CONTACT INFORMATION:
619 Statters Lake Ave,
Holyrood, ON N0G 2B0
Phone: 519-395-4528
Cell: 519-955-4528
Email: db.murray@hurontel.on.ca
QUESTION (1)
The Point Clark Beach Association commends anyone who puts their name forward for public office. Congratulations for this first step.
• Why should we vote for you?
Voting for me would give you an experienced voice. I was elected to council in 2006 and in 2018 I was elected to Deputy Mayor. I gained much knowledge and understanding of the municipal workings by starting at the bottom and working my way up. I believe I am the best choice with 16 years of knowledge and understanding under my belt. I am a strong, common sense, reasonable, and reliable person who you can count on to be your voice and will be a strong leader going forward for the next 4 years. I am a person who will listen and work with you to help resolve issues.
QUESTION (2)
Point Clark has very much become an Active Transportation area. Walking and biking are undertaken throughout the community.
• Do you believe the Township should invest in creating and improving active transportation trail systems in Point Clark?
• Would you be in favor of investigating a bridge between the Point Clark and Lurgan Beach communities?
Currently staff is working on a Parks and Recreation Master Plan for the entire municipality. I look forward to seeing the comments from the public on what they would like to see.
Council has previously expressed a desire to improve cyclist and pedestrian safety on Lake Range Dr. and staff are working on plans to construct paved shoulders that are to be used as multi-use paths from Con. 12 to Con. 10 for consideration in 2023 budget deliberations. The intent would be to continue constructing multi-use paths on Lake Range that will connect the existing paved shoulders north of Con. 12 and south of Con. 4.
If elected I would be in favor of the investigation of the bridge, with keeping in mind that the municipality has 95 bridges and structures that already exist that keep our traffic moving. Any proposal brought forward would and should be investigated.
QUESTION (3)
By law enforcement remains top of mind for many on the lakeshore. The method of handling is currently by complaint.
• Due to the nature of bylaw complaints, particularly on weekends, should the Township consider a more proactive approach to bylaw enforcement?
If elected I would be more that happy to listen to all options and thoughts residents have on how we could improve this service.
QUESTION (4)
Taxes from the lakeshore area make up a substantial portion of revenue for the Township of Huron-Kinloss.
• Do you feel services and facilities available to the lakeshore area reflects this reality?
• Do you believe Emergency Services such as fire and paramedics to be adequate for the growing communities along the lakeshore?
Fire and Emergency Services for the township and specifically the lakeshore communities are delivered from the stations in Ripley, Lucknow and Kincardine.
During the past couple of years enhancements have been made by the township to emergency response services with the lakeshore communities in the following ways
– Recruitment of firefighters that live directly in the lakeshore area communities and equipping them with lifesaving equipment for faster response times,
– an automatic aid agreement for fire responses between the Ripley and Kincardine fire stations has been put into place so they both are immediately dispatched to any known structure fire scenario along the lakeshore which allows for the closest station to arrive first and reducing response times.
In addition to this, the township is currently conducting a Fire and Emergency Service review and will be developing a 10-year strategic plan based on growth potential of the township. This report will be completed by the end of this year and may contain further recommendations for service enhancements.
We will take an open and responsible approach to implementing any recommendations to enhance Fire and Emergency Services for all areas including the lakeshore communities as we are able to within our financial limitations. I have strong faith in the abilities of our volunteer firefighters and currently, I believe we are meeting the necessary requirements to keep all our residents safe.
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.
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?
Drinking water along the Lakeshore is safe and raw water contamination is not a concern. When residents mention Lakeshore water quality concerns, they are normally referring to the Blairs Grove Well, which has significantly harder water than other Lakeshore wells. This is a result of natural occurring minerals found in the aquifer in this area, which we suspect may result in a reduced lifespan of the well casing. For this reason, staff are currently investigating the potential of pumping more water from Point Clark Well 3 in the future, which could replace the need to use the Blairs Grove Well and would result in more consistent water quality in the southern Lakeshore area.
Also, we are working on an updated Growth and Servicing Master Plan which will include population growth projections across the Township over the next 25 years. Based on the current calculations, the Lakeshore water system will be more than adequate to support the anticipated growth along the Lakeshore over the next 25 years.
In closing, thank you for the opportunity to respond to these questions and I ask for your support on October 24, 2022 and will look forward to serving you again.