Some of the 70-plus residents at the Guelph-Eramosa all candidates debate at the Rockmosa community centre last week may have found themselves experiencing a mild case of deja vu.
Attendance at the Sept. 29 meeting was far below expectations, but those who attended the much-busier election debates in 2006 would have recognized a lot of the material presented by certain candidates last week.
For example, past councillor Teressa Gibson Smye and former mayor Clint Martin took aim at the record of mayoral candidate Chris White, as well as other current councillors and township staff members.
“[The township has] been sued several times in the past two or three years,” Martin charged. “I don’t know why that’s allowed to happen.”
Alluding to White, Martin added, “I guess he’s not following the rules.”
He then said the township is overstaffed and the CAO wants to spend millions on an office expansion to house the growing list of municipal personnel.
He also noted council has been “dysfunctional” over the last four years, “And I blame that on the lack of leadership, knowledge and the willingness to put the time in that’s required.”
Gibson Smye, who is running again in Ward 3, again attacked White for his expenses as a councillor which, when combined with his regular pay, rose 30% last year. She suggested posting all expenses on the township website.
Noting she is concerned with escalating taxes and spending, Gibson Smye then turned her attention to township staff. She wants to get rid of the chief administrative officer position, which she said represents 9% of the administration budget and over 3% of the total township budget.
White did not respond to the allegations from Gibson Smye and Martin, instead focusing on the achievements of the current council over the last four years.
With annual budgets that were close to or at the rate of inflation, the township was able to complete many road and bridge projects, in addition to building the new recreational facility in Marden, a new medical building in Rockwood and improving safety at the Rockwood school, White said. He said the township has taken over water and sewer services and has added full-time night patrols to monitor local roads in the winter, as well as developing priority plowing of school routes.
Ward 4 race
Adding to the sense of familiarity at last week’s meeting, was the race in ward 4 between Steven Liebig and John Scott – the same race as in 2006.
Liebig, who lost to Scott four years ago by just 15 votes, said he is running for the people of the township. They have told him they want an arena in Rockwood, that they are concerned about road and crosswalk safety in the village, especially for school children walking to school, and that they want to ensure their tax dollars are spent on the proper things.
“I want to bring your voices, I want to bring your ideas [to council] … and I want to make the township even better than it is,” Liebig said.
Scott said it has been a pleasure to represent the constituents of ward 4 for the past four years.
He acknowledged the need still exists for a recreational facility in Rockwood, but listed the improvements the current council has made in the area of recreation, including the new Marden facility.
Scott noted the possibility exists to expand the soccer fields at Rockmosa and perhaps also to add an outdoor ice rink. He said the township needs “a solid five-year plan for the development of our community,” and as a member of township’s strategic planning committee and commercial corridor improvement committee, he has taken a number of positive steps in that regard.
Ward 3
The race in ward 3 is another repeat of the 2006 election.
Incumbent councillor candidate Doug Breen said the township, and Rockwood in particular, is under development pressures that would have been “unthinkable” 20 years ago.
Therefore it is not a time for “short-term thinking” or to elect candidates “with an axe to grind,” he added. Breen said it is a time for reason, balance, and long-term vision.
“Unlike most municipalities, we have a plan,” Breen said, noting the township has been successful in attaining grants and looking ahead to future infrastructure needs in the municipality. He also listed many of the same accomplishments of the current council as White.
Gibson Smye, in addition to proposing the elimination of the CAO position, also called for “a hiring and salary freeze and a reduction in the number of staff at the township.”
She wondered how the township could afford an office expansion to make room for what she claims is the over abundance of staff already employed at the township.
Ward 2
Three candidates are seeking the council seat currently held by Roger Knapp, who is not seeking re-election.
Nicholas Dalton said if he is elected he will put his 24 years of experience running his own business – and farm – to work for resident of the township. He said his ability to think on his feet will be beneficial to council, as will his “hands on” experience.
John Gough told residents they should vote for whatever candidate they feel will make a difference for the municipality. He said his major concerns include the growing cities around the township, proper planning, and the escalating costs of government.
Corey Woods said people want councillors to be fiscally responsible, so he is committed to keeping tax increases at the rate of inflation “or to two per cent, at the very max.” He said he hopes to address the condition of local roads, help maintain agriculture, erect new signs and work on conflict resolution.
