CONTACT INFORMATION:
571 Ludgard Street
Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0
Phone: 519-528-2425
Email: alanchurch5950@gmail.com
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?
I believe my honesty, integrity and also admitting when I’m wrong, would be some of my attributes. I’m apolitical with emphasis on personal responsibility before expecting others (i.e. the government) for assistance. Through my experiences in the area of mechanical trades I learned a good work ethic, assisted or represented my fellow workers in a unionized and non-union environment. Now retired, I would like to focus on our community and would be proud to serve with Huron-Kinloss Town Council.
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?
Personally I really like trails but the biggest considerations beyond the initial cost are maintenance and liability. If safety is a concern then perhaps an investment would be wise. Tourism would be a consideration too. Having lived in Saugeen Shores for 20 years I saw good and bad examples of trails, whereas paving the path next to the water was not the best idea due to freezing and ice, but having seasonal transportation was a good idea for traffic and parking. Perhaps the beach bridge fits this scenario.
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?
Not sure exactly what the issues are but assume they are of the seasonal long weekend type that usually are a noise issue. By-law enforcement wouldn’t be a good fit for intoxicated weekend rowdies, but I don’t have a good understanding of the situation either.
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?
Taxes are a concern and an issue I have strong opinions on. Equalization payments back to the provinces took a bad turn when Paul Martin was Prime Minister. Money that was suppose to be returned back to the provinces was diminished in order to pay down the federal budget deficit, thus causing our taxes to be higher at the local level. As a councilor I would be very vocal (as I have in the past) with our local elected reps from both upper levels of government. I believe the township has far better spending and reporting practices than either provincial or federal governments. Perhaps MPAC could be addressed as their assessments appear to have bias on appearance alone. Personally I am tired of governments taxing on a basis of what the tax payer can afford.
I don’t currently have a good grasp of what the Point Clark/ Lurgan Beach needs that aren’t being met, but I believe that Lucknow and Ripley have adequate emergency facilities. Keeping a strong volunteer contingency of Fire Fighters is important to keep wasteful upper levels of government and bureaucracy out of the equation. My bigger concern is in health care. I believe walk in clinics and wellness centers would serve the community better in keeping people healthy and reduce the load on the hospitals.
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.
The water quality is certainly a concern from the last report I read. The level of naturally occurring fluoride in the water table is alarming to me. However my experience in industry leads me to think fluoride filtration at the pumping station wouldn’t work without a serious drop in pressure and output to the community. I personally use home filtration which is far cheaper than any bottled options I am aware of.
Thank you for taking the time to read my responses and your consideration when voting in the fall election.