an opportunity for me to serve the community which has been a great place to raise my kids. I don’t think that to date, I have given back enough to feel good about it. So, this will be a good opportunity for me to give back.”
What is the biggest issue in the election?
“One of the things that is going to carry forward is the reallocation of land use – that was probably one of the most contentious issues…I’m sure we’re going to have to deal with that. But I’m slow to criticize because I don’t have access to all the information councillors have.
“If I could change anything it would mean less in camera time. I understand there has to be some in camera time when you’re dealing with personnel issues, but I just want to make sure it is not being abused. I don’t know that it has been…but I’m really not particularly upset about anything the past council has done.”