There were several tire-kickers, apparently, but according to riding association president Bill Fehr, only one hopeful stepped forward with paperwork in hand.
That was Rob Flack of Dorchester. And so, in the June provincial vote, Flack will be the PC candidate representing Elgin-Middlesex-London.
We caught up with him yesterday morning (Jan. 21) on his way to work and delayed his arrival by a few minutes.
However when you are president and CEO of a large operation like Masterfeeds, who is going to complain.
Their mission statement is as follows, “As a leader in the Canadian animal nutrition industry, Masterfeeds will serve livestock and poultry producers with research-based and proven animal feeding solutions – supported by skilled employees, dealers and sales staff who are accountable to the ongoing success of our customers and stakeholders.”
The short version is catchy, “People advancing animal nutrition.”
Flack graduated from the University of Guelph in 1979 and began as a sales trainee at Masterfeeds. Fourteen years later, he was appointed president and CEO.
But he tells the story better than we ever could.
“I thought I was going to become a dairy farmer and beef farmer,” recalls Flack, “but I didn’t have a family farm to go back to, so I got hired by Masterfeeds and thought I’ll try this for a little bit and see how I do.
“And I loved it.
“I worked my way up the ladder, as they say, and I was the youngest president named at the company.”
You have to admire his philosophy.
“Do well at something you’re passionate about. And, I’ve had a very, very fortunate career. It hasn’t been easy because the agribusiness isn’t easy.”
They have been headquartered in London since the early 1980s and Flack moved to Dorchester in 1994 which just so happens to be in Elgin-Middlesex-London riding.
This won’t be his first kick at the political can as Flack was the PC candidate for London West in last year’s federal election.
He lost to Liberal candidate Arielle Kayabaga by less than 3,000 votes.
“We gave it a real good go,” noted Flack, “and moved the hill a bit. But it wasn’t meant to be for Mr. O’Toole and the Conservatives.
“It’s a swing seat, so as the government goes, London West goes.”
Afterward, the focus returned to the agribusiness until “a fine gentleman named Jeff Yurek decided to retire from politics.
“The Yurek formula worked and worked well, so I don’t see why we couldn’t emulate that.”
“My phone started to ring and we had to make a quick decision. I talked to my best friend and wife, Denise, and after about a day she said, Why not?'”
An early inspiration for Flack when he was growing up in Streetsville, just west of Toronto, was former Ontario Premier Bill Davis, who died last Aug. 8.
“He was our MPP and a life-long mentor of mine and always encouraged me to run. I am very proud of my association with William Grenville Davis, for sure.”
The writ will be dropped in early May with the election slated for June 2.
“We’ll get our running shoes on, get out on our listening and learning tour and meet as many people as possible.
“We’re putting a campaign team together as we speak. What we really want to do is to integrate as many of Jeff’s team as possible.
“Obviously he had a winning record . . . and we’re going to give it our best shot, for sure.
“I really want to put my leadership experience and, hopefully, a little bit of common sense to work for the people of EML so we continue to attract investment here.”
“The Yurek formula worked and worked well, so I don’t see why we couldn’t emulate that.”
Asked if Yurek will be part of the team, Flack offered, “I hope so. We’ll reach out and make sure he’s invited.
“But, when you leave politics, sometimes it’s good to turn the page and it will be entirely up to Jeff.”
As for the issues to focus on in the lead-up to the June vote, Flack said it really should be about post-pandemic recovery.
“I think the Ford government was well on its way to righting a lot of the wrongs that happened in the 14 years of (Dalton) McGuinty and (Kathleen) Wynne.
“But the world got hit with this pandemic and so it has been front and centre.
“But, I’m confident we’ll come out of it soon and we’re going to have to talk about rebuilding our economy, talk about healthcare.
“We have to add acute care capacity in this province. I think housing is a huge issue.
“I’ll be equally proud to drive to St. Thomas to work every day and that’s where the constituency office should be. That’s where it is and that’s where it will stay if the good people of EML decide to send me to Queen’s Park.”
“But the big underlier in all this is inflation. We’re going to have to get our arms around it.
“I really want to put my leadership experience and, hopefully, a little bit of common sense to work for the people of EML so we continue to attract investment here.
Flack continued, “Working with the mayors, the municipalities and economic development.
“For instance, Joe Preston and I are good friends and I can see he and I will work very, very well together and I hope Joe runs again to be mayor because I think we could make a pretty good team in trying to help and advance causes all good for EML.”
If successful at the polls, Flack left no doubt he will base his political operation out of St. Thomas.
“As I said to everybody Tuesday night, while I’m a proud resident of Dorchester and Thames Centre, we raised our daughter here and we absolutely love it, but I’ll be equally proud to drive to St. Thomas to work every day and that’s where the constituency office should be.
