The council candidates for Whitewater Region Township had two minutes to address the almost 300 people at the all candidates meeting in Westmeath last week.
DONALD BROOME
To begin with, the next four years are going to usher in the biggest challenges in our history, said Donald E. Broome. Although he does not make a habit of telling others “I told you so,” the fact is he began warning people 14 years ago about what would happen after amalgamation and it’s all here today “exactly the opposite of what it was promised to be.”
Mr. Broome said now that the takeover phase of this agenda is underway, he would like to be a part of the new council team whose task it will be to guide this region through the difficulties ahead. His election promise to everyone is, “I am resolved to working as a team player with the new council in a mutually respectful manner in order to more effectively deal with whatever challenges the team may be called upon to overcome on your behalf.”
From his perspective, the role of every representative, regardless of rank, is to serve their constituents humbly, competently and equally, and if elected that’s what he will do!
Mr. Broome has helped the community in various ways the last four years. In 2011, he published his nine-week “Smelt gate” series in area papers. He also delivered a Muskrat Lake issues address to council, which set in motion official efforts to restore the lake.
He also spoke to council and opposed the Ottawa River Heritage Designation, which led to the council rescinding its prior approval for that designation. He has also routinely published letters in the press exposing the Provincial Ministry of Natural Resources and Ministry of Environment property control agenda; spoke about the Endangered Species Act abuses by the MNR, the activities of unelected municipal officials and assisted everyone who came to him with a problem and asked for his help, as he always does.
DONNA BURNS
People want change, said Donna Burns. She said this township, which is a corporation, has its letters patent from the province, just as every other municipality does.
“That gives each municipality the ability to work independently of each other, the county and even the province,” Ms. Burns said.
That is achievable if the legislation is read and followed, she said.
“I have spent hundreds of hours reading the legislation over the last three to four years,” Ms. Burns said. “I understand it. I’ve addressed some of my concerns to council over the official plan. I feel it’s a bad buy off and it’s bringing more regulation and more restriction to us. It’s not going to bring growth and development, it’s going to hinder it.”
Ms. Burns believes the Provincial Policy Statement, which came into effect this past April, will be more restrictive to people’s properties.
She is hopeful a strong council will work together to understand legislation and work independently of everybody else.
“We can do it as an independent corporation,” Ms. Burns said. “We can build, we can grow from our building, we can develop and bring industry here. And that’s what we want isn’t it? We’ve got a big crowd here. We want change don’t we?”
JOHN FELIX CULL
“I’m serious about wanting to work for you,” said John Felix Cull. “I believe in standing up for people no matter how small or large the problem.”
He believes unnecessary expenditures must be stopped and using that money on more necessary things like roads, water, housing and more business.
There are qualified people within the township who, if willing, could join the council’s committees and provide input on problems and solutions, instead of paying huge dollars to consultants, he said.
Residential growth will solve many of the township problems because new families will move here and keep the school systems alive, he said. And, with residential growth comes business growth, he added.
“As Ottawa keeps moving our way we need to have housing available to attract new people,” Mr. Cull said. “We need more people to keep our arenas busy and other services viable.”
New businesses will create jobs for area youth, which means they can remain living in Whitewater Region, Mr. Cull said. Tourism is important to the region, and if area parks, such as Cobden Park, are looked after, they will add to the township’s economy.
“Whitewater has a diverse population and when the economy tightens, the population has to work together to create cost-saving measures to stay alive,” Mr. Cull said. “The council needs new ideas and be open to sharing their ideas with the public. With today’s technology, the region can open the meetings to the internet so that working people can see what’s being discussed and let them give their input. This will also show the public what council is doing for them.”
Mr. Cull has been serving the Whitewater community for more than 34 years in many different facets, including business and volunteer work.
INCUMBENT COUNCILLOR ALLEN DICK
As a hopeful re-elected councillor, Allen Dick looks forward to the next four years dealing with five areas he believes are very important to Whitewater Region. Those areas are controlling tax dollars; encouraging growth and development; infrastructure; roads and streets; water and sewer.
Concerns are the shortfall in funding from the provincial government have been brutal the last four years, the Provincial Policy Statement, rural residential development, concentrating development in settlements; environmental studies with no negative impact and the Endangered Species Act.
Coun. Dick said, “My objectives are to work to have our own policy statement for rural Ontario. I’d love to see that happen.”
He would also like to keep growing the Beachburg subdivision, advance the industrial park and the BEI subdivision in Cobden. He believes growth should increase 10 to 12 per cent each year.
“We must look for ways to tighten and strengthen ourselves financially and we must have a request and applications for funding in place so we can get the deal with the appropriate ministry with Whitewater moving forward,” Coun. Dick said.
