Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff or services?
Yes. We need to look at the whole municipality from top to bottom starting at the top. I believe that we as council, have to look at everything at budget time beginning with cost analysis study inside city hall and go from there.
Would you support an OPP costing study?
Yes. As long as it doesn’t cost us anything, lets keep our options open.
Would you support examining a volunteer-only fire service if the provincial arbitration system isn’t overhauled?
Yes, as far as examining, I am in favor of open discussions about cost savings. The taxpayers of Chatham Kent own the equipment and it should be at the disposal anytime when needed.
Do you believe we should continue our ongoing efforts to attract economic investment from China?
No. I believe that we should be more involved and proactively helping our local businesses in the community. Definitely focus should be put towards agriculture. There are also many opportunities here in our own country/province that we can examine further.
Would you support contracting municipal services to the private sector if those services can be delivered more efficiently?
Yes. In any business it only makes sense to find the most efficient way to maintain or decrease your budget. This being said, if these contractors are to be used then we should make sure we are getting our monies worth before signing off on this. Comparing apples to apples.
Would you support investigating amalgamation of fire/ambulance/police services to reduce costs?
Yes. I say yes to this only if this could be done without any loss of services and it could be organized properly so the public does not suffer because of it
Would you support a municipal tree-cutting bylaw if it contained incentives for woodlot owners to retain/increase tree cover?
Yes. People should have the right to do what they want to do with their own property, but cutting down all the trees in CK isn’t the answer either. If we can come up with a suitable solution for both sides, such as one tree gets cut down another planted with these trees coming from MNR or LTVCA.
Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner such as London and Windsor have added?
Yes. I believe we need a part time one to keep everyone honest. Here is a quote from London’s Metro Newspaper regarding the costing of this position. “In addition, a local lawyer who acts as the integrity commissioner for three Ontario communities has stated on the record that a realistic figure for the cost is in the range of $20,000 annually.”
Would you consider developing a usage benchmark for municipal offices, arena and libraries and closing those that don’t meet the standards?
No. I fear that many of the smaller communities wouldn’t meet the criteria. We should possibly be looking at combining these under one roof like Erieau did with the fire hall and the library, which leads to savings in the long haul.
Do you support development of a community-wide multipurpose recreation centre?
Yes. This centre should be put in a strategic location suitable for all facility users.
Do you support an adopt-a-park program in which service or volunteer groups assume some maintenance (grass cutting) of some municipal facilities?
No. The volunteer groups have a hard time as it is now trying to get people together for fundraising let alone worrying about maintaining parks and the liabilities issues that arise from this also.
Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of municipal councilors?
I would support a realignment of the wards and redistribution of the council members and if that means cuts then that’s what it means.
