• Protecting Water and Farmland in Simcoe County

Penetanguishene: Finances focus of deputy mayor candidates

By
In Penetanguishene
Sep 17th, 2010
0 Comments
1566 Views

Marion, Lackie, Garratt looking to fill seat vacated by Doug Leroux
By Nicole Million Simcoe.com Sep 15, 2010
PENETANGUISHENE – No matter how Penetanguishene residents vote, there’s going to be a new backside settling into the deputy mayor’s chair after Oct. 25.
The three-way race pits two moneymen – one with experience around the council table and one with years of experience running local businesses – and a businesswoman whose blank political resumé is offset by a sheer determination for change.
Pat Marion, a current member of council, said he has the proper experience at the proper time to fill the position of deputy mayor.
With 37 years in the banking industry, Marion said he is excited the position comes with the opportunity to sit as a member of Simcoe County council and to help steer a multimillion-dollar budget.
Thomas Lackie, a financial adviser in Midland, opted to throw his hat in the ring because he feels Penetanguishene isn’t being run as efficiently as it should be.
“Being a businessman, you think the town should be run like a business – and it isn’t. It’s a big business with a multimillion-dollar budget and should be run like that,” he said. “Cost overages – the town hall and sports hall of fame – in private enterprise just aren’t tolerated. You’d either be fired or you’d go bankrupt. I’ve seen too much of that, and I’d like to do something about it.”
Like both of her opponents, Heather Garratt is a longtime resident of Penetanguishene. The former owner and manager of several businesses has also served on a number of committees over the years.
She told The Mirror she initially chose to run because she didn’t think anyone running for political office should be given a free ride to the council table.
“At the time, it looked Pat Marion had no opposition, and I didn’t think that was right, so I am going forward and making my statement on how I feel about Penetang,” she said, adding she would like to do away with the current ward system and get the town’s budget back in line.
“There’s been a lot of expenditures over the past 10 to 15 years, and we need to pull back the reins and make things right again for the community.”
All three candidates are in agreement that taxes – and municipal services – are two of the biggest issues facing the municipality this election year. All of them stated there is no need to continually increase residential taxes.
“I believe taxes should never exceed the rate of inflation wherever possible. I don’t win all of those battles, but I certainly have them,” said Marion. “When I came on board, taxes were running about six per cent, and I’ve had them down as low as two per cent. I believe that two to three per cent is the proper area for them to be, and that allows us to continue with our infrastructure.”
Marion said the town still has a long way to go with its infrastructure needs, but noted it has made strides in recent years.
“We’ve certainly put more together in the past five years than in the previous 10,” he said, adding it’s a matter of finding a balance between the best possible service and the least possible tax increase.
Lackie agreed the town should be careful with tax hikes, but acknowledged the rising cost of living sometimes makes it necessary to do so.
“It should be less than inflation,” he said. “If the town was run like a business, the taxes wouldn’t have increased so much. I know people will complain because they want more and more services, but, once you get the psyche of not increasing taxes all the time, by saving money and studying the town’s expenditures, the services could be increased because you’d save a lot of money.”
Garratt said a “nice balance” is important.
“I believe in getting rid of the services that really aren’t necessary. It’s a matter of taking away from one to give to another.”
Marion said he is confident heading into the election.
“I think my 37 years of banking and seven years of being on council gives me an advantage,” he said.  “I can’t see how someone can come in off the street never having been in politics – and, in one case, with no financial background – and do this job.”
Lackie is equally confident his track record running several successful businesses, as well as his experience as a financial adviser, will be what voters want.
“A lot of elected officials forget who put them there and go off on their own agenda,” he said. “That is why you need business people in positions like this. We are used to handling money. I’ve always had a number of employees, so I know about payrolls, budgeting, and I know you’ve got to watch the pennies.”
Garratt said she believes it is simply time for a change.
“The present council has been there a long time. I think they’re possibly stagnating a bit, and I think people are ready for … someone with new ideas.”

Leave a Reply

Commenters must post under real names. AWARE Simcoe reserves the right to edit or not publish comments. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *