Residents wanting to have their cake and eat it too got a bit of a wake-up call last week at the Erin all candidates debate at Centre 2000.
When asked how they could maintain the same level of services without raising taxes, most councillor candidates agreed it can’t be done.
“We’d need a magician,” incumbent John Brennan joked. However, he said he would be in favour of reviewing municipal costs to see if there are any items that can be cut or reduced.
Incumbent Josie Wintersinger said if residents want a zero percent raise in taxes, they should indicate what services they are willing to cut.
Candidate George Silva said tax increases are inevitable due to the rising costs of doing business. However, tax increases should be less than annual cost of living increases, he added. Silva also suggested the town look at different ways of raising extra money, including the possibility of charging for parking on the weekends.
Incumbent Barb Tocher agreed the town could look at other sources of revenue, but said tax increases are largely unavoidable.
Highlighting the case of Markham several times, Shawn Wilson said councillors shouldn’t necessarily be resigned to annual tax increases. He said there should be more bylaw enforcement in the town to raise money, as well as more events to draw tourism dollars.
Deb Callaghan said there is no way to avoid tax increases without outside sources of revenue, but Craig Porterfield argued a difference could be made if the town improved the efficiency with which it spends tax dollars. He also said township spending needs to be reviewed, starting with energy costs.
Candidates were then asked if they would support efforts by the Credit Valley Conservation (CVC) authority to enhance its stewardship program in the town.
Callaghan, Silva and Wintersinger said they would support the program, which has many benefits, while the other councillors differed in their opinions.
Porterfield said the best thing the town can do to help the environment is to attract jobs so local residents are not driving out of town to work, thus creating more emissions.
Wilson said the CVC may already be “too great a force” in the town as it is. He would like to see more police rather than more CVC employees in the municipality.
Tocher said the stewardship program is now offered by the CVC under an additional levy over and above the regular bill the town receives. This year council did not support a $15,000 extra levy for services that were previously provided for free but are now left to be covered by taxpayers.
Brennan said it is a “crying shame” the province cut funding to conservation authorities, leaving municipalities to foot the bill.
The authorities know local environmental issues the best, but the town needs to lobby the province to reinstate funding, he added.
Another question focused on how the proposed skateboard park in Erin would be paid for and if candidates would be willing to cut taxes for those living nearby the park.
Silva, who said no taxes will be lowered, told the crowd people often adopt a not-in-my-backyard approach to such things, but the users of the park need somewhere to go. He was unsure of the funding scenario.
Tocher explained the park will cost between $85,000 to $100,000. Some of it will be generated by volunteers, with council matching their donations, and the rest will come from corporate sponsors, she said.
Brennan agreed lowering taxes for certain homes is not an option. He said there was a long process to decide on the Centre 2000 location and everyone at the public meeting was in favour of it, which caused one woman in the crowd to yell out there was “not enough notice” provided for the meeting.
Callaghan said she agrees with Tocher and Brennan, while Porterfield said if the town has to consider lowering taxes for homes, the park is not going in the right spot.
Wintersinger said she thinks Centre 2000 is a fine location, given that someone is usually at the arena in case of an emergency and that the facility has washrooms and is easily accessible.
Wilson said he knew nothing about the skateboard park proposal until recently, despite having two children. He suggested Main Place may be a better location than Centre 2000.
As for what he would most like to accomplish over the next four years, Wilson said he wants to reduce the town’s debt and re-examine rising costs. Also, the municipality needs to develop better methods of raising money and helping the local economy, possibly in the form of a music festival, he added.
Silva said his main goal over the next four years would be to increase tourism. He noted hundreds of people flock to the village of Erin on weekends and the municipality needs to capitalize on that, as well as on the potential of the Credit River to draw visitors.
Tocher said completing phase one and two of the settlement and servicing master plan (SSMP) should be the priority over the next term. Brennan agreed, saying most of the challenges faced by the town are a result of sewage issues. Callaghan also stressed the importance of the SSMP, stating it will become the blueprint for where the township is going in the next 15 years.
Porterfield said tourism is very important, and the town needs to better market itself as a destination for both tourists and businesses.
But the town must also weigh “wants versus needs,” said Wintersinger. That should become the municipality’s focus over the next term.
When asked why residents should vote for him, Porterfield replied simply that he has the skill set, knowledge and experience to be a good councillor.
For Brennan, it comes down to values. He said residents may not agree with him on every issue, but if they share the same values, more often than not they will be pleased with his representation.
Callaghan said she loves the town and will listen to constituents’ opinions. She added council needs a “fresh mind with new ideas” moving forward.
Wintersinger said she is a good listener and is cautious in her decision making. She enjoys giving back to the community “because the community did a lot for me when I needed it.”
Wilson said one of his strengths is he is straightforward and tells it like it is. He is not afraid to say yes or no, depending on the issue, to make tough decisions.
Silva said there’s just something about the town that he loves, despite only living there for about seven months. “I feel the spark and the flame,” he said. He pledged to ensure growth in the municipality stays on the right track.
Tocher said she is fiscally responsible, listens to all sides of an argument before making a decision and offers vision and a wealth of experience.
