Two candidates vying for Usborne Ward position

By John Miner

For the first time in three elections there is a contest for the Usborne ward seat on South Huron municipal council.

Ted Oke was acclaimed to the position in the 2018 and 2022 elections. This time Oke is running for mayor against the current mayor, George Finch, and a previous mayor, Maureen Cole, leaving the Usborne spot open.

The two candidates nominated for Ward 3 Usborne are Darren Boyle and Paul Passmore. Usborne has a single seat on South Huron council.

As part of its municipal election coverage, the Exeter Examiner asked each candidate:

(1) Why did you decide to run for council? Is there a specific problem or moment that made you decide to put your name forward?

(2) If elected, what is the top priority you hope to focus on during your time on council?

(3) What experience do you bring to the table that you think will help you address the municipality’s challenges?

Here is the e-mailed response from the candidates.

Darren Boyle

(1) (2) If elected, my top priority will be to make sure there is a voice at council who will do everything to make sure that development and land use going forward is done in a way to minimize impact on our area farmland and that doesn’t burden us with extra debt as I look at the plans for recreation other candidates are sharing, by making fiscal decisions that make sense for all taxpayers ahead of “wants” or “nice to have” concepts.

(3) The experience I bring comes from my job selling fire apparatus and equipment to municipalities. I know the ins and outs of procurement, and budgets. I also have a vast array of volunteer experience, such as being a past co-chair of the South Huron Community Committee of the United Way Perth-Huron, and I still am active in sports as well as a director of the South Huron Arts Centre and a member of the Community Theatre.

Couple my experience in being engaged in the community over the years and my work experience and I think it would make me an excellent choice to be the Councillor for Ward 3.

Paul Passmore

(1) I had no intention of running for council this year. I was getting married on Sept. 12 and going on a two-week honeymoon. I have no problem with how our municipality is being run. Our taxes were staying at an acceptable rate of increase and the municipality had addressed the concerns that I had when I attempted to run before. It was brought to my attention that the candidate running for Ward 3 is not a resident of Usborne, which is very concerning to me, so I decided to run. I believe to best represent Usborne the candidate should reside here where they will have a better understanding of the concerns and issues that arise in this predominantly agricultural community. Trust me, Usborne is different than Exeter. It’s a slippery slope to start down this path when someone living from outside your ward can represent you. Soon you won’t have your own ward and Usborne will lose its voice and identity.

(2) We need to keep our rural identity and all the history and wonderful aspects of this vibrant agricultural community. Keeping rural entities alive and prosperous is necessary for this important agricultural area and also for all the small businesses that help complement this dynamic ag industry. We have Kirkton Woodham Community Centre, the Kirkton Fair, and different committees like the Thames Road and Elimville Community Park that need to be protected and supported or else Usborne will become just a thought from the past.

(3) As for what experience I bring to the table, I don’t have a long pedigree of accomplishments to offer, but I have bled Usborne’s purple and gold for over 73 years. I ran a successful farming business for over 48 years and I know what is needed to survive, prosper and understand what is needed to get things done for Usborne. We need to support fiscal local accountability, family farms and ag businesses. Also, we need to continue to have a fair and equitable property tax system.

The Exeter Examiner’s final feature on South Huron candidates running in Ward 1 (Stephen) will be published in the Oct. 22 issue.