WHITEWATER NEWS QUESTIONS
1. The reason I entered Municipal politics has not changed since I was first elected. I want our region to progress and prosper for my family and yours. I am now an experienced member at the council table and I am familiar with the concerns that face our region. I have worked hard in the past and want to continue to work just as hard for the residents of our region.
2. A councillor’s role is to bring a balanced and fair approach to the issues that are brought before council. We are now part of a large, diverse area and if the voters put you at the council table they expect you to pass good and fair by-laws. Municipalities are expected to be in compliance with government guidelines which can be costly. Decisions must be made not just for the present but for the future.
3. I have been an active community member. I have been on the Board of Managers of our local church, a steward of our local church and president of our local recreation association. I am a member of the Cobden and District Civitan Club where I have held the positions of Director, President and Past-President.
4. I bring to the Council table 11 years of experience in municipal politics. Every term has been a learning experience for me. I have been Chair of Recreation for four years as well as Chair of Environmental Services for four years. I can handle responsibilities given to me and I am comfortable working as a team member at the council table. I have always been approachable to anyone who needed to speak to me on any concern.
5. If we want our region to thrive we must be proactive in growth and development. The more businesses we attract the better for the region’s future. We must be prepared to provide adequate levels of infrastructure such as roads. Good, high speed internet is now a necessity for attracting businesses or expanding existing businesses. We must balance growth and development with environmental stewardship. I believe we must support programs such as the Muskrat Watershed Council with their efforts to improve water quality. We must always be protective of the health of our assets such as Muskrat Lake and, of course, the Ottawa River. Continuing curbside pick-up, recycling and safe disposal of hazardous waste are all part of the steps we must take. You cannot be pro-growth and development without being pro-family. When Whitewater Region thrives families within the region thrive.
7: Road repair is an ongoing issue in our Region. Funding is not available so we must provide preventative maintenance especially on roads still in decent shape. By applying one layer of tar and chip on a road in need of minor repair, the road life can be extended by 8-10 years. Spending this money now will save on major road construction. These savings will allow us to re-surface those roads that were taken back to gravel as it was too costly to maintain as a hard surfaced road as cold patch is expensive and not meant to be a permanent solution.
10. Agriculture is a backbone industry. Like all businesses, agriculture is changing in order to survive. This industry has available to them numerous government funded programs. There is a strong push for using locally grown and manufactured produce, specialty produce and organics. They too, need access to high speed internet for this industry to promote itself and we must continue to push to make it available.
11. It is difficult for residents who have lived for a long time within the boundaries of a former township to now think of us as one region. By dissolving the ward system we are asking everyone to look at the municipality as a whole. We have gone from being big fish in a small pond to small fish in a big pond. Perhaps some residents are concerned their needs will now not be heard. It does not matter where I live within the region, as a councillor sitting at the council table I must prove to the residents that I represent every inch of the pond and every fish. I believe that if the residents see this attitude at the council table it will help to make us one region.
12. When funding is an issue roads suffer. We must assess the poorest roads and determine if constant patching is cost efficient. It is at best a short term solution. For some roads the conditions may be so poor that it would be an option to return them to gravel. If funding becomes available we could then reassess the matter.
14. I support the Muskrat Lake Watershed Council and its work towards addressing the water quality in Muskrat Lake. It is a valuable asset in our area and we must work with the Watershed Council towards taking the necessary steps to improving water quality. Council members can help by attending municipal conferences. These conferences provide attendees an opportunity to interact with representatives from other municipalities and a chance to learn about programs that are available and may be adapted to work in the Whitewater Region. At these conferences representatives seek meetings with different Ministers and lobby for support and funding for these programs.
16. Any opportunities for adventure recreation should be encouraged especially if it could be year round or if access to another area such as Quebec could be easily achieved. I would like to see groups or clubs, such as snowmobile clubs, look at what is available and how they could use what is there. Council should be prepared to lobby the government for any funding available to expand or create tourism/adventure recreation opportunities for this region.
19. I would like the people of the Whitewater Region to know that I have always represented them at the council table to the best of my ability. I feel I have taken a balanced and common sense approach to any issue that has come before council. I know we have a region with diverse needs and concerns and I am mindful that you may not always please everyone. I strongly feel that when we make our decisions what we do for one we must be prepared to do for the next. I want the Whitewater Region to have a healthy and strong future and I would be honoured to be a small part of that.
