It was a packed house at the Elora Legion on Sept. 13 as local, county and school board candidates went head to head debating issues.
Hosted by the Centre Wellington Chamber of Commerce, time was limited during the two-hour event simply because of the number of candidates.
In total, 17 candidates spoke to those gathered, though most questions were directed to mayoral candidates Kelly Linton (incumbent) and Fred Morris (currently Ward 4 councillor).
QUESTIONS
How do you see the role of the CW Chamber Commerce in your business community?
Morris said “the chamber is a key player in economic development and business expansion in Centre Wellington.
“I would work closely with the chamber to facilitate the growth of businesses. You have some excellent businesses here and we need to play to our strengths.”
Morris said Centre Wellington’s strengths include the new hospital with health sciences and, “I think the chamber would be eager to bring in businesses from that field.”
Morris added, “The farming community would love to be involved in the work of the chamber.
“There’s lots to do and lots which can be done.”
Linton said the chamber is Centre Wellington’s primary partner when it comes to issues related to economic development.
Whether it is agri-food, tourism or revitalizing the downtowns “we really have to work with the chambers in everything we do.”
He anticipated a huge role for the chamber as the township develops its economic development strategy over the next few months.”
Linton suggested there are all kinds of opportunities moving forward.
“Jobs and investment are coming to this town and the chamber will be a big part of that.”
Job creation
Reading a written question, moderator Janet Harrop stated that although it has been said business is booming in Centre Wellington, very few new jobs have been created – relative to the overall growth of the community.
The concern raised was that the township’s economic strategy comprised of making promotional videos, reducing development fees for new business and transferring the cost to existing taxpayers. The written question also voiced concern over the investment in industrial land in Centre Wellington without prospective purchasers.
The question writer asked for a cost/benefit analysis of those actions.
“I think we have to look at what is happening in Centre Wellington right now,” said Linton.
He pointed to the $150-million project underway with Pearle Hospitality in downtown Elora, which is expected to create 200 new jobs.
Linton added the investment in new industrial land is the result of the township no longer having any sizeable industrial land to sell to prospective businesses.
“We have to get in the business of buying and servicing such land because when different businesses come to Centre Wellington, they are looking for shovel-ready land.”
As to comments nothing is happening in Centre Wellington, Linton said, “All you have to do is look around the downtowns. There is not one empty storefront in our downtowns and business is booming. We are doing everything we can to bring jobs and investment here.”
Morris contended the essence of the question was how to move forward.
He agreed there is the multi-million dollar project underway in Elora, but as that started “way back” in 2010, he said, “I don’t think you (Linton) can take a lot of credit for that. That project was on its way long before this current term of council.”
He said going forward there are things needed to develop economically in Centre Wellington.
“Buying land and servicing it without knowing who might come … I don’t know about it.”
Instead he said Centre Wellington should identify its needs, such as what business it wants locally, define local competitive strengths and then proactively knock on doors to invite prospective businesses to this area – “That is the way to create jobs.”
Growing the right way
Another person asked why the township allows new developments to be approved prior to the completion of numerous master plans affecting various aspects of the municipality, on which millions of dollars have been spent.
“Is that the right way to grow in Centre Wellington? – the short answer is no, it is not,” said Morris.
He draws a difference between a consultant’s plan and what is an action plan.
“We have paid over $1 million – close to $2 million – in this term of council for consultant reports, all of which call for millions more to be spent to implement those suggestions,” Morris said.
He added the township has enough consultant plans gathering dust, so, “I think we have to get some action plans, something on paper which states – this is what we are going to do – and make things happen in Centre Wellington – not just collect more consultant plans.”
Linton said one of the priorities for the current term of council was to initiate long-range planning for such items as water management, transportation, public forests and parks and recreation.
“These items are really important because they lay the framework for the next term of council,” said Linton, adding that without those plans council would be making knee-jerk reactions.
He added all these plans lead to and fit into the township’s growth management strategy.
“There are areas in Centre Wellington where we need to grow making sure we maintain a small-town feel. It takes planning.”
Linton contended the next term of council is about action and getting things done.
