Would you support a tax freeze or rollback if it meant reduced staff or services?
No – Over the last 14 years, Council has held tax increases to at or near inflation rates. We have cut services and discretionary staffing levels. Council faces each year a choice between lower taxes and fewer services and I think that the 2006 and 2010 Councils have done a balanced job.
Would you support an OPP costing study?
Yes, even though costing studies in other communities have not shown an efficient way forward to reduce our tax burden for emergency services. We have a very effective and efficient police service. An OPP service would cost more than we are presently paying.
Would you support examining a volunteer-only fire service if the provincial arbitration system isn’t overhauled?
Yes, but until the province gives us the authority to do this, it is not going to happen.
Do you believe we should continue our ongoing efforts to attract economic investment from China?
Yes, and every other growing economy in the world where we have a chance to attract investment. Investment by North American businesses are going overseas and have been going overseas for a number of years, because that is where they can make a return on their investment. Their shareholders demand this.
Would you support contracting municipal services to the private sector if those services can be delivered more efficiently?
Yes, where and when we can. Labour law does not allow us to do this unilaterally but through negotiations we can improve service to the public in the core service areas that are important to the public. Our core service review, which is ongoing, is trying to do just that.
Would you support investigating amalgamation of fire/ambulance/police services to reduce costs?
Yes. Again labour law will determine how much success we can have in this area.
Would you support a municipal tree-cutting bylaw if it contained incentives for woodlot owners to retain/increase tree cover?
Yes. I introduced this to council and we were one vote short of implementation. It is an issue that the new council needs to debate. We can hope that the new greening strategy is successful, but if it isn’t, we need to be prepared to act to protect the environment and our future.
Do you believe we need a municipal ombudsman or ethics commissioner such as London and Windsor have added?
Yes. Both of these measures represent a positive check on municipal authority.
Would you consider developing a usage benchmark for municipal offices, arena and libraries and closing those that don’t meet the standards?
No. Small communities need their connection to government. We need to invent ways in which we can devolve and decentralize government to drive the work of government back out into the communities we serve.
Do you support development of a community-wide multipurpose recreation centre?
No. Chatham-Kent is not a community. It is a region. Each community deserves its own recreation, culture and social amenities. Chatham-Kent is too diverse and too geographically dispersed to be served by one facility.
Do you support an adopt-a-park program in which service or volunteer groups assume some maintenance (grass cutting) of some municipal facilities?
Yes. This has worked in the past and can work in the future. Again, labour law will determine how successful we can be in this area.
Do you support investigating a reduction in the number of municipal councilors?
Yes. Chatham-Kent Council is too large to be effective. We would have to create meaningful and responsible local community councils to deal with truly local issues.
