Link: http://www.saublesewer.com/election.html
- Introduction
I’ll keep this brief as you’ll be able to learn more about me through checking out my website electstephen.blogspot.com. I look at the opportunity to run in the election as a chance to focus my energy on representing the voter’s needs. Listening to the community and bring their issues forward to council. I believe that most issues that can be resolved to the benefit of everyone, and I look forward to working with fellow councillors to the benefit of South Bruce Peninsula.
1. It is important that the Town’s business be conducted in an atmosphere of openness and transparency; too much is conducted in closed sessions. How will you improve communication and consultation with ratepayers?
All meetings should be open, unless absolutely necessary. It is imperative that council is conducted as openly as can be however, there are a couple of provincial laws covering closed meetings. The only thing that is really important to state is these should be followed to the letter. Meetings should only be closed if completely required.
2. Much has been written in the press and in the ombudsman’s report regarding the acrimony and dysfunction of our current council. Do you feel you are able to work well with others, arrive at a consensus and support it, even if the result is one you do not agree with?
Short answer is yes. We are all here to work together to move the town forward, and we should all be able to see that we’re working together not against each other.
3. Regardless of how you spin the numbers, 2010 property tax revenues for the Town increased by approximately 10% over the property tax revenues for 2009. What are your ideas for better fiscal management; controlling spending; proper use of our tax dollars; and reducing our tax burden?
When you look at the higher levels of government you notice the trend after the economic down turn towards asperity in their budgets.
We have to consider like them, what is 100% required? What can we do to plan ahead? What returns the most for the dollars we spend? Every dime is raised from us as taxpayers. It comes to sitting down, and looking at the numbers and making tough choices.
4. The salary and benefit costs of running our town are considered by some to be exorbitant when compared to the average income of the residents of the municipality. What plans do you have to reduce and control the town’s administrative costs?
Same as the above question. How are we going to make the choices to correctly use taxpayer’s money? We really need to look at this even more so now after a recession.
5. By-law enforcement seems to be primarily focused on issuing parking tickets and there have been attempts to transfer parking revenue to the General Revenue account. Beach bylaws regarding littering, cooking, dogs, and tents are rarely, if ever, enforced. What are your views on paid parking; use of this revenue; free parking passes for residents; and enforcement of bylaws designed to protect the beach?
By-laws should be enforced equally since they are all laws. As to if they are good laws or have the support of the community you would have to look at them one by one. For the revenue the money has to go somewhere. To me general revenue makes sense, but I could also see it being ear marked for special services like police, fire fighters, or EMS a way to increase their budgets and service to the community.
6. Waste management is becoming a big problem. Are you for or against a full bag-tag system; can we expand our recycling program to include more items like our neighbouring municipalities; and what environmentally sound solution do you propose to extend the life of our landfill?
In general I’m against a full garbage tag system there is no reason to change to a full one. You have to look at the pros and cons, will illegal dumping increase if we go full bag-tag? Will it divert enough to really save our landfill? All we’d be doing is pushing it down the road. I think increasing the amount of items that are recyclable and maybe joining with other municipalities to look into a joint project into garbage incineration might be a good idea.
7. The Sauble River and Sauble Beach are important natural resources that must be protected and improved. What plans do you have to ensure appropriate management of our natural resources?
Sauble River, Sauble Beach, Bruce Trail, and Georgian Bay etc, South Bruce peninsula has so much in natural wonders and resources. Whenever an action is being discussed that has an affect on a part of nature we need to study the effects and have broad public consultation. It is the voters that will be living there, and in using our natural treasures, we get one shot.
8. There have been many attempts to get water and sewers for Sauble Beach. The Sauble Sewer Project is an exceptionally controversial topic in this community. What are your perspectives specifically?
Obviously I’m not from Sauble and as such don’t have all the facts on the water and sewer project, but my understanding is a sewer system could greatly advance the infrastructure of the town as well as possibly cleaning up and protecting the beach. Listening to the community and the experts as well as getting inputs from businesses would be the best option here in my opinion.
9. A recent Growth Strategy for Sauble Beach, predicated on full water and sewer services, calls for urbanization and intensification in the community. What are your views on this proposal; and do you believe in formulating a strategic plan to guide the Town through the next 5 to 10 years?
Unfortunately I haven’t seen the Growth Strategy for Sauble Beach so my views are limited to general thoughts. I think in respect to plans that it’s always advisable to think long term instead of making the decision last second when no general plan on where you’re heading. I think each decision should be weighed on its merits and how it advances the goals of the people that live in the area.
10. Why did you decide to run for office; what differentiates you from the other candidates; and what contributions will you bring to the community?
I helped in 2 federal elections, 1 province and 1 municipal. I watched quite a few key votes on parliament hill in Ottawa. Basically what I’m trying to say is I’ve always been interested in the concept of democracy and rule of the people. Maybe I’ll win, maybe I won’t but I will bring my all and learn what I need to learn. What differentiates me from the other candidates is age, prospective, and energy. Obviously my age is quite young, but I’m looking forward to proving that I have the energy required to learn my job as your councillor representing your needs, and helping contribute and grow this wonderful community we all live in.
- Closing Comments
I will bring my passion for democracy, with the understanding that for democracy to work you must at all times listen to the voters. Working well with council is a given and when the new council is elected on Oct 25th I will be looking to advance the needs of South Bruce Peninsula. I welcome you to come to Lloyd’s Smoke Shop and Pool Hall in Wiarton and have a talk. I look forward to meeting you.
- Contact Information
Call with your name and number or email and I will get back as soon as I can.
Store: 519-534-1445
E-mail: electstephen@gmail.com
Or drop into Lloyd’s and see if I’m around, and we’ll talk in between costumers.
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