SOUTH HURON — Stephen ward Coun. Jim Dietrich wants to be South Huron's next deputy mayor.

As reported last week on southhuron.com, the two-time South Huron councillor announced at council's July 19 meeting that he is running for deputy mayor in this fall's municipal election.

And with current Deputy Mayor George Robertson seeking the mayor's chair in the next election, Dietrich so far has no competition for deputy mayor.

Dietrich, who farms in Shipka and works part time at Exeter Produce, told the Times-Advocate recently he has been thinking about vying for the deputy mayor's chair for about the past year. He said it was a tough decision to make, but he said it's time to "move up" on council.

Dietrich, who also sat on the former Stephen council before amalgamation, said he enjoys politics and likes helping people in the community and making decisions that have an affect on the municipality. He said he does his best to keep taxes as low as possible while maintaining services.

Dietrich added he likes listening to the concerns of ratepayers.

Looking ahead to the next term, he said the municipality needs to finish the work at the Crediton Sportsplex and the collection system for the Grand Bend Sewage Treatment Plant.

He said he hopes the Exeter Diversion Drain goes ahead to help with Exeter's flooding problem.

Dietrich wants to work with council to bring more jobs and industries to the area.

Along with Mayor Ken Oke and Robertson, Dietrich represents South Huron on Huron County council and that is a role that would continue if he is elected deputy mayor. He said he enjoys his work at the county level.

Looking back at the current term, Dietrich points to the Lake Huron water pipeline to Exeter, the water tower in Huron Park, the Crediton/Centralia sewer project and the Mainstreets Exeter grant as major accomplishments.

He admitted it has been a tough term because of the many expensive construction projects and the increase in water rates, but he said South Huron's infrastructure is in good shape for those looking to come to the area to start a business or build a home.