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Saturday, August 16, 2014 • Issue # 51The independent local newspaper of Fort Erie, Canada
384 Ridge Road, Ridgeway • 905-894-1703www.dwhowardrealty.com • [email protected]
D.W. Howard Realty Ltd. BrokerageLakefront Experts for 30 Years
235 South Mill St., Ridgeway, Ontario • (289) 271-2955www.ridgewayherald.com
Mike Cloutier, editor and [email protected]
The independent local newspaper of Fort Erie, Canada
Promises, promises:“listen” “teamwork”
“infrastructure”“positive” “tireless”
“reduce taxes”“stop condos”
“growth”“growth”
“growth”
WHATTHEYSAIDTHEN
✓
endless?
By Mike CloutierToday’s edition marks the start of municipal election
coverage with a review of what councillors said they were going to do when they asked you to vote for them.
The chamber of commerce hosted two candidates’ debates shortly before the election in 2010 in which they all had a chance to make speeches and answer questions.
In December 2010 after the new council held its fi rst business meeting (as opposed to the largely ceremonial inaugural meeting), The Ridgeway Herald published practically verbatim what they said in the debates.
The purpose was to provide the background against which the councillors would be evaluated over their four-year term.
continued on Page 2
2010 election speeches reprised
2 • The Ridgeway Herald
With so many more readers now, it seems important that their words be repeated so a complete picture can be
painted over the next couple of months leading up to election day on Oct. 27.
The stories in today’s paper are exactly as they appeared on Dec. 15, 2010.
The speeches they made are especially important because the councillors had prepared them in advance. Unfettered
by any distraction except, perhaps, nervousness in public speaking, they presented as best as they could who they were, what they thought, and how they would manage public affairs.
They have had nearly four years now to show what they told us, and for some, the show does not match the tell.
Interestingly, the fi rst business meeting featured two of the issues which have most nagged this council: the operations review and the relationship with the EDTC.
Other issues have nagged this council, too, and still others have gone by without notice.
If you have been following town council, you can judge for yourselves how well they have lived up to what they promised.
Page 2 • Editorial • Op-Ed • What-not
Speeches offer guide to evaluate council
John Teal said that his 17 years of political experience -- regional councillor for eight years in the 1980s and mayor for nine years after that -- makes him well-prepared to tackle the region in the 21st century.
“Continued success and growth of our community requires a strong voice, effective advocacy and the ability to negotiate results that benefi t the town and region,” he said.
“I’ve done this in the past and I will do it in the future,” he said. “I offer 25 years of experience and my commitment that your voice will be my voice at the region.”
The “systematic” loss of hospital services “should teach us that our community has to speak up when we’re treated differently or unfairly.”
Much of the time, talent and resources of the town have been used up simply trying to save what we have. “Think the Douglas Memorial Hospital. Think the racetrack.”
He said issues such as transit,
regional debt load and the Grow South strategy will have an impact on Fort Erie.
“Issues will change from year to year, but what remains constant is an ability to speak up loudly and forcefully whenever necessary to advocate effectively for things we in greater Fort Erie need and deserve.”
He said he “fully supports” the establishment of a regional transit system. “I don’t believe in rushing into things. I believe it should be phased but it should defi nitely be proceeded with.”
With the regional government’s willingness to assume more debt, he said he hopes it “translates into real infrastructure money spent in the town of Fort Erie.”
The decision to reduce garbage pickup to biweekly instead of weekly is wrong. “Waste collection is one of the basic essential services that government at the municipal level must provide,” he said.
“There will always be pressure
from staff, from the public and the bureaucrats to cut costs and reduce service levels. But I believe the two should balance. There is an obligation to serve people that sometimes surmounts the obligation to save money.
He said he supports the decision to relocate police headquarters to Niagara Falls but noted that “someone said, a million here, a million there and soon you’re talking about real money -- $83 million, that’s a lot of money.”
He does not favour amalgamation of any sort. “I don’t accept that there is such a thing as a community of Niagara. The region is a political affi liation of unique municipalities,” he said.
“But I do see opportunities for collaborative work for partnerships on issues that are signifi cant to us in the southern part of the region,” he said.
“I hope to see the Grow South strategy actually start growing south.”
John Teal, regional council, seeking re-election
. . . continued from Page 1
The Ridgeway Herald • 3
Bob Steckley gave himself credit for infrastructure projects aimed at addressing the serious fl ooding problems in Crescent Park.
“We made great strides in the drainage issue in Crescent Park. It took a couple of years to get the ball rolling. The past couple of years we have seen a lot of construction vehicles in Crescent Park.”
“When I was fi rst elected to council, the extraneous fl ow program was just starting. This program has systematically inspected everywhere in Crescent Park to look for illegal hook ups to our sewer system.”
“The Frenchmen’s Creek trunk sewer main, once completed, will take all the sewers north of Orchard Road off the Crescent Park sewer line. This will have a benefi t.”
“Phase One and Two of the north Crescent Park storm drainage project has been just completed and the next phases are ready to go.”
“I believe we are making signifi cant headway on this issue and we need to keep this momentum going to work away at the drainage issue year by year.”
