Dear Editor
I feel that I have to write a letter to express my disappointment and sadness at the outcome of our municipal election. For the last 4 years Hal Johnson has poured heart and soul into a job that he cared about so much and had so much knowledge and dedication to bring to the table. He had such vision for the potential of Whitewater Region and worked tirelessly to achieve those visions for the good of the entire Township. He knew all about the roads, water, sewage, bylaws and municipal governance and tried to do the best he could alongside his council members who he has only praise for the work they have done.
Hal has always worked to be as honest as possible and would never have allowed any of his supporters to spread gossip or untruths or cause hurt to another person even though there has been much hurt and defamation piled on him in the last few weeks. That has left him feeling deeply wounded and betrayed by the people of a township that he loved and worked so hard for. We were raised by our parents to be honest and caring people and Hal was everything he was taught to be no matter what was said about him during the campaign.
I am sad that so often during his tenure, criticism for so many things seemed to be aimed at him as if he were to blame personally for every problem that occurred. Do people not understand what is involved in taking care of a township of this size? Hal and the council worked hard to meet the needs of the township as a whole, they worked to bring the township into a cohesive and vibrant unit, they promoted tourism, business, and have worked hard to bring jobs to this township which will provide our youth with jobs in the future.
I am sad that he has been rewarded for that work by being slandered, maligned and treated like dirt. The least that could have been done was to be respectful and fair in the campaign and not engage in the abuse that took place.
Whitewater, you have lost a good man and you will not see that caliber of leadership for a long time I am afraid and that makes me sad.
I do not wish Michael Moore any ill but I am sad he comes into office, with no experience in municipal governance and has never even sat on council, and after such a disgraceful campaign spear-headed by his campaign team. Our family does not believe in that kind of mudslinging. I leave it to you out there to think on these things.
Jean Robinson
Whitewater Region
