Ryan challenging Haddock for Mono mayoralty

Elaine Capes As voters across the province prepare to be hit by hot air fronts in 2010, an election year, few candidates have, so far, officially announced their intentions to run for municipal office.

The Town of Mono has been an exception, however, as four members of its current fivemember council – Mayor Lorie Haddock, Deputy Mayor Ken AlterNRG McGhee, and Councillors Laura Ryan and Jean Castel – have all said they will run. Appointed to council to fill out the term of former Deputy Mayor Dave Baldwin, Councillor Bob Shirley is the only one to say he will not be in the race.

As well, there’s a fresh face in the race with Elaine Capes announcing her intention to run for a seat on council.

There is already a race for mayor, with both Mayor Haddock and Ms. Ryan announcing their intentions to seek the position. Both appear to be running on their own merits, not because they see any glaring shortcomings in their opponents.

Mayor Haddock says Ms. Ryan’s declaration hasn’t had any adverse effect on the current working relationship between the two. “I hasn’t, so far, and I hope it doesn’t,” she said in an interview. “I’m not afraid of some healthy competition (in the October election). I welcome it.”

Ms. Ryan’s opinion is that, after two full terms on council and involvement in a number of committee, “my skill levels are honed. I want to be part of decision making at a higher level.”

Having come to understand the many facets of municipal government, Ms. Ryan says her chief concerns are environmental issues, such as water source and forestry protection.

Mayor Haddock indicates it will be a challenge to deal with the provisions in the province’s Places to Grow policies. Otherwise, she feels the ongoing concerns of Mono should be “business as usual.

“I’ve enjoyed what I’ve done, so far, and a lot of people have asked me if I’m going to run again.”

Deputy Mayor McGhee, meanwhile, has not come forth with a preference for either candidate, stating that “both are unique in their own ways.”

As for the task of municipal governance, his opinions coincide with Mayor Haddock’s, insofar as he believes many issues precede, and extend beyond, the term of any one council.

“There are always immediate things that have to be done,” he says, “but most of what is before council is ongoing.”

One of his concerns is the Dufferin Eco Energy Park (DEEP), a proposed project aimed at waste treatment, alternative energy production and agricultural experimentation.

“I may take years and years to get it going,” says Mr. McGhee, “but we have to just ensure we are taking the steps.”

Like Mayor Haddock, Mr. McGhee foresees Mono facing a major challenge as it seeks to maintain the municipality’s rural nature while, at the same time, deals with the pressure of a growing population.

“It is important to keep in mind the kind of town we will be passing on to our grand kids.”

At the last Mono council meeting, Councillor Castel expressed his concern that many potential council candidates are shying away from running because of the current council schedule, which has two meetings a month. One is in the morning and one is in the evening.

Mono CAO Keith McNenly assured Mr. Castel that the new council would be responsible for setting its own meeting schedule.

As for Ms. Capes’ decision to run: “This is such a beautiful place to live,” she says, “and by being on Council I can work with my colleagues to protect Mono’s scenic and environmental resources while promoting responsible economic development.”

Founder of the Women’s Horse Owners Association

WHOA) and Equi-Fest, an annual event at the Orangeville Fairgrounds, Ms. Capes’ professional background is in the finance industry, having worked for more than 30 years in personal and corporate banking and in management consulting.

She is also involved in local education as Co-Chair of the parent council at Primrose Elementary School and has served on the Upper Grand District School Board’s Parent Involvement Committee and she is part of the Headwaters Stable Tour organizing committee.

Ms. Capes, her husband and two daughters live on farm property on the Mono- Adjala Townline.