When it comes to picking a deputy-mayor in Minto, it seems the choice is between change versus experience.
Each candidate came with a different set of issues to a recent all-candidates’ meeting in Harriston, hosted by the Minto Chamber of Commerce.
Terry Fisk
Terry Fisk’s platform is about the need for change.
Fisk said this is an exciting time for the Town of Minto.
“I don’t think there’s been an election with so much interest and involvement. I think there’s a reason for that. The voters feel we need change – and I have to agree with that. I think this community needs change, and we need it now.”
He said he was not going to dwell on his past accomplishments because he believed voters wanted to hear about plans and goals for the upcoming term.
“I think I can provide responsible leadership.”
He cited his involvement in the community and in his profession.
“Leadership is definitely needed to see us through these difficult times.”
He suggested there are numerous problems to be solved.
“I take a common sense approach to solving problems.”
He quipped it did not mean a second coming of Mike Harris “because we have nowhere else to download. But we do need some common sense with some of the issues coming before us.”
Fisk has a major concern about the morale at the town office.
He cited administrative staff changes in the past few years, and consultants being brought in, and a temporary clerk being hired.
He said in order for government to work properly, the elected body and staff need to work together smoothly.
“I don’t think that’s happening right now, and I intend to change that.”
Fair taxation and spending is another of his priorities.
Fisk told tales of individuals who consider taxation as going out of control and who are now leaving the community because of it.
“I think we need to find out how to make it fairer. We may have to look at reducing spending. There are areas where we could be doing a better job.”
Judy Dirksen
Incumbent deputy-mayor Judy Dirksen said, “Minto and its people are important to me. My family roots run deep.”
Dirksen has served on council for the past 13 years, and as deputy-mayor for the past four.
Because of those years of experience, she has been a member of most council committees at one point.
“Over the years I’ve spent a lot of time in volunteering in various aspects of life in Minto. This is another area of my life where teamwork is important. It was actually through volunteering, I first became interested in running for council.”
“We have hundreds of volunteers all over Minto in various program. There are all sorts of things that would not get done if not for them.”
Dirksen explained that local government owns more infrastructure than any other level of government. “It is our job to keep it safe and in good repair for our residents – but it takes money – lots of it.”
She said no one could have predicted the unprecedented funding opportunities from the provincial and federal governments in the past four years.
Because of relationships with those levels of government and dedicated staff, Minto was successful in getting considerable funding over the past term, Dirksen said.
“We completed what were planned as multi-year projects in a shorter time frame to take advantage of this funding,” she said.
She added that those projects have a long useful lifespan so it made sense to borrow some of the money to complete them while the funding was available.
“One focus over the next four years will be paying down that debt, while still keeping Minto in the great shape we have come to expect.”
She said, “One does not have to travel far from Minto to find roads that are in deplorable condition – even roads that are closed because there are bridges needing repair.”
She stressed that borrowing was for projects with a long useful life, and the total net debt will be less at the end of 2010 than it was at the beginning. “We will need to continue working with residents to determine what is most important in Minto.”