CHARLENE JACKSON
Charlene Jackson has 19 years of municipal finance experience and knows that will help her if elected. She began her career in the former Ross Township and then Whitewater Region, then it was off Renfrew, Arnprior and now Laurentian Valley, where she has been treasurer for the last three years.
“I will bring to the table municipal finance experience, knowledge of all departments and how they function through roads, water, sewer, recreation, fire and of course finance and administration,” Ms. Jackson said.
She has drafted policies in all the municipalities she has worked for.
“As a municipal treasurer I will bring fairness to all the residents in the Township of Whitewater Region and I’m not swayed by area or individuals in making decisions,” she said. “I see the potential of our community and what it could be and I am committed to making sure our tax dollars are spent wisely.”
Over the next four years there will be a number of issues council will need to make that affect each and every one of the residents in the township, Ms. Jackson said. She has heard about the same issues regarding this council over the past four years: accountability, road maintenance, road construction, Muskrat Lake rejuvenation and the concerns of residents to make sure other bodies of water remain clean, economic development, recreation, and so on.
JOE KOWALSKI
Joe Kowalski is an entrepreneur and a businessman, not a politician. But, that could change if the people vote him in on Oct. 27.
“I start businesses,” he said. “I hire people. I have wild and crazy ideas and I want to bring them to fruition. But what’s happened is that I’ve noticed in the last dozen years is, the greatest province in this country has gone down the tubes
“It is tragic what has happened to Ontario and the people who have made those mistakes in Toronto want to foist those same ideas on us in rural Ontario,” Mr. Kowalski said.
He believes there is a war between urban and rural Ontario.
“I decided to actually put my name up on the ballot primarily so I can speak to you tonight to tell you what the real issue is. The reality real is, is that it’s almost impossible to do business in this province. I spend, I would say, 30 to 40 per cent of my time fighting government at every level.”
Mr. Kowalski is getting near the end of his career, and he is hoping his children, who are in their twenties, will carry on his business, even though it’s difficult to do.
“We need a change and I think the fact that there are so many people at this table and so many here, that we have to really fight the provincial government,” he said.
“If I get on council, what I want to do is actually fight,” Mr. Kowalski said. “I don’t want status quo. I don’t want these non-sensical rules and regulations being foisted on rural Ontario. It seems like the people in the urban areas don’t want us living and working in rural Ontario. They think we spoil it and I don’t believe that.”
DAVE MACKAY
Dave Mackay has lived in the area for 40 years, raised his family here, farmed here and now wants to be a councillor for the township.
He believes his seven years as president of the Renfrew County National Famers Union has given him the knowledge and know-how to work with provincial, federal and municipal governments.
“I learned how to lobby for people on the farms,” he said.
Mr. Mackay has been on the Beachburg Fair Board and recalled that back when he joined, there was no money. However, the members pulled together and worked hard. Over the years they had three new buildings constructed, fixed the infrastructure and saw fair attendance increase to almost 10,000 from 4,500.
“Everything I learned about working with government, wither it be provincial, federal or municipal, is that everything moves incrementally,” Mr. Mackay said.
He recalled in 1982 when he was working on a drill ship in the high Arctic. If an ice berg comes within one mile of the ship, they have to pull off the drill head and move off the well. It then takes about 20 hours to hook it back up at a cost of $50,000 an hour. One morning, a 1.3 million ton ice berg was coming towards the ship. Two tug boats were sent out and they attached lines to the berg and pulled it off one degree, which allowed the ship to pass by.
“If I can change the culture of the township by one degree, I’ll have done something,” Mr. Mackay said.
DARYL MCLAUGHLIN
Incumbent Councillor Daryl McLaughlin was born and raised on the Queens Line in the former Township of Ross. He graduated from Opeongo High School, completed two years of business diploma at Algonquin College and retired in 2008 from Atomic Energy of Canada after 32 years of service. He currently resides on the Kerr Line with his wife Debbi and daughters Emily and Erin.
He was first elected as Ward 3 councillor and feels in the last 11 years he has represented all residents within the township, not just his ward.
“I’ve learned a lot in 11 years and will bring that experience to the council table as well as a fair and balanced approach,” Coun. McLaughlin said. “During my time on council I’ve pushed to have the heritage designation lifted from Ottawa River.
“With this valuable asset in our backyard there is development possible, however, we must be good stewards of this valuable asset. We must support the Muskrat Lake Watershed Council in its work towards the water quality of the lake.”
Coun. McLaughlin believes council must be proactive in growth and development. Not only must it offer good infrastructure, it must also offer fast, reliable and affordable Internet service. He believes this is now underway with the fibre optic cable installation.
“In my opinion, the toughest problem that this new council will face in future is to keep decent and affordable roads with declining grants coming from the provincial government,” he said.
