CONTACT INFORMATION
182 Bruce County Rd 1, RR 5
Lucknow, ON N0G 2H0
Phone: 519-812-1004
Email: mcguganed@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?
Ed McGugan – Candidate for re-election as Township Councillor Representation.
My first job out of college was in the engineering department of a company that manufactured grain harvesting equipment. And everyone in Engineering was out operating and repairing the equipment and working with the farmers every harvesting season. That is where I learned to make specific, direct contact with our customers and I have continued to do that throughout my career. I retired two years ago from my last position as the Technical Manager at a large building manufacturer where I oversaw the many and varied technical aspects of the company including also daily contact with our dealers and customers. And I have carried that hands-on customer service approach into these past four years on H-K Council where I have worked hard to be available to the public and listen and respond so that the ratepayers and residents have the representation they deserve.
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 favour of investigating a bridge between the Point Clark and Lurgan Beach communities?
Our mobility is a very valuable and appreciated part of our society. And it is great to see people out walking and getting outside. That is a big part of the draw for many people to the Lakeshore area.
Bruce County has initiated a transportation study for the County and I have been privileged to contribute to that study as a Board member for Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit (SMART) as well as the Chair of the Bruce County Accessibility Advisory Committee. It is clear that we need to continue that work and zoom in to a more detailed view specifically to ensure the Council and Staff of H-K have a good understanding of the overall transportation needs in the Lakeshore area and the Township as a whole. Then, we will all (Council, Staff and Residents) need to figure out if there is a way to make the recommended improvements happen in a financially responsible manner.
QUESTION (3)
Bylaw 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?
Well, we can certainly move to an overall compliance model for by-law enforcement instead of the current “complaint driven” model. That however would require considerably more staff especially if weekend coverage is required. And I am hearing from the ratepayers as well as some of the other candidates that our taxes are high enough and that those property taxes should be reduced if anything. Reducing or even maintaining tax levels in this current inflationary economic environment is going to be more than a challenge if the staffing levels are raised to provide an increased level of service. My suggestion is that we carefully examine an incremental increase in the level of by-law enforcement. Specifically to add weekend coverage while also taking an educational approach to informing and educating the public so that we can reduce the issues that arise. Improving efficiency, thus saving everyone the aggravation and the money.
In this regard, the Huron-Kinloss Council and Staff have been working hard at improving our efficiencies of operation. Two examples among many are our investment of time into the outside funded Municipal Innovation Council (MIC) and our move to a fully electronic building permit system, thus saving a lot of paper and staff time.
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?
My understanding is that a tax base analysis has not been done in 20 years so it is probably time for a refreshed analysis. The township has spent a very significant amount of money repairing and strengthening the harbour at Point Clark. Money is also spent on beach cleaning contracts. Maintaining and operating the Point Clark Community Centre, various walking trails and parks. Quite a bit of money is being spent as we speak on upgrading the museum at the Point Clark Lighthouse and we have just awarded the contract to clean and refurbish the Point Clark water standpipe. We are also studying, with resident input, the challenges that have arisen in regard to the traffic of all kinds on Boiler Beach Road. Issues and priorities important to the Lakeshore area are always on the Agendas for Council meetings. Huron-Kinloss was originally envisioned as a township with all the Council members elected “at large” so that all the residents of the township are fairly represented. And in my experience, all members of Council have strived to fairly represent all the people in the township including the Lakeshore residents. Many of whom are also inland landowners.
● Do you believe Emergency Services such as fire and paramedics to be adequate for the growing communities along the lakeshore?
We can and should certainly look at our fire and emergency service coverage at the Lakeshore. We should analyse the applicable provincial and NFPA regulations and guidelines that we are obligated to adhere to. If the analysis indicates we have a shortfall in the standards for the Lakeshore then yes, we would need to examine improving the services along with the financial means to fund those improvements.
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?
The drinking water systems are highly regulated by the provincial government and Huron-Kinloss contracts with Veolia Water Services which is a very large and professional water services company to ensure that our shared potable water services are top-notch. It is a significant expense and the Staff and Council invest a lot of time to review the reports and ensure that everything is done properly. This is, and will need to continue to be a high priority as it is a critical service. Another related high priority is the septic system inspection program that is fairly unique to Huron-Kinloss. Because so many of the homes in the township are on septic systems, the inspection program provides an increased level of assurance that sewage from homes is not contaminating our drinking water and/or our shared beaches.