Vernon (Micky) Hermer

Oct 02, 2014

Councillor

Vernon (Micky) Hermer – a political comeback

Micky Hermer is originally from Ardoch. Aside from a few years in the late 1970s, he has lived his whole life in what is now North Frontenac. With his wife Deb, he has raised a family in the area.

He has worked as a textile operator, a foreman, and a survey technician, commuting to Perth and other locations. Later, he owned and operated a school bus and drove for the Limestone District School Board. He has been retired for four years.

“I now find I have the time needed to dedicate myself to giving back to the community that has given me so much throughout my life,” he said in describing his decision to seek a council position in Ward 2 (Clarendon and Miller)

If elected, this would not be Hermer's first experience on Council. In the 1990s he served two three-year terms under Clar-Mill reeve, Stan Johnston.

He left politics after amalgamation as other priorities took his attention away from politics.

He said that one of his priorities is reversing the trend towards decreasing population in the township.

“Several initiatives put forth by the Economic Development Task Force are things that I don't feel are in the interest of the taxpayers of North Frontenac,” he said, “The Dark Skies pad and the location it was set up in, solar retrofits for the township office, and the $1.9 million administration building they want to build - I don't feel these are necessary and realistic projects,” he said.

He said that capital spending, except for necessities such as roads and bridges, should be put on hold until “we achieve a stronger tax base.

“I hate to think that the township will be responsible, through higher and higher taxes, for elderly people having to leave the area and move into supported housing,” he said.

He is in favour of extensive promotional programs in Ottawa and Toronto to bring more people in. He thinks that while much of this can be done using social media at minimal cost, “There would have to be some budget for it, I'm sure, but we seem to be able to find money for all sorts of unnecessary projects; we should be able to come up with a dollar or two for promotion,” he said.

In terms of township operations as a whole, Hermer is in favour of restraint.

“Taxes are too high. We have to review all administrative costs and budgets to see where cost cutting can occur. In any other level of government, when the economy is tight they tighten their belt. What has been going on just seems to fly in the face of what conditions are at present.”