“I also believe some of our roads in Ward 3 need immediate attention and residents feel that way as well.”
“Waverly Beach needs to be maintained regularly so it can be enjoyed by all residents of Fort Erie.”
He said he supports the Canadian Motor Speedway project because of the benefi ts it will bring to the town.
“There are some legitimate concerns that have been expressed. We’ve heard everything from noise, traffi c problems and air pollution. But keep in mind the developers of the speedway will not be able to bypass any of the regulations. This development will have to be approved by not only the town, but the Region, the Niagara Peninsula Conservation Authority, the Ministry of Environment, the Ministry of Natural
Resources and other agencies.”Steckley said he supports the concept
of “walkable, bikable communities.”“It’s evident to me that council and
staff need to take the principle of a walkable, bikable community into account when new developments are proposed in the town. This means new dedicated bike lanes on streets and more sidewalks connecting our communities to stores and businesses.”
Steckley defended his voting record, saying he opposed the budgets that were supported by the majority of council because he felt the tax increases were unrealistic.
“I voted against three of the last four budgets because I was opposed to the burden the large tax increases would have on the taxpayers of Fort Erie and didn’t feel that we had done enough to look for savings and effi ciencies. I believe it’s irresponsible to vote in favour of a budget that asks for an
Bob Steckley, town council, seeking region seat
Stephen Passero became a fi xture in the public gallery of the council chamber over the past four years and a frequent speaker. He told voters this has prepared him to take on the tasks ahead.
“Nobody will show up to council better prepared or educated on the issues to be debated or discussed,” he said.
He positioned himself squarely in front of a number of issues facing
council during the last term.He assumed chairmanship of the
Ontario Shorewalk Association which led the drive to clean up and open road allowance access to many beaches.
He took on the leadership of the skatepark initiative and is leading efforts to build a new Kinsmen pool. He is president of the chamber of commerce.
“We (members of the committees) have worked together to increase
waterfront access, strengthening parks and recreation opportunities for youth and families and cultivated a dynamic business sector for job creation and employment.”
“I furthered ideas and causes I believe in and fought for them tirelessly, and as many incumbent councillors will tell you, I’ve been highly effective.”
“I am prepared, capable and up to
Rick Shular stood on his record and said he will continue to work “diligently” and to “dedicate myself to the principles” he’s developed through “my vast experience within the town.”
His many years of community activities was recently recognized with the award of the Hal Rogers Fellow Award, the highest award for a Kinsmen member for “outstanding community involvement.”
“I’ve been charged with possibly not responding (to people’s concerns). My constituents would doubt that.”
Projects in Ward 2 were put in place
during the last term. “I’m proud of Garrison Road. I’m proud of Walden Boulevard. I’m proud of Queen Street.”
He has been personally affected by the reduction in hospital services since his wife recently lost her job at Douglas Memorial Hospital.
“She ran the operating room in this hospital for 30 year. She dedicated herself. As a result of that action she is unemployed and missed by many, many people in this community.”
He said the Kinsmen pool should be “brought up to standard” as well as the neighbourhood parks.
Property standards are an ongoing issue and enforcement offi cers should be given “new tools” to address situations that are obviously a nuisance but not illegal.
“This is not proper. We need to change our bylaws. We need to clean up our environment and we need to support the people who do an outstanding job.”
He said he has a life outside of council and is proud of the work he does for the Kinsmen, Masons and Shriners.
Stephen Passero, councillor seeking mayoralty
Rick Shular, seeking re-election
continued on Page 4
continued on Page 6
4 • The Ridgeway Herald
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Don Lubberts felt so strongly opposed to the Bay Beach project that he fi led an appeal with the Ontario Municipal Board.
“There is no doubt that Crystal Beach needs development. However, in approving the development, we must listen to the people. We must not give away our heritage or our beach front. We must maintain our village atmosphere.”
“We have an award-winning neighbourhood plan that we developed as a community and was accepted by our council. We should use the guidelines set forward with this plan and that’s the way it should go for Bay Beach,” he said.
“If we can put together a good sound plan based on our waterfront, I believe in the next four years we can make Crystal Beach on of the major tourist
attractions in Ontario.”The members of the new council
will be working together as a team, “a team that will unify the community and
unify the council.”He also holds Douglas Memorial
Hospital as a top priority.“I want every family to feel safe
to know that their medical needs are looked after here, not 25 miles away. We need to restore our hospital services,” he said.
“I pledge to work to control local taxes. We need a full accounting of
unrealistic tax increase.”[Steckley voted against every consolidated operations and capital budget
in the past four years, including the allocation for the drainage component of the Crescent Park project. He voted in favour of the water and sewer budget -- which is funded separately by water bills -- that contained the water and sewer components of the Crescent Park project.]
He said he will “advocate for an independent operational review of certain town departments to ensure they are being run effi ciently and effectively and that your tax dollars are being spent wisely.”
