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Town needs to control debt: Paterson

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In Collingwood
Oct 9th, 2010
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By MORGAN IAN ADAMS Collingwood Enterprise Bulletin – October 8 2010
The town needs to get a handle on its debt before taking on any more priorities, says mayoral candidate Eammon Paterson.
The first-time candidate for political office says he entered the race because “I don’t like the rhetoric that I’m hearing right now… it’s time for a change.”
While he’s never held political office, Paterson says his experience as part of the union executive at Pilkington — including a stint as president of the local — gives him the background to lead and work with a team.
“We need to slow down, which is the right thing for taxpayers, and the right thing for Collingwood,” he said. “And it doesn’t matter how small or large an idea is, it has to be discussed; I’m willing to take all ideas, and dissect them.”
But first, the town’s debt of nearly $50 million has to be dealt with.
“That debt has this town in a bottleneck,” he said. “Once the debt is under control, then we can move forward in stages.
“In the next four years, I would plan to have that debt under control, and then we can start doing some of the things that taxpayers want.
“But all we’ve been doing is spend, spend, spend, and the average person can’t afford it.”
That includes on issues such as recreation. He noted the town had an opportunity to move ahead several years ago on a multi-use facility, with both government grants and a suitable piece of land in hand.
Then again, in Paterson’s opinion, the town should have moved ahead on a number of items, including infrastructure, years ago. He said the desire to keep budget increases to a minimum ended up costing the community in the long run.
“We’re stuck with this debt because previous councils procrastinated,” he said.
 At the county level, he pointed at the Hemson Report — the report on population and growth to Simcoe County that because a precursor to the county’s growth plan — as an appropriate direction to go when it comes to growth.
At the same time, he said, council has to be careful in how it handles growth.
“This town is going to change,” he said, noting the recently-approved adult lifestyle community next door to Cranberr y is “in line” with the Hemson Report.
On the industry front, Paterson said the municipality has lots of land available, and should be aggressively pursuing manufacturing facilities in order to sustain the town’s growth.
It would also provide much-needed jobs for young people, whom he’s concerned have no future in the community.
“There’s nothing for the kids; nothing to keep them busy and active,” he said, noting that leads to other issues such as petty crime and drug use.
Paterson is also committed to building a ‘team’ environment, where everyone — including taxpayers–has a say and a right to engage in debate.
“We have to work together as a community to make it happen,” said Paterson.
He said for a first-time campaigner, this municipal election has been like a fun roller-coaster ride.
“I have nothing to lose and everything to gain,” he said. “I’m gaining more knowledge and expertise on how to handle things with the public.
“I have a lot to offer the taxpayers,” he said. “Whether I’m successful or not, I’ve had a great time.”

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