Barrie PC leaders step forward

Nuttall, Jackson, Hermiston-Campbell, McCallum run for PC nomination
By Janis Ramsay Barrie Advance Nov 25, 2010
BARRIE – With Friday’s deadline for PC candidate nominations, there are now four in the running.
Hot off the heels of the municipal election, Rod Jackson has put his name forward.
“I’ve always enjoyed serving the community, and it’s a natural progression after serving four years,” said Jackson, who failed to be re-elected in Ward 3.
Jackson’s been a member of the party for a long time, and said physician recruitment is an issue close to his heart.
“We have a newly-expanded hospital coming, but they’re cutting jobs. Nurses are losing their jobs, people don’t have family doctors and none of it makes sense,” he said.
Public safety is also a priority, and municipalities aren’t getting provincial government resources to deal with it.
Jackson made his announcement soon after the election though he was disappointed when he didn’t get re-elected. “I wanted to do that job for another four years, but it opened another door for me,” he said.
Jackson isn’t alone in running for the PC party nod, but he had some words for city councillors considering the spot.
“Frankly, if anyone on this council is interested in running, it’s an awful mistake,” he said. “It hasn’t even been inaugurated yet and it’s disingenuous at best.”
Ward 10 Coun. Alex Nuttall has submitted his name in the running for the PC party. He didn’t return The Advance’s calls by press time.
Nuttall was re-elected to his council seat and will be sworn in Dec. 6.
Greer Hermiston-Campbell, meanwhile, also wants to represent the riding for the PC party.
With her background in sales, training and communications, she’s ready for the job.
“I understand the challenges that businesses face and my career has been about providing creative solutions that impact profitability,” she said.
Education and health care are priorities for Barrie, she said, especially with recent school closings and doctor shortages.
Last year’s scandal when a few Barrie PC Riding Association members were charged with gang sex assault, “derailed the group,” said Hermiston-Campbell.
“We were behind the rest of the ridings for getting a candidate nominated. It’s hard to hold events and fundraise when you don’t have a candidate, so I think Barrie is a number one priority for the province,” she said.
She said the face of Barrie has changed in her lifetime, and the PC candidate should understand that demographic.
And Wayne McCallum said he could identify with many Barrie residents.
McCallum hadn’t yet been officially confirmed as an approved candidate by press time, but he filed his nomination Tuesday.
He might be new to the political scene, but he’s got plenty of experience to share.
 “I see it as an advantage that I’m not a politician. I wear work boots and pack my lunch everyday. I’ve worked white collar, blue collar and have the experience,” he said.
McCallum is now the business manager at Northern Welding College and sees how the economy has affected adults.
“Barrie needs more manufacturing jobs. Our area should be measured on production, not service. Production is a tangible thing, it’s durable and Barrie needs that,” he said.
He’s been married to his second wife for more than 20 years, but said there was a time when he was a single parent.
“I’ve had to live paycheck to paycheck and I’ve had my Hydro cut off. I know what it’s like to live like that.”
And his wife has Multiple Sclerosis, so he’s seen what the state of the health care system is doing to people.
“I used to work in medical research and I see people going offshore for MS treatment,” he said. “I see many areas where improvements could be made. With my background, I might be able to steer things in a better direction.”
McCallum said he’s an old-fashioned guy and believes in the basic way of going things. “I believe in the smell test,” he said. “If it stinks, don’t do it. I also believe you’re born with two ears and one mouth. Listen more than you talk and you’ll learn a lot more.”
The election date to choose a candidate is Dec. 17. Only PC party members can vote. A membership is $10 and more information can be found at www.barriepc.ca.