Downtown parking
Ward 1 candidate Ian MacRae and Ward 2 candidate Kim Jefferson were asked what approach would each of them take to solve parking in downtown Elora.
MacRae said “what we need to look at is the amount of time people are parked on the main street.”
He said a three-hour time limit would give people sufficient time to go to a restaurant or pub, wander through a few shops and have time to purchase.
MacRae advocated the idea of 30-minute parking in high volume areas to allow people to stop and pick up items or have a coffee.
He also suggested looking at the design of parking spots and instead of parallel parking, look at angle parking to accommodate more spots.
“I think we need engage the public and the store owners to help us sort it out. I don’t think we need consultants.”
MacRae also said Centre Wellington needs to consider parking garages.
He said there was an opportunity to construct a multi-level garage next to the Elora LCBO and suggested another prime location would be behind the L&M grocery store.
Jefferson said “we are both of the same mind … on the need to look into diagonal parking and parking structures in Elora.”
She added there are also different parking apps for smartphones available – though it would require paid parking.
“But the apps would also allow customers to renew paid parking from their phones while sitting and having dinner.”
And, she said, the funds from paid parking would go back to the municipality, which in turn could help fund the cost of parking structures.
Kiddie Kar factory
The fate of the Kiddie Kar factory ruins also came up during candidate questions.
The question stated an article within the Wellington Advertiser suggested it was originally intended for the ruins to be integrated into the Pearle Hospitality conception to retain the flavour of the heritage of the south side condo development. The Walser building were to be incorporated into commercial spaces.
According to the person asking the question, current Pearle site plans shows removal of the ruins and mayoral candidates were then asked why this was allowed.
“Heritage is very important to me,” Linton said, adding Heritage Centre Wellington works very closely with Pearle each step of the way.
However, Linton contended his understanding was there was no indication the ruins were ever going to stay.
He maintained “this is an amazing opportunity to develop the south side of the river.” Linton pointed to planned construction of a walkway along the river and that this work will be cleaning up a brownfields site.
“It’s an exciting project for Elora and an exciting project for Centre Wellington.”
“At the end of the day, we are going to do our best that this is designed in the right way to retain the heritage features which need to be retained while giving the developer the leeway to do what they do best.”
Linton remained excited about what that project will bring to Centre Wellington.
Morris said “when it comes to heritage and the loss of the Kiddie Kar factory and other heritage properties over the last term of council (it) is symptomatic of our problem: we have a grossly outdated heritage policy.”
That policy, Morris said, has not been updated since its passage in 2005.
He added he has brought up the matter repeatedly at council but, “I keep getting stalled answers again, and again, and again.”
Morris said “what has happened is a shame and I think our heritage properties are what make us a special small town and I will do everything I can to protect it.”
Marijuana stores
Wellington County Ward 6 candidates Shawn Watters and Diane Ballantyne were asked if they would allow stores selling cannabis for recreational use.
Watters pointed out it is not legal yet, however, “I’ve seen the benefits of it.” He noted when his wife had cancer, she had medicinal cannabis which helped her get through it.
“Everyone has their own reasons for this type of thing,” he added.
Ballantyne said that as a high school teacher she is well aware of the impacts of cannabis on the youth population.
“I definitely think there needs to be extremely tight regulations to ensure to keep young people from accessing it.” That said, Ballantyne agreed young people can “access it right now if they want to.”
Her preference would have been to have LCBO locations as the distribution point – but that does not appear how it is going to turn out.
Ballantyne, who agreed cannabis is useful for medicinal purposes and recreational purposes, concluded, “It is going to be legal, and yes I would support it coming into Centre Wellington.”
Voting security
Centre Wellington Ward 2 candidates Kim Jefferson and Kirk McElwain were asked why Centre Wellington voters must choose between internet and telephone voting. The person submitting the question said neither process is secure in terms of privacy.
McElwain said there was a lot of discussion at the council table regarding the voting method.
The issue some councillors found with the previous mail-in vote was that it had significantly reduced the timeframe in which candidates could campaign.
