Oct 15, 2014


cf shepard sharonCouncillor

Sharon Shepherd – where has all the gravel gone?

Sharon Shepherd is originally from Gananoque, but she has lived in the area for over 30 years. She came to the area because her husband is a local.

“I was not sure about living in such a rural area back then, I can admit that now; but I like it a lot now."

She has worked at a number of local businesses, including LD Powersports, the Verona Animal Hospital and Revell Motors.

“About 12 years ago, Bill Snyder said to me 'you should go on council' and with the way things have been going since amalgamation, I am interested in what is going on and also what is not going on,” she said.

While she said that she does see “progress in the way the township has gone for grants and improving some of the major roads like Wagarville Road, I think there has been a real neglect when it comes to the gravel roads. There is a lack of maintenance, a lack of grading, and a lack of gravel.”

She thinks part of the problem is the lack of continuity at public works.

“We need a Public Works Manager who stays long enough to get a feel for what's needed, where it is needed, and the personnel to delegate the work to,” she said.

As far as the Parham fire hall is concerned she thinks it unnecessary to consider purchasing land and moving it to a new location.

“We have fallen on hard times, with all the downloading, and I believe you don't spend what you don't have. Besides, when I talked to the firefighters they said it should go where it is,” she said. “What I wonder is why it wasn't built two years ago.”

She is sympathetic to the efforts the outgoing council has made to foster economic development in the township.

“I agree with the efforts to bring new business in. I think all we have to do is take care of the important things, run an efficient township, and if it is an attractive place these things are going to come,” she said.

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