CHRIS OLMSTEAD
Chris Olmstead’s memory of his first goal at the Westmeath Arena is bittersweet. He remembers scoring, but his dad said it didn’t happen. The ref blew the whistle and there was no goal.
He remembers watching the Laurentian League play hockey at the Westmeath arena every week with teams from Westmeath, LaPasse, Beachburg and Ross Township, with families made up of Bertrands, Watsons, Ethiers and Gervais, all at war on the ice.
“When people ask about amalgamation, they need to understand the history,” Mr. Olmstead said.
He was born and raised near Foresters Falls. His parents are Murray and Gwen and he has three older brothers, Rick, Billy and Randy. He has been married to Nicola for 21 years and they have three children. His careers have included working for Nabisco, Kraft Food and Giant Tiger. He started and sold two real estate companies. He basically wanted to retire by the age of 45 – and he has done that.
“This surprises many people, but anything is possible when you have a strategy,” he said. “I believe the most important pillar to lead Whitewater in the future is to improve planning.”
There are others, including recreation, agriculture and growth. However, all need a solid plan, he stated.
“Do not be misled by people using past issues as a platform tonight,” Mr. Olmstead said. “The fact of the matter is we will always have so-called issues. We must change our thinking from issues to opportunities and ways to improve our lifestyle in Whitewater.”
When people ask why is he running, he questions them, “If not me, who? If not now, when?
“I don’t want someone handling my money who can’t handle their own,” he said.
Mr. Olmstead added, “Now is when I have the time, energy and resources needed to represent you. Now is the time I want to ensure my children can live, work and play in this community and in the future. Now, when I feel I am at the top of my game, not 15 or 20 years from now.
“Please vote for a person you can trust with your future, your children’s future and your wallet,” Mr. Olmstead said.
INCUMBENT COUNCILLOR CATHY REGIER
“What an exciting time for Whitewater Region,” incumbent Councillor Cathy Regier said. “For the first time since amalgamation you can exercise your democratic right and vote for the candidate who would best represents you despite geographic.”
She said, “My inaugural term has been a learning curve of listening and absorbing from my veteran councillors. With so many policies, procedures and regulations to learn, I have patiently put in the hard work and have built my confidence level to a place where I can now ascertain I can make a difference.”
Coun. Regier continued, “I will continue to promote our township as a complete entity, realizing at present, each hamlet, village town and rural community plays an integral part. This may take years, but I’m confident working together and showing fairness and transparency to all, it can be achieved.”
Coun. Regier said she is learning how uninformed ratepayers are about the role of elected officials and how the decisions they make touch their daily lives, which includes recreation, roads, water and sewer, fire services, policing, library and waste management.
“I believe communication and education is a good start to an informed public,” she said. “I will continue to listen and bring forth the concerns of you the ratepayer and work intently to keep taxes as low as possible without giving up the integrity of our existing infrastructure and future development.”
Coun. Regier says there are three types of people who seek the position of an elected official. One has a personal agenda he or she has a cause they hope to attain while another may want to supplement their income and achieve financial gain.
“Individual three is a person like myself who just wants to make a difference by working hard for the betterment of our municipality,” Coun. Regier said. “I work live and play in Whitewater Region and my only agenda is to somehow make some small contribution that makes our municipality a great place to live so we can all continue to thrive and grow together.”
HOWARD WINTERS
“I am here tonight to ask for your support,” said Howard Winters. “Whitewater Region is a corporation that collects $8 million of your hard earned tax dollars every single year. This corporation is owned by all of you.”
Mr. Winters said the council you select is your representative and are tasked to set the direction and guide this corporation entirely for your benefit. This is serious business and the very best talent must be chosen, he added.
“I strongly believe that elected representatives should conduct themselves using four key principles,” he said.
The first is accountability. If elected he will actively seek residents input, feedback, suggestions and criticisms so he can do the best job possible of representing the people at the council table.
Accessibility is the second. If elected Mr. Winters will actively embrace all avenues to hear and listen to the voice of the Whitewater Region constituents. He will actively seek the voice of every resident in every corner of Whitewater Region, knowing that no voice is too big or small.
Stewardship is the third principle. If elected, he will undertake whatever work and research is needed to fully understand the implications of any proposed actions before making any commitments. He will always remember who he works for and will push back on any initiatives that comes from municipal staff, the province or the county that don’t make sense for the taxpayer.
The final principle is transparency. If elected, Mr. Winters will lobby to implement digital recording of all council meetings and have them immediately placed on the Whitewater Region website so residents can view it in the comfort of their own homes.
“If I’m elected to serve you, these are the four principles I’ll use to guide me,” Mr. Winters said.
