CONTACT INFORMATION:
249 Lake Range Drive
Kincardine, ON N2Z 2X3
Phone: 519-955-0813
Email: sflett@hurontel.on.ca
1. Why should we vote for you?
While I may not have previous experience in Municipal government, or corporate business, I do have many years of volunteer background. Community betterment activities that I participated in included Lucknow Kinettes, Lucknow Strawberry Summerfest, Minor Hockey, Girl Guides and Scouts Canada. I see myself providing input to council from the perspective of home owner, family member, local employee and previous self-employed business owner. I am a strong believer in elected representatives being the voice of the people that voted for them. There are far more qualified people in our community than myself, but life gets in the way and few people have the necessary time to devote to serving their community. There are many experienced, educated people to tap into. They need a voice to represent them, I would work hard to be that voice.
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?
Yes, I would like to see more trails as well as sidewalks, such as the one that runs along Lake range Drive between the 2nd and the 4rth. I have had many near misses myself, while out jogging or while walking with my grandchildren. One of the benefits to living in a rural area is trails through bush areas, I definitely would like to see more of them. Roller blades have come back too! Anything to promote outside activity and exercise is a good idea.
• Would you be in favour of investigating a bridge between the Point Clark and Lurgan Beach communities?
I think that if a bridge was there, I myself would use it. A system big enough for cars might create more traffic than people would like, but a foot bridge would be great. I would definitely be in favour of investigating the possibility, whether it would be allowed from a conservation perspective is another story. It certainly wouldn’t hurt to investigate it.
3. The 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?
I could see this being a topic where some people would want more help from the bylaw officer and others would be very much up in arms over too much “interference”. If there are areas of concern consistently, such as particular properties being impacted by say cars parked in the way, then extra support should be considered. To have a bylaw officer wandering around trying to find people to fine, just for the sake of it, a lot of push back would be certain to happen. An “as needed” approach based on specific requirements could be considered.
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? No, not particularly. Waterfront properties are taxed heavily, yet don’t seem to get any extra benefit. The community along the lakeshore is as big as Lucknow and Ripley combined.
• Do you believe Emergency Services such as fire and paramedics to be adequate for the growing communities along the lakeshore?
Both Ripley and Lucknow have firehalls and large community centers. We have an aging population, services to support them are needed, especially with the winters that we get. With the rising cost of care homes, people are trying to stay in their homes as long as possible. There are also more year-round residents along the shoreline than ever. Another fact to be considered is that our hospitals suffer from staffing shortages and some have been closing emergency departments on weekends. At minimum, a paramedic service or nurse practitioner service close by is needed.
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 drinking water?
There is always room for innovation and improvement. Non-potable water sources could be promoted to reduce the pressure on the treated water supply. Water collection systems are an alternate source of water for use on lawns, gardens and vehicles. A local business has a system such as this for their toilets and sinks. There are many places in the world that suffer from lack of water that have found creative ways to deal with it, a little research would go a long way.
Thank you for reaching out with your questions. I would like to point out that I believe that my role would be to represent the Township residents’ concerns to council, as opposed to presenting just my own opinions. I am well aware that our area is home to a great number of very well educated and talented people. We have a subject matter expert for any concern that we can think of, I feel that hearing what they have to say will be of utmost importance. I have faith that in our communities we have people that are more than able to fix any problems that come our way.