CONTACT INFORMATION
322 Highland Drive
Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X3
Phone: 519-374-5372
Email: ianbrianmaceachern@gmail.com
• Why should we vote for you?
I have spent 2 months each year all of my life at Bruce Beach. I have lived here full time since retiring as a school teacher. I have spent countless hours going to the Council Meetings to talk about the many issues related to our shoreline.
• Do you believe the Township should invest in creating and improving active transportation trail systems in Point Clark?
I often ride my bike from my home through Lurgan Beach and then through Point Clark to the lighthouse. I would be very much in favour of money being spent on better trails as well as more trails. 70% of all taxes raised in H-K come from the area between Lake Range Dr. and the lakeshore. I believe there has been a great imbalance where these taxes are spent. It is time that we began a fair distribution of the tax dollars.
• Would you be in favour of investigating a bridge between the Point Clark and Lurgan Beach communities?
I would support a foot/bicycle bridge over the river. However I feel that the residents in the area chosen for a bridge must be consulted. They would feel some impact in their lives by such a bridge. I think it would be a mistake to build a bridge for cars over Pine River.
• Due to the nature of bylaw complaints, particularly on weekends, should the Township consider a more proactive approach to bylaw enforcement?
I assume that most of the complaints would be of the noise bylaw type. If this is the case then there certainly needs to be changes to how the bylaws are enforced. The police have enough on their hands on weekends. A more proactive bylaw officer could be helpful. If less money was spent elsewhere maybe a second bylaw officer could be hired. The present council has spent $2.5million of your tax dollars on an industrial park in Ripley. They hope to recoup our tax dollars by selling lots to 20 new commercial and industrial enterprises and then having these companies build facilities that can be later taxed. When was the last time a company moved operations to Ripley?
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 reflect this reality?
Huron-Kinloss collects about $10 million in taxes each year. The Shoreline residents pay about $7 million of that revenue. Huron-Kinloss also receives Provincial and Federal Grants for various projects. That’s a lot of money. Therefore the answer to your question is NO.
• Do you believe Emergency Services such as fire and paramedics to be adequate for the growing communities along the lakeshore?
A few years ago a new Fire Station was built in Ripley. I recall the question being asked, “Why not in Point Clark?” The answer I heard was because they couldn’t get volunteer firemen from Point Clark. Is that true? The answer to your question is NO. The closest firehall is at least 20 minutes away.
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?
Very difficult question to answer. I would need more information about problems with the water. The last thing we need is another Walkerton. Your preamble mentions “continued rapid expansion of the community.” I believe that the infrastructure needed for development must be in place before building permits are issued. If the water supply is at maximum capacity then no new building permits should be issume until after the capacity has been safely expanded.