Be sure to vote!

By Kate Harries AWARE Simcoe October 25 2010
Today’s the day. Don’t waste your vote.
If you haven’t decided, we have the information to help you make up your mind.
A total of 72 candidates responded to questionnaires distributed by AWARE Simcoe affiliates. Another 14 candidates attended the public interviews held by AWARE Tiny.
These individuals showed a willingness to respond to our group’s concerns, and for this, we thank them.
Critical issues for AWARE Simcoe: transparency, fiscal responsibility and growth.
On growth, Sandy Agnew, deputy mayor candidate in Oo-Medonte, writes powerfully of the need to reconcile the stark reality of the human condition on this planet with policies right here at home.
“I do not believe that growth is required to sustain a healthy economy,” Agnew says. ‘At some point the world, and Canada, must somehow cap the population. I will be seeking ways to sustain the economy without adding more people to the equation. If there is no growth then there should be no need to borrow money to finance new infrastructure. And our standard of living will be maintained.”
Rob Keffer, deputy mayor candidate in Bradford West Gwillimbury, uses economic facts to demonstrate that growth isn’t the way out of debt, He stresses that the price for future growth is paid in the here and now by current residents.
Terry Dowdall, running for for mayor in Essa, cautions against growing too fast. “I do not believe that we need to go beyond what is approved on the books. Developers in other places are running out of room and I do not want to compromise our quality of life to benefit them.”
Bill French, seeking the mayoral chair in Springwater, favours adhering to clear policy guidelines. “It took over ten years to finalize the secondary plans for Hillsdale and Midhurst and we are now seeing proposals and special situations that are already breaching the plans,” he says. “I would like to see growth in the areas where we do have infrastructure such as Elmvale before undertaking huge debt to build new water treatment and sewage plants.”
French gets an A plus as the only candidate with the correct answer on in-camera meetings. Most candidates state that the legislation requires that they go behind closed doors for certain topics (personnel, legal etc.) This is incorrect. The legislation allows them to do so, it doesn’t require them to do so.
As French says: “There are times that closed sessions are appropriate, such as an employee matter or an update on a legal matter. The governing legislation uses the word “may” which seems to be ignored in the decision to move into closed session.”
Of interest: Gord McKay, chair of Zero Waste Simcoe and mayoral candidate in Midland, says 75 per cent waste diversion should be the target over the next four years of county council.
McKay also offers these ideas on a new governance structure for Simcoe County. “I cannot tell you exactly what it is but if implemented, it will likely be based upon directly elected representatