CONTACT INFORMATION
65 Blairs Trail
Lurgan Beach, ON
Phone: 519-395-4941
Email: cedarcroftcottage@gmail.com
QUESTION (1)
• Why should we vote for you?
Our family has maintained a full-time residence in Blairs Grove for 16 years although I have been here seasonally in Emmerton Beach all my life. I am retired from the municipal sector with 35 years’ experience in senior local government administration. In addition, I recently completed a ten-year term on the South Bruce Grey Health Centre Board of Directors including time as Board Chair. Currently I participate in two advisory committees with the Electrical Safety Authority of Ontario, am a member of the Huron Kinloss Property Standards Committee and a former member of the Township’s Nuclear Waste Community Advisory Committee. I also undertake contract work with both Elections Ontario and Elections Canada in the GTA. I believe I can utilize my administrative and governance experience to continue the work previous Council’s have undertaken and provide the perspective of a lakeshore resident to assist the incoming new Mayor and the elected Council as policy directions are formed and implemented this term.
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?
One of the important items Council will address this term is the completion of the Parks and Recreation Master Plan. In my view active transportation improvements should form a very important part of the recommendations contained in that document. Successful communities work diligently on connecting neighbourhoods and improving all forms of non-vehicular modes of transportation. So the short answer is, yes, the Township should seek to create and improve trail systems in Point Clark and improve connectivity generally along the lakeshore. In terms of a bridge, the examination of the cost and practicality of a structure focused on pedestrians/bicycles (only) would certainly be supported.
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?
As someone who led the municipal department that was responsible for the transition of a community from a complaint-based bylaw enforcement system to a proactive one, I don’t believe we are at the point where that is necessary here. Having said that there is, in my view, room to move the current system forward through providing staff more effective tools in responding to complaints, ensuring that there is fairness and equity in how individual complaints are managed, making staff resources available to respond in a timely way when complaints are filed (ie weekends and holidays) and recognizing that where there are trends with similar complaints occurring here and in our neighbouring municipality that a consistent approach to regulation is needed based on our unique geography.
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?
One of my motivations for seeking a council seat is my perspective that the voice of the lakeshore resident, from which the majority of the tax revenue is derived, is lacking currently. I would approach all the issues that would come to the table with wearing that hat. In terms of emergency services specifically there are many factors that are taken into consideration in determining the level of service provided. Each incremental step up, while critical in terms of community safety is also very expensive. We have been growing at a steady rate for a number of years and I would fully support undertaking a professional assessment of both fire and ambulance services to ensure that we are protected to the full extent we can be.
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 quality of drinking water in Ontario is the heavily regulated. I have read the HK drinking water quality reports that are submitted regularly to Council. There is nothing I have personally seen that would indicate any current concern about the quality of the water we drink. As the system grows and ages over time there is more pressure placed on it to deliver adequately. As a municipality, a capital plan to quantify the cost of system improvements needed by growth is required with a strategy to ensure that new development will pay for those improvements. The general taxpayer should not be paying for upgrades or expansions to accommodate new residents or industry. However, all system users should be paying their fair share of replacement of components as they age to ensure we do have safe, clean drinking water over the long term.