WHITEWATER REGION (Cobden) — The 14 Whitewater Region council candidates who attended Tuesday night’s all-candidates meeting at Whitewater Lake Brewery in Cobden all agree that growth and economic development is vital to the municipality.
However, how to achieve those two things are different for some of them. The meeting was only to discuss those two subjects – growth and economic development.
The candidates who attended the meeting were: mayoral candidates Hal Johnson (incumbent) and Mike Moore; reeve candidate Joe Kowalski; and councillor candidates Donna Burns, Jim Butterworth, John Felix Cull, John Kyle Dupuis, Charlene Jackson (incumbent), Ron Laronde, Daryl McLaughlin (incumbent), Neil Nicholson, Chris Olmstead (incumbent) and Nell Rooney. Absent were reeve candidate Cathy Regier and councillor candidates Allan Lance, Dave Mackay (incumbent) and Don Rathwell.
Each of the candidates were allowed a four-minute opening speech, an opportunity to answer any questions asked, and then concluding with a minute closing speech.
The questions were: how are whitewater paddlers to get out of the Ottawa River without having to pay; when will there be better cell phone service; and how is Muskrat Lake going to be cleaned up.
Councillor candidate Donna Burns said what works in a fish tank, as well as in Holland, should work for Muskrat Lake. Install windmills that will keep the water oxygenated.
Councillor candidate Chris Olmstead said there is no easy solution. However, it’s not just Muskrat Lake that is having a problem, but many lakes in Ontario, including in Renfrew County — Lake Dore, the Petawawa Beach and Little Lakes in Beachburg.
“This problem is bigger than Muskrat Lake,” he said.
The Muskrat Watershed Council is doing as much as it can and has spent thousands of dollars to find a solution — but it won’t be a one or two year fix, Mr. Olmstead stated.
As for access from the Ottawa River, he noted a Recreation Master Plan was recently completed for the township and river access was identified as a problem, he said.
“We are trying to find access,” Mr. Olmstead said.
However, things have to be costed out and as for the timeline, that is not yet known, he added.
Reeve candidate Joe Kowalski also responded to the river access.
“I’m the big, bad guy who charges $12 a day or $60-some for the season,” he said, adding, “I believe in private property. If you own it, you should be free to do with what you want.”
Yes, there is charity, Mr. Kowalski said, but he should be able to “pick and choose who I provide charity to.”
While paddler John Mason was able to speak out against Mr. Kowalski’s hoarding of river access by moderator Wayne Heubner, Sue Kowalski was not given the same privilege when she tried to defend her family and its business by Mr. Heubner. He cut her off, suggesting they meet privately following the meeting.
Councillor candidate Charlene Jackson said the Eastern Ontario Wardens Caucus is working hard to address the problems with cell and internet service.
Mr. Olmstead noted there have been presentations by Rogers to erect a tower in or near Cobden, however, three properties were rejected by surrounding property owners. He opted to provide his building lot on Foresters Falls Road as a place for the tower, which was erected in August.
Information from the opening speeches included:
Mayoral candidate Hal Johnson: Economic development is building homes and attracting more people to the township. Growth is needed so more people share the debt load which reduces tax burden per household.
“We achieve this with good planning, good policies, creating trust and encouraging investment in Whitewater Region.”
It’s important there be expansion of existing businesses and attracting new businesses — which is fueled by growth. New jobs encourage growth, new growth supports more jobs, more residents help keep taxes in check.
It’s also time for Whitewater Region to have its own Official Plan.
Mayoral candidate Mike Moore: To support business development in Whitewater Region means empowering our community in a changing workplace and the need to attract business, market the region, keep taxes low and promote a fun, vibrant community.
“The need to help our residents start their own businesses and provide coaching and mentorship by our own business experts on how to get grants, investment, licensing authorities, market research and federal and provincial partners.”
He also believes the township needs it own official plan.
The internet is transforming the way business is done, and it’s imperative there be suitable infrastructure, sufficient internet and cell service capabilities and that it is affordable.
Whitewater Region is an adrenaline-rush, adventure-type, tourist destination and we need to promote that much more.
“The best way to develop business is to empower business voices. We must empower the Whitewater Business Council to become completely autonomous and independent.”
The township’s website must be user-friendly, more resourceful and be search-engine optimised.
