The Race is on in Lambton Shores

Lambton Shores is the Municipality formed as a result of the amalgamation of Grand Bend, Forest and Bosanquet Township and includes 12,000 residents, living for the most part in the towns and villages of Arkona, Forest, Grand Bend, Ipperwash, Port Franks and Thedford

Now with with five declared candidates for Mayor of Lambton Shores the horse race gets underway as the deadline for declaring comes to a close.


When incumbent Mayor Gord Minielly announced in January he was ending a 30-year political career it created a political vacuum in Lambton Shores


Eager to fill it are three sitting councillors — Bill Weber, Mark Simpson and John Dehondt , one newcomer, Marvin Wallace and a previous Mayoral candidate Syd Fletcher




Beachfront usage and a contentious sewer extension in Grand Bend are two key issues,
With three councillors seeking the mayor's job, seats have opened up Wards 1, 2 and 3 inspiring an influx of new candidates.

Wild election looms in Lambton Shores

Lambton Shores is the  Municipality formed as a result of the amalgamation of Grand Bend, Forest and Bosanquet Township and includes 12,000 residents, living for the most part in the towns and villages of Arkona, Forest, Grand Bend, Ipperwash, Port Franks and Thedford

The following article about the upcoming Municipal Election is from the Sarnia Observer July 28,2010.

SHAWN JEFFORDS The Observer
The mayor's job is up for grabs in Lambton Shores and the campaign promises to be a wild one with four declared candidates and electricity in the air.
When Gord Minielly announced in January he was ending a 30-year political career it created a political vacuum in Lambton County's "other" city.
And eager to fill it are three sitting councillors — Bill Weber, Mark Simpson and John Dehondt — and one newcomer, Marvin Wallace.
In fact, 17 candidates have already filed papers seeking a council seat and nominations don't close until Sept. 10.
Minielly said the "silly season" has begun in Lambton Shores.
Beachfront usage and a contentious sewer extension in Grand Bend are two key issues, and he's happy to let a new crop of politicians duke it out, he said.
"There's a group in the Bend that thinks (council) is evil, and they're trying to put a candidate in every ward," he said. "They're trying to overthrow the government. There's lots of s...t going on."
With three councillors seeking the mayor's job, seats have opened up the wards, inspiring an influx of new candidates, Minielly said.
"The incumbent always has an edge. Because there's no incumbent in those wards there's quite a big interest."
The large slate of candidates is unusual so early in an election cycle, said former Grand Bend Mayor Bob Sharen.
The response reflects a lack of transparency on council over the sewer extension in the Bend, he said.
"It's going to get heated, or at least I hope so. That makes it interesting."
Sharen, who considered running himself, said even more mayoral hopeful may yet enter the fray.
"I'm hearing rumours of at least one more candidate who may come out of the woodwork," he said.
Despite hard feelings created by the sewer issue, Sharen said he hopes the coming debate is civil.
"The candidates need to focus on the issues, not personalities. I think the new people will have an edge in this election. ... They have to get out and let everyone find out what they're really like."
The charged atmosphere in Lambton Shores is in sharp contrast to the quiet mood in Sarnia, which has no declared candidates for mayor and just four council candidates.
Minielly believes Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley will run again but he won't declare until the last minute.
As for himself, Minielly said he plans to be a regular citizen again free of the constraints of political life. Asked specifically what he intends to do, the mayor replied he wasn't sure.
"I guess I'll do whatever I want," he said with a laugh.

Welcome to Grand Bend!!!

The final component of the recent revitalization of Main St. Grand Bend went into place recently. The new "Gateway" was included in the project as homage to the old "Welcome" sign that used to span the Main St. The project received nearly $1,500,000.00 in Federal / Provincial funding support from the Stimulus Program.

Grand Bend

New Grand Bend sign going up in time for Canada Day. As part of the multi million dollar Main Street upgrade one of the finishing touches is this new sign at the top of Main Street remniscent of some that existed in the past..see 2 examples below. The last Main St sign disappeared in the early 1960's. The cars give you an idea of the era.

Grand Bend 's Downtown Comes Alive

Changes are Fast and Furious to Grand Bends Downtown

thanks to a multi million dollar upgrade right on the heels of

last years multi million dollar Beach Enhancement.

Other changes as well as the Bend gears up

 for the Two Four  Weekend

A new Licensed Patio Being added to the Colonial and Gables

Changes and themes to Each Intersection This one at Archies Emporium ( Eilber and Elmwood at Main St )

New Clothing Store at the old Barefoot Pedlar

Elmwood and Main St Intersection

Kazwear and Kazmania's New Building

New Parking Lot Between Archies and Little Ginos with 30 plus Parking Spots

Hard to see but a New Funky Restaurant in the Lakeview 's fromer location behind Appropos called The Sunset

House .

Complete Reno to Grand Bend Hardware beside Sea Jewels which will be the return of George

The following is from The London Free Press May 5, 2010


Premier Dalton McGuinty has finally admitted Ontario families will pay hundreds, if not thousands, of dollars more in taxes because of the new 13% harmonized sales tax, or HST.



It's about time, but it's really no surprise since basic logic told most of us long ago that if we're paying more taxes on more items than before the change, we'll be paying more, despite promises of transition payments and income tax cuts that are supposed to make the HST a wash.


McGuinty had to concede Ontarians will be paying more, and kudos to the New Democrats for releasing a study showing the impact of the HST.


McGuinty is banking on taxpayer (voter) support to pay more in taxes to create more jobs and a better future. Don't count on it.


But there comes a point where shifting taxes from business to taxpayers is not just a burden, but also unfair and a mug's game as the money paid in taxes is taken out of the economy. The shift reduces discretionary spending, especially in the service sector, and costs jobs for the low-income workers who dominate that sector.


McGuinty clearly believes he's doing the right thing and, if the public disagrees, they'll let him know at the polls.


Again, he's right. The pressure's building. Don't be surprised if voters let of a little steam.

Dramatic rebound characterizes Canada's luxury home segment in 2010

69 per cent of markets set records for best-ever first quarter sales

Just on the market, first time, in Southcott Pines Grand Bend

4-6 bedrooms $ 568,000. Call Larry for details 519 709 8977

more pics below 

Mississauga, ON (April 26, 2010) - Luxury home sales soared in the first quarter of 2010 as affluent purchasers moved to take advantage of favourable market conditions across the country, according to a report released today by RE/MAX.
The RE/MAX Upper End 2010 Report, highlighting sales and trends in 13 major Canadian centres and five sub-markets, found that improved economic performance, increased personal wealth, immigration and foreign investment all contributed to a serious upswing in sales. Virtually all areas experienced double and triple-digit increases between January and March of this year over 2009 figures for the same period. Nine out of the 13 markets examined (69 per cent) shattered existing records - setting new all-time highs for first quarter activity in the upper end.
"Real estate continues to resonate with purchasers at every price point," says Michael Polzler, Executive Vice President, RE/MAX Ontario-Atlantic Canada. "With the top end of the market shifting into high gear, every segment of the residential real estate sector is now operating in tandem. Despite the upward momentum, there are still deals to be had - especially at the higher price points-a fact that is motivating buyers to act."

Still Time to Rent A Cottage in July & August

The Fabulous up-grade to Main St Grand Bend continues at a feverish pace to meet the end of May deadline.
Here's a look April 13, 2010

This project on the same scale and scope as last years multi million dollar Beach Enhancement will further Grand Bends reputation as the number one tourist destination. You can join us this summer .There are still a couple of Summer weeks available to rent at 44 Walker located in the heart of Downtown.

Details are at www.grandbend4sale.com/44walker.htm