The main reason that Peter Barton is campaigning for another term in the municipal election is that he wants to keep giving back to Champlain Township.

“This is a community that has given so much for me and done so much for me,” he said, during a phone interview last Thursday. “I was raised to give back.”

Barton has finished two terms now as council’s representative for the Village of Vankleek Hill. Those eight years, he said, have made him very familiar with how the municipality works and with its needs and also with how best to work with senior levels of government to fulfill some of those needs.

“There’s so much going on now that I want to continue giving back,” said Barton. “I still have the energy for it. I still love the challenge, and there’s lots for me to do.”

One of the continuing challenges Barton foresees for the next council after the October municipal elections is managing the municipal budget to get the most value possible for residents in programs and services with the money available to the township.

Barton also foresees the high-speed rail project proposed by the Crown corporation ALTO as a continuing issue for the municipality. He and other members of township council voted unanimously earlier this year to an official rejection that Mayor Normand Riopel proposed on the project. The concern of council is that ALTO’s plan for a high-speed rail link between Toronto and Québec City, with stops along the way at Ottawa, Montréal and three other urban centres, could have a serious impact on rural areas along the route in Eastern Ontario.

“That is a significant issue,” said Barton. “I’m excited to be able to continue to push back.”

At present ALTO continues with its review process on possible route lines for its proposed rail project. Until more details are announced, Barton noted, he plans to do what he can to help residents of his ward and the township in general understand what the municipality is doing about the issue.

Maintaining and expanding municipal services as needed is another key issue for Barton’s reelection campaign platform. He noted that Vankleek Hill is seeing continued residential and commercial growth as are other areas of the township.

“We want to manage that growth so that it’s best for everyone,” he said. “I want to make sure that Vankleek Hill remains the beautiful little town that it is, and I appreciate the support I’ve gotten from the community.”