Reeve candidate Joe Kowalski: Whitewater Brewery signifies “everything that is right and everything that is wrong about Renfrew County.” Reviewing the company’s history, he recalled when the owners went to council asking for a letter of support. But, council was hesitant in granting it, because the county planners felt a zoning change was required in that brewing beer was an industrial process. However, that didn’t happen, otherwise, the success story of Whitewater Brewery may never have happened.
“That’s what’s wrong with our county. They look at everything the wrong way.”
While he is in the tourism industry, it’s imperative that residential development occurs. The municipality is an hour’s drive from the nation’s capital – it should be quite easy to convince people to move from the city where it’s expensive to live and move to Whitewater Region.
“We need to make it easy for them to do that.”
And how is that accomplished – by not staying with the status quo. There are people in Renfrew County who are looking at growth and development in the wrong way.
“I am running because I want to make them look at it the right way, so that we have growth and development. This is a dynamic place. I want my kids to stay here. I want, if you have kids, for them to stay here, get jobs. This municipality can be everything we want it to be, but we have to fight the status quo.”
COUNCILLOR CANDIDATES
Donna Burns: there are three very important things for this township: water, agricultural land and forestry. Water is the township’s tourism: rafting, fishing, camp grounds, and even an energy source.
“What you need is your lakes cleaned and as a priority, help your campgrounds. This should have been done years ago.”
It’s imperative to know what legislation is coming into effect. Bill 28 just passed second reading, and this is for alternative land use services for agricultural land.
“These regulations and restrictions coming are hurting our economic development. This is where municipalities need to read this stuff, be aware of it, inform yourselves of all of it, so you can fight for it and stop it.”
There is a round-table discussion on forestry in April, 2019 in Pembroke, and council should be at the table.
It’s imperative council and residents know what is happening, not only in the township, but the province.
“In order to be aware, we need to read regulations and be on top of all the new bills coming in to play and new restrictions and we need to speak out against them.”
Jim Butterworth: it’s important people identify themselves as being from Whitewater Region, not “near the Pembroke area.” The quality of life needs to be increased, as does life expectancy in Whitewater Region.
The mindset of what is happening in this township needs to change, because if you remain in the past, you won’t change for the future.
“The best customer is the one you already have, the best business is the business we already have. When I think about all the businesses in Whitewater Region, I know we live in an incredible place.”
While it’s great other businesses want to move in, it’s important not to forget about the businesses that are here.
“Let’s focus on the businesses we have. Let’s make sure we see you as a person, as a business owner, who is struggling, and we tell you we see you, we are listening to you.”
It’s imperative council see them as a business owner who needs the ability to thrive, with cell towers, internet, roads and collaboration.
This township can compete on the world stage. He recalled the Wright brothers, who “accomplished something from nothing. They had a vision and they believed they could do it.
“So can we.”
John Cull: a mechanic for 37 years and owner of his own business for 21 years, he is concerned about the “extremely bad shape” of mechanical trades. Explaining, he said he is “one of the young guys” when he attends training classes.
When you look around Toronto, you see pavement, blacktop and no trees. So, why is someone from Toronto telling Renfrew County residents what they can and can’t do – since this area certainly does have trees, grass, rocks and birds.
There is a Provincial Policy Statement that someone says the township has to follow while planning.
“It’s a dream some bureaucrat made in some cement ivory tower to reduce the growth in rural Ontario by regulations. But, it’s a statement, not law, not scientific facts or anything else.”
He has no interest in living in a cement house – he wants to live in rural Ontario.
“We need to push back on these regulations because they are not good for us. Nobody wants to damage a turtle, or drive over a turtle, or kill trees – we live here. Anybody I know looks after things. The farmer has land, he looks after his land because that’s his future.”
As for the Official Plan, it restricts development.
John Kyle Dupuis: his story started at Whitewater Brewery when he got a job there, moved up the ranks, and began seeing the beauty in the area.
It’s time to move forward using the township’s strengths. The highway passes through the township, so obviously people see Whitewater, now we just need to get them to live here. While big business development will bring in lots of jobs quickly, that’s not the answer. Housing is the answer, because people need a place to live.
“We need to build more for people who want to live here – playgrounds, parks, development of youth programs, those sorts of things.”
Charlene Jackson: While council has been doing a good job of encouraging business and residential growth in Whitewater Region, it can always do better. She noted Beachburg has “grown exponentially” and that’s because there is no zoning bylaws or official plan.