Some residents had voted three weeks before a candidate was able to visit, McElwain said. He said the online ballot allows people to vote from any location, adding, “My background is IT and I believe the internet is pretty secure.”
Jefferson was not involved in the council decision, but added going paperless is of benefit to the environment.
She took part in a seminar explaining the process and the requirement of password, the servers used and the backups to the system.
Jefferson said she believes the system is pretty secure and hopes residents feel comfortable with the change in technology. For those not comfortable, Jefferson said there will be places in the township where voters can get assistance.
Full time fire department?
With the continuing growth of Centre Wellington, mayoral candidates were asked how large they saw the local fire department and how much could be afforded.
Linton said the township recently completed its fire services master plan with priorities for the next decade.
He said he’s been told by other municipalities to stick with part-time volunteer fire departments as long as possible.
“That is the best approach for small and medium size municipalities and we are proud of our CW fire department,” said Linton.
He noted the complement of firefighters was recently increased by 10 to 12, adding “As long as we continue to provide the services to residents in a timely way, I think we should remain with this type of service.”
Morris said, “It is a rare occasion for me to say this, but I agree with Kelly on this.”
He added “we have a great a fire department and we want to maintain our system of firefighting as long as we can.”
Morris added “I don’t think Centre Wellington should be in any hurry to move to a full-time service because we have some great firefighters – they are as professional as they come.”
Should Badley Bridge be preserved as heritage structure?
“This is where government gets stuck in a rut sometimes,” Morris said, noting governments seem convinced things must be done a certain way.
The Wellington County bridge is scheduled for demolition and replacement.
Morris said this issue is indicative to how heritage is dealt with. When the item first came to council, Morris said it would be nice to repair/retain the bridge or replace it with a similar structure. He said the response was that the county did not build bridges of that type anymore and when the township asked for extra features, it was told any extras would have to be paid for by the township.
“This is where we need to come together as governments and talk about things of value to the community.”
Linton said “I actually agree with part of what councillor Morris said. It is really important to talk to the citizens. At the end of the day we have to look at what the price will be.”
He said steel bridges of that type are no longer being built.
“Therefore we have to look at how much it is worth to the citizens of Centre Wellington. Is it worth paying the extra costs to rebuild the bridge in the likeness it is now?”
Linton said, “a cost analysis is done on every bridge replacement and we have to look at how much we can afford.
“If the cost is prohibitive and would be bourne by taxpayers, it makes sense we ask the taxpayers.”
Will there soon be public transportation between Fergus and Elora?
This question was posed to Ward 1 candidate Don Fisher and Ward 2 candidate Kirk McElwain.
Fisher said “the short answer is – I have no idea.” He added “the longer answer would be – it would be a good thing to do, but people need to be reminded that a similar service was attempted a few years ago, and it did not work out too well.”
He said the issue ties in to new developments between Fergus and Elora, which will fill the gaps “so that some point in the future when these developments come on line – there will be time where public transportation will be viable.”
McElwain said he agreed with almost everything Fisher stated.
“It is not imminent, that is for sure, unless some private organization stepped up,” McElwain said.
He also agreed that a certain amount of ridership is required to make such a service work.
McElwain said the service was attempted by a non-profit group and it failed because the ridership wasn’t there.
He added that after the Master Transportation management plan is completed, there may be a plan put in place for the township to fund something.
Rural broadband deficit
County Ward 4 candidates Ross Chaulk and Allan Hons were asked about the deficit of broadband service in rural areas.
Chaulk said, “I live in a rural area, but in a rural area it is expensive to have bandwidth,” he said, adding the government needs to assist rural areas.
Chaulk suggested if municipalities could get the money once received as a result of the previous farm tax rebate program it would make a big difference.
“We used to get 100 per cent of the farm tax – now we don’t.” He said farmers are in the same position – but 75% of the farm tax now goes to the province.
Hons agreed the internet is connected to productivity.
“You need that technology to run farms, tractors to make farms as productive and efficient as possible.”
He agreed the province needs to increase the network for broadband in rural areas to build a strong agricultural sector.