“That’s where it is and that’s where it will stay if the good people of EML decide to send me to Queen’s Park.”
Flack wrapped up the conversation by stressing he is as proud and excited as he’s ever been to be in politics.
“I love that it’s my home riding. I love the ag base and that’s been my life talking to farmers and agribusinesses.
“I think I can bring some value to Queen’s Park.”
ONE TO WATCH
At last Monday’s council meeting (Jan. 17) members dealt with a request by the city’s two taxi operators – Your Taxi and Red Line – for a fare increase to alleviate increased costs.
The two firms are requesting a $1 increase on the meter starting rate and a 10-cent increase on the distance increment.
Keep in mind city staff last year presented council with a report calling for deregulating the taxi and private ride industry.
Council deferred the issue pending a delegation by the taxi firms and further discussion.
That delegation has yet to be scheduled.
“I know a lot of people think that it could come with cheaper rates by having deregulation but it also could come with some consequences.”
Last year the city conducted an online survey that attracted just 76 respondents.
The electronic survey indicated 78 per cent of respondents would prefer to see more ride-sharing options.
Sixty-six per cent felt opening up the market would provide more choices in transportation.
And, 67 per cent felt it would result in better value for money.
At that time, council directed staff to prepare a new bylaw to be known as the Private Transportation Bylaw that would remove the city from the fare regulation process, reduce bureaucracy in the taxi industry and open up the ride-sharing market.
It appears that the bylaw may come before council next month.
“The fact that the owners of a couple of great companies in our community have to come forward with hat in hand to council to get their prices set for them also needs to go away.”
Coun. Jeff Kohler has concerns about deregulation, specifically around the protection of customers.
“Who is going to be there to ensure the people who will be providing the service at that time. Would we even have a service 24 hours around the clock or if they are carrying the proper insurance?”
Kohler continued, “I know a lot of people think that it could come with cheaper rates by having deregulation but it also could come with some consequences.”
Mayor Joe Preston stressed, “I don’t believe council should be setting the rates for taxis. I understand in the past we set a number of criteria for taxis.
“Almost all now are provincially regulated not municipally regulated from a safety, insurance, license, drivers, criminal checks and those types of things.
“As a business person in this town, I’m not certain I want council telling me how to set prices.
“The fact that the owners of a couple of great companies in our community have to come forward with hat in hand to council to get their prices set for them also needs to go away.”
This issue has dragged on for some time with no resolution and Coun. Steve Peters nailed it with, “We need to give clear direction to our staff. We can’t keep referring this issue back to staff.
“We as council need to say ‘here is where we stand on it.’
After a long trip down a winding road, members agreed the taxi companies should set their rates, however, the city would still maintain regulatory control as per the existing bylaw to ensure customer protection.
A vote on the above is scheduled for the Feb. 7 council meeting.
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RINK REVIVAL
With a prolonged stretch of cold weather upon us, council’s unanimous approval of an outdoor rink adjacent to Msgr. Morrison Catholic School is welcome news for outdoor enthusiasts.
The consensus from members is, can we incorporate such rinks elsewhere in the city?
A good point raised by Coun. Kohler.
Will the rink be accessible for those with mobility issues? Will they be able to manoeuvre the pathway to the ice surface?
Jeff Bray, the city’s Director of Parks, Recreation and Property Management advised, “We can certainly look at that. I don’t see it being a big issue to improve accessibility. Once the rink is in, we will assess.”
The enthusiasm exhibited by council members for the rink and possibly additional outdoor ice surfaces in winters to come matched the exuberance on display in Christmas past when youngsters discovered a pair of tube skates left behind by Santa.
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COMING UP . . .
We discovered this week the St. Thomas Police Service posts a Weekly Court Dispositions list which advises officers on the outcome of arrests and charges in the city.
As per the preamble to the weekly listing, “The court’s disposition is the final settlement of the matter pending an appeal.
“This redacted version is an illustration of what types of charges meet the court’s requirement of release with conditions, what type of penalties are being issued upon conviction and how many charges are simply being withdrawn.”
We have talked in the past with Chief Chris Herridge about how the abilities of the St. Thomas Police Service are limited with the current ‘catch and release’ approach to justice.
He has stressed the need for a “two-stream” criminal justice system.
The service notes, “Officers across Ontario exhaust themselves policing their cities with fairness, compassion, dignity and respect only to see the same offenders being arrested repeatedly.”
The preamble concludes, “We cannot arrest our way out of the cycle of poverty, addiction, homelessness and mental health, nor should vulnerable people be treated like criminals.
“It will take an authentic and genuine commitment from all of our community partners and levels of government to help those who cannot help themselves.”
Next week we will get engage with Chief Herridge to get the backstory on the Weekly Court Dispositions.
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St. Thomas Police Chief Chris Herridge calls for a ‘two-stream’ criminal justice system
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