The Official Plan that is coming into place from Renfrew County, will encompass all of Whitewater Region, and it will not restrict the township any more than if it had its own.
“We would still have provincial authorities and the policy statements that we will have to follow. To spend more money on another official plan, to me, is quite ludicrous.” The official plan can always be amended.
There are economic development meetings held in the township, and there is a committee that is able to sit down with developers and discuss issues and concerns.
It’s also important people refer to Whitewater Region as Whitewater Region, not as Cobden, Beachburg, Westmeath, etc.
“The sooner we get that across to everyone, we’ll put Whitewater Region on the map instead of always being separate.”
Ron Laronde: a business owner who has lived his whole life in Cobden. The growth of Cobden is not happening, while Beachburg is growing.
“We need growth for all the communities or we are all going to be in trouble.”
Whitewater Region is a place for everyone. If a person in the community is suffering, everyone steps up to help.
He also agrees the township needs its own official plan.
Daryl McLaughlin: 15 years of experience on council, “I know the needs and wants of the people.” Growth and development are needed, but it’s imperative council work with the developers to ease the burden, such as not forcing unnecessary studies, such as archeological and geological. Instead of spending money on those studies, spend it on development.
Good reliable cell service is needed along with good infrastructure.
“Development is the key issue in the whole mix. More development means more families, means more kids, which keeps the schools open.”
It’s important council work with the county and that everyone “works together.”
Neil Nicholson: economic development and growth fosters business, job development, investment and economic diversity. Quality of life is also important, as is community sustainability. Growth is short, medium and long-term and there is no quick fix.
There are three things to focus on: understanding marketing and assets; understanding municipal policy; and providing services.
It’s imperative council members “become experts on municipal policy, including the Official Plan.”
Zoning bylaws are complex and need to be understood. “We need to seek input from everyone, residents, business owners, farmers, to help us understand them.”
Services are needed to be attractive to new people.
“We need to make true investments in road, water and sewer; we need to fight for high speed internet and cell phone service for the whole region. We need shorter school bus rides for our kids.”
There needs to be access to health services, such as first responders. There must be healthy, active communities with solid infrastructure to contribute to the success of any development plan.
Chris Olmstead: he has a vested interest in Whitewater Region – not only does his family live here, but his business employs 22 people. It is not township’s role to create jobs, but it is the township’s role to “create the best, possible conditions to ensure the success of current establishments and attract new business.”
More ways of fostering a productive environment must be sought. Red tape and costly processes for growth and development must be abolished, or at least help the entrepreneurs assist in cutting the red tape.
Growth and development helps ease the tax burden on everyone while helping to keep vital resources and utilities open. Communities must improve and there must be smart, sustainable economic development to ensure schools stay open, churches remain open, arenas, parks, halls and librarians remain viable.
There are many areas to grow, such as in Westmeath, LaPasse, Haley Station and Foresters Falls. “There are big opportunities in subdivisions in Beachburg and Cobden and potential large-scale development on Kerr Line.”
Area events must continue to be supported.
While he has been criticized for bringing in StreetStrut and the Whitewater Kings, this event and this team, have brought thousands of people into the township.
“It is up to us to support each other, to buy and support local. Our food money, our coffee money, our fuel money, our entertainment money, and yes, our beer money, must be spent closest to where we live.”
Nell Rooney: a gas station owner/operator for 46 years, she knows how to maintain financial stability and provide quality service to customers.
It’s imperative that Muskrat Lake be cleaned up to make tourists, cottagers and campground owners happy. Public parks must be maintained and subdivisions that have been planned need to get underway.
Why are residential and commercial utility bills the same? Why are ratepayers not notified about major expenditures before they happen? Residents should receive “good, quality service from the municipality” and the township should “spend only what it can afford.”
Residents should be able to voice their thoughts and opinions with no limited restrictions placed on them.
“It’s time for change. It’s time for council to act for the people. It’s time to control wasteful spending of public tax dollars.
“I understand what it takes to keep a business going.”
It’s unfortunate, but with no knowledge of financial information regarding the township, she is not able to talk about planning economic development.
“Ask me when I’m elected to council.”
The candidates also had a minute to give a closing statement prior to having an opportunity to meet one-on-one with those at the event.