Ward 1
As in 2006, only one person registered as a candidate in ward 1. David Wolk said he hopes residents in that ward and across the township don’t see his acclamation as a reason not to go to the polls on Oct. 25. As a member of council, he hopes to draw on his business experience.
“I look forward to serving each and every member of our community,” he said. “My ears are open and I’m ready to listen.”
County council seats
In county ward 7 Don Mc–Kay and Bill Cloutis are squaring off, while incumbent Gord Tosh has been acclaimed in ward 8.
Cloutis said he hopes to reduce taxes by implementing more “honest tenders” and also introducing more stringent expenditure justifications. He would also like to work on business retention and openness and accountability of government. To that end, he would like to see all council votes published on the county website and wants the warden to be elected at large.
McKay, who currently sits on Puslinch council, said some education is required to ensure residents know what are the responsibilities of county council. He pledged to work closely with Guelph-Eramosa council on the many issues before the county, and added local residents deserve an “experienced, knowledgeable and accountable representative” on county council.
Tosh said the county has been in “building mode” for several years, specifically when it comes to libraries, but it appears that will be coming to an end soon – after which the county should be able to keep tax increases in check. He mentioned improving relations with the City of Guelph as one of the county’s top priorities going forward.
School board trustees
Kathryn Cooper, who is seeking the trustee position on the Upper Grand District School Board, said repeatedly the board needs a more “progressive” approach and that she would work “tirelessly” to that effect.
She noted there needs to be consideration for the environmental, social, and economic factors before making decisions, and added she supports a more community-based education model.
Cooper’s opponent and in–cumbent Ralph Edwards said with over 30 years of experience in educations, he is known for getting things done. He believes in being “responsive and responsible” and said he understands both the educational and financial side of being a trustee.
Edwards said he is excited about recent environmental initiatives at the board, of which he has been a part, including the new straw bale classrooms and the carbon neutral bus in Eden Mills.
Incumbent Steve Redmond, who is acclaimed as the Catholic board trustee, said the job boils down to giving students the opportunity to be the best they can be and addressing the “spiritual, moral, academic, and physical needs of our young people.” He also wants to ensure students are happy at school.
Septic waste disposal
Several candidates offered their insight on what to do to address the problem of septic waste disposal.
Martin told the questioner to ask officials in Erin about the problem, as officials there are undergoing a study to determine its next steps for sewer services.
Both White and Breen said the problem is a provincial one – municipalities don’t have the authority to tackle the issue of septic waste. Breen added better planning is also required at the municipal level to ensure the problem does not get any worse.
Rockwood growth
White, Breen, and Scott noted there is not a lot council can do about growth in Rockwood, as about 600 village lots are already designated for residential development.
White said the township hopes to fill those last lots and then keep the village as it is. Scott noted if it the township denies a builder a permit they can then go to the Ontario Municipal Board, which would likely side with the developer.
Martin said until the township gets the sewage capacity it “won’t be going anywhere” with expansion plans.
However, Liebig had a very different perspective on the issue. He believes the township has “sold Rockwood out for profit,” and it needs to closely consider any future residential developments. “I do not want to jam Rockwood full of homes.”
Edwards said if extra growth becomes a major issue, there exists the possibility of a joint separate-public board school in the area.
Fiscal expansion
One resident at the meeting wondered where the “millions of dollars” spent over the last term of council has come from.
White said the township attracted $9.5-million in federal and provincial grants over the last term for infrastructure projects, which have allowed the township to move its capital program up by about five years. He acknowledged there is only one taxpayer, but said the provincial and federal governments were going to spend the money anyway.
“They’ll spend it here or they’ll spend it in Toronto,” he said. He noted the township’s $2-million portion for he Marden building will be covered by user fees.
Martin said during his term as mayor council tried to keep budgets as close to a zero increase as possible, while still building up reserves. He said the current council has depleted those reserves, although White refuted that assertion.
“If you don’t have reserves, you cannot afford to borrow money to meet your one-third,” Martin said. “You’ve got to be fiscally responsible all the time.”
He added it is nice to have the recreational facility in Marden, “But it wasn’t built for Guelph-Eramosa … it was built for Guelph and it was built for Fergus. That’s not the way to go.”
