A chance encounter with Doug Ford proved fruitful for the Warden of Essex County.
Tom Bain says he ran into Ontario's premier at the 2018 International Plowing Match in Chatham-Kent and was able bring a couple of issues important to the region to his attention.
Bain says, most notably, Ford assured him plenty of behind the scenes work continues to push forward with the widening of Highway 3.
"I reinforced our need for our Highway 3 bypass improvements and the safety factors that are involved and, by reinforcing it, I left that brief discussion feeling assured that they are working on the problem and I thought it was very positive."
No hard timelines were given, but Bain says he was assured plans for the project remain a priority.
"I wasn't able to get any timelines out of them, but they assured me that they're not pushed to the back shelf. They do realize the death factor that are involved with the Highway 3 bypass and that the problem is only going to get worse if something is not done."
Lakeshore Mayor, Tom Bain (AM800 file photo)
He says he also spoke with Minister of Agriculture, Ernie Hardeman, who had nothing but good things to say about horse racing in Essex County.
"He's looking at it and well aware of the very exciting season that we're having in Leamington so far, but we need bigger purse money. So he's going to look into the financial aspect of it for us for years to come."
Premier Ford took part in the opening ceremony for the International Plowing Match on Tuesday.
The event in Pain Court wraps up this Saturday.