Don Lubberts seeking re-election
“I will not vote as part of a bloc. I will remain
independent and listen to the merits of each issue.”
continued on Page 6
Steckley. . . continued from Page 3
The Ridgeway Herald • 5
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John Hill ran for council “with the objective of fostering an environment of open dialog, communication and trust.”
A new resident who recently moved into the Ridgeway-by-the-Lake development, he said the people of Ward 4 want a councillor “that will listen to their concerns no matter how big or how small.”
“They are looking for a communicator, someone that will carry their voice to council. They want a representative that will work with other members of council to fi nd common ground when they are not agreement and to form a cohesive,
unifi ed team at city hall,” he said.“You deserve to be represented by
a council that embraces transparency, accountability and respect.”
He said he will hold annual “town hall” meetings with constituents “with the objective of gaining an understanding of what matters to you in Ward 4 . . . ultimately reconnecting
Paul Collard said the lessons he has learned from training for marathon running have prepared him well to be a town councillor.
“Determination, focus, setting goals, handling adversity, discipline are some of the personal attributes I will bring to my work as your councillor.”
He said he has a reputation in business as being “tough but fair, fi rm but fl exible.”
“I want to help build a dynamic, energized, healthy community. We have some new and bold initiatives on the horizon. I will work tirelessly to ensure all changes are for the positive betterment of our area and that they are done right,” he said.
“It’s important to meet and listen to
the people I represent on council. On all issues I will speak to you or on your behalf directly, honestly, respectfully and in a straight-forward manner. There is no baffl e-gabble, no spin,” he said.
“When I put my platform together, I put together pages and pages of things I’d like to see done in Ward 6 and greater Fort Erie -- roads, parks, transit, new development. But the fi rst thing that popped into my mind was the ER,” he said.
Paul Collard seeking re-election
John Hill seeking re-election
“I will speak to you or on your behalf directly,
honestly, respectfully and straight-forward.”
continued on Page 7
continued on Page 6
“You deserve to be represented by a council
that embraces transparency, accountability and respect.”
6 • The Ridgeway Herald
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speed on where we are, where we need to go and what we need to do to get there.”
Passero said a priority is to intensify residential neighbourhoods and reduce the tax load through growth.
“Fort Erie was built out as a community of communities and we have a lot of spaces in between. There may be two houses on a road, but the cost to maintain the road is the same. Intensifi cation of residential neighbourhoods will help to spread out those costs amongst us.”
“Not just residential growth, but commercial and industrial growth as well. All these sectors pay taxes,” he said.
“My actions and decisions are guided by common sense and consultation. I always support dialog and debate and never hesitate to change my mind if better of additional information is presented. There is nothing more dangerous than an idea when it is the only one you have,” he said.
“I always listen to what people have to say and never try to tell them what I think they want to hear. I’m honest, dedicated and have enjoyed every minute of helping to better my home town.”
Ward 4 constituents with council.”
“I believe in openness. As you create openness and as you create transparency you create engagement,” he said.
Increasing taxes are a major concern. “Particularly affected are seniors on a fi xed income, as I am.”
Hill wants a “core operational review” conducted at town hall “to ensure the proper use of our tax dollars.”
He said he favours “conscientious development, and that includes residential, industrial and commercial growth that will allow for a more stable economic base.”
He does not support the Bay Beach proposal.
“I believe there is a
collaborative solution, one that will be satisfying to all the objectives of the town and constituents.”
Tourism partnerships should be created with American and Toronto area and southwestern Ontario organizations, saying the Economic Development and Tourism “Commission” should be more active in that role.
“We do have an opportunity to attract them down here but we’ve got to look at ways that we can be creative in terms of how we can attract them down here and I think we need to look at establishing some form of task force that can help do that.”
where our tax dollars are spent. We appear to spend too much for expensive consultants.”
Noting that every election has questions about property standards, Lubberts said it might be worthwhile to divert funds from some other departments to bylaw enforcement.
“Maybe if we did something like that, we could give the bylaw department the resources required to be an effective department,” he said.
“I will not vote as part of a bloc,” he said. “I will remain independent and listen to the merits of each issue. I will listen to my constituents before I vote on any major issue.”
“I understand it is council’s job to set policy and direct staff. Unfortunately we have seen for many years where staff seems to be directing council.”
. . . continued from Page 5. . . continued from Page 4
. . . continued from Page 3
Lubberts Hill
Passero
The Ridgeway Herald • 7
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“I’m going to work diligently to get that restored. And I hope it doesn’t take four years,” he said.
“We have to work on new development to make sure our tax base is expanded through development, smart growth. We have to make sure we have decent parks for people to play in, for people to go and have some recreation.”
He thinks the Canadian Motor Speedway is a good project. “But we must do our due diligence. We have to make sure we educate ourselves to ensure that all the things they say they are going to do that they will do . . . we need to ensure it’s going to have the least minimum impact on all residents of Stevensville.”
“I believe too that that the only sign of life is growth, but we must not forget our past. Fort Erie has a rich and glorious history. We must rejoice in it and celebrate it and always remember to preserve the magnifi cent culture and character entrusted to us by our forefathers.”
. . . continued from Page 5
Collard
8 • The Ridgeway Herald
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