Angela Thompkins

Posted on by Rob Foster

CONTACT INFORMATION

133 Waterloo Street
Kincardine, ON N2Z 0C7
Phone: 519-615-0146
Email: thompkins.angela@gmail.com

Website: www.angelaformayor.ca

QUESTION (1)

The Point Clark Beach Association commends anyone who puts their name forward for public office.  Congratulations for this first step.

Question: Why should we vote for you?

Answer: I am a results-oriented and proven leader with a diverse working and community experience. I understand what it’s means to be both a full-time and seasonal resident having spent many years using our property as a cottage before moving here full-time in 2014. I have a reputation for applying a common-sense approach to problems, bringing a fresh view, facilitating well-rounded solutions and in the end getting things done. Those are the qualities that are needed today in this municipality. It’s time for a new perspective and leadership vision within Huron-Kinloss council. I am more than qualified and have the energy to take on that challenge.

QUESTION (2)

Point Clark has very much become an Active Transportation area.  Walking and biking are undertaken throughout the community.

  • Question: Do you believe the Township should invest in creating and improving active transportation trail systems in Point Clark?
  • Answer: If you review my platform pillar “Protect Our Natural Environment”, I speak to supporting continued trail development to expand options for active transportation. So yes, I do believe the Township should invest in this area. It will benefit the recreational and fitness options for both residents and visitors.
  • Question: Would you be in favour of investigating a bridge between the Point Clark and Lurgan Beach communities
  • Answer: It would be reasonable to collaborate with both communities and perform some initial requirements gathering. The initial costs to do this would be minimal.  Let’s start with a survey, either paper-based or on “Have Your Say H-K” to understand what people are looking for.  As an example, would a foot-bridge suffice?  Where would it be? What is the appetite of the community(s) as a whole? Is this something that would tie in well with the trail system? I will be there to work with each community every step of the way.

QUESTION (3)

Bylaw enforcement remains top of mind for many on the lakeshore.  The method of handling is currently by complaint.

  • Question: Due to the nature of bylaw complaints, particularly on weekends, should the Township consider a more proactive approach to bylaw enforcement?
  • Answer: Yes, the Township should be looking more proactively at how bylaws are enforced in the municipality. The Township continues to introduce more bylaws but never speaks to how they are going to be enforced other than being complaint driven. This approach isn’t working. I’ve talked to numerous people who say they complain but nothing changes. We have noise bylaws that can’t reasonably be enforced because the bylaw officer doesn’t work weekends and the OPP don’t answer the detachment phone after 4 p.m. This virtually makes the bylaw useless so something has to change. You should expect changes going forward if I become Mayor. I will make this a high priority item.

QUESTION (4)

Taxes from the lakeshore area make up a substantial portion of revenue for the Township of Huron-Kinloss.

  • Question: Do you feel services and facilities available to the lakeshore area reflects this reality?
  • Answer: Being a resident of the lakeshore area myself, I don’t feel that the services and facilities available to the lakeshore reflect the reality of the tax base. I’ve heard from current council how they feel they are spending on Lakeshore but I really don’t see that value for dollars. There is a notable disparity of the source of tax income with 70+% coming from Lakeshore, to where it is spent, an inverse allocation. Lakeshore does supplement the rest of the Township and does deserve to have some additional dollars sent its way.
  • Question: Do you believe Emergency Services such as fire and paramedics to be adequate for the growing communities along the lakeshore?
  • Answer: The communities along lakeshore are rapidly growing and I’ve had many residents raise this concern with me. That is why in my platform pillar “Promote Community Life”, I committed to a study that would review the availability and response time of emergency services against the changing community. I’m not qualified myself to make that call but I feel a study by a qualified consultant is warranted.

QUESTION (5)

Drinking water quality in the Point Clark area has become an issue of some concern to the community.  And with the continued rapid expansion of the community, there will be continued pressure on this important system.

  • Question: Do you believe there should be an upgrade or change in treatment to the water system for Point Clark to ensure long term safe clean drinking water?
  • Answer: I am aware that there was budget approval at recent council meetings to complete some maintenance on the Lakeshore water tower. With much growth happening in both Lakeshore and Ripley areas the Township must regularly evaluate the long-term viability and quality of the infrastructure that services each area. I will commit to review when these were last completed and the resulting outcomes. If the responses aren’t satisfactory, I’ll work with council to vote for a new review with plans to address the recommendations. Drinking water quality is important and no community wants another Walkerton situation.

For more information about me and my platform, please go to www.angelaformayor.ca

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