Jeff Bogaerts told a town hall meeting in Lanark Village that local residents should elect people like Hazel McCallion, mayor of Mississauga for the past 30 years.

He said Mississauga, where McCallion at 89 plans to run for re-election this fall, presides over a municipality that is debt-free.

“If fiscal accountability can be found in Mississauga,” Bogaerts told the meeting, “then it can be done in Lanark.” He added, “we need to do a lot to get our fiscal house in shape.”

Bogaerts neglected to point out that Mississauga is considered one of the richest municipalities in Canada, with massive residential, commercial and industrial assessment.

Lanark Highlands, where health authorities say residents face a serious hazard from contaminated wells, is the poorest municipality in Lanark County, which, in turn, is one of the poorest counties in Ontario.

Bogaerts moderated the town hall meeting organized by the landowners association, which says it was intended to allow residents to voice their concerns about taxes, sustainability, business development and a proposed $28-million water and sewage treatment system for Lanark Village.

Most of those present expressed concerns about the cost of the water and sewage system and that the township council was not listening to their concerns.

One resident said “We were never asked what we wanted…we have to stop the spending,” adding, “they are spending money on something that will never happen.” Bogaerts told the 50 people in attendance if they aren’t satisfied with their municipal council, they should run for office this fall.

He urged anyone interested in running in October’s municipal election to contact him. The landowners’ association plans to run a slate of candidates in all municipalities in Lanark County.