Tiebreak accusation
A question directed specifically at Linton asked “why were you not conflicted when you broke the tie at council (earlier this year) supporting the Haylock/Youngblood subdivision on the South River Road when one of the developers had financially contributed to your 2014 election campaign?”
In January, council voted in favour of the minutes of settlement following an OMB mandated mediation betweem the developers, the township and Wellington County.
Linton stated all of the donations he recieved for his 2014 campaign met all requirements and are published – as required for all candidates.
Linton stressed “I don’t break ties … I vote.”
“I vote on everything, and that is the only way to provide accountability,” he said.
“I’m getting a little tired of people saying I broke a tie. I have the same vote as any of the councillors here.”
Linton said he voted because he believed the subdivision was in the best interests of the municipality.
“I still believe that.”
He maintained if we had simply left it up to the tribunal (instead of mediation) we would have ended up with something much worse.
Nestlé opposition
Candidates Fred Morris and Kim Jefferson were asked what they would do challenge the Doug Ford adminstration so that Nestlé would not get permit to take water in Centre Wellington.
Morris contended “I have long said I am opposed the presence of Nestlé in Centre Wellington.”
He said “water is a public trust and is not only needed now, but for the growth of the community in the future.”
At the recent AMO conference in Ottawa, Morris said he, Linton and CAO Andy Goldie met with the new minister of the environment “to make it clear the community is against Nestlé operating within Centre Wellington.”
The township has asked the moratorium on permits to take water be extended.
“I will continue to lobby for that and to press the new government in any way I can, to let them know the community is solidly against the presence of an international water bottling company.”
Jefferson said she had not been around for all of the dealings with the Nestlé issue.
“I can only go by what I’ve heard in the media.”
She understands the community is not in favour of Nestlé coming in and that there is new provincial leadeship.
“We need to have a sustainable water system especially with all the development coming in.”
Jefferson said she is willing to work with township council and county council to approach the province to let them know what Centre Wellington residents want, and do not want, in their district.
What are you prepared to do to bring industrial jobs to the area?
Morris said “We need to be broader in our scope regarding industrial jobs. We need to look at business sectors.”
He asked “what does Centre Wellington want and need?”
“Do we want high smoke stacks, I don’t think so … and we are not going to get them anyways.”
Morris said “Centre Wellington needs to define its competitive edge – what we have to offer business that no one else can offer.”
With that accomplished “then we go out and proactively seek the businesses we want,” Morris said.
Linton stated “I want to continue on the theme of agreeing with Fred – it’s been a while.”
However, his agreement was only to a point.
Linton contended that governments have been notoriously bad at picking specific industries to entice to a community.
Instead, Linton advocated the municipality being as flexible as possible to attract many different businesses.
“We have to make sure development fees are as low as possible, be competitive, offer incentives as needed and be ready to sell our community.”
Linton said many businesses here love the quality of life and the downtowns.
“We need to have areas for businesses to expand.
Would you reducing development charges for commercial industrial properties to create jobs?
“I think there is a better way,” Morris said.
His research indicates the town of Milton does not cut its development charges – they amortize them.
Morris agreed businesses run into issues because they cannot finance development charge fees through the bank.
What ends up happening is the business owners approach council for help to either waive or defer the charges.
“I’m willing to help businesses with their DC charges and willing to give our treasurer the power to amortize charges up to 10 years … treat it like a mortgage, but pay it.”
Morris said the township should not be playing favourites “because if the funds don’t come from the businesses, they come from the residents.”
Linton said one of the things council heard in 2014 from the business community was that development charges in CW were too high and it was negative to businesses which wished to expand and for businesses considering relocation to Centre Wellington.
He said upfront development charges have been reduced, “and we are seeing a huge uptake.”
“Businesses are coming to, and expanding within CW because of that,” Linton said.
“If we are serious about not becoming a bedroom community, we have to be agressive when it comes to development charges and reducing the barriers to business expansion here. We don’t want businesses heading to Guelph, to KW, or up north.”
He added “we need to do whatever we can to increase jobs and investment in Centre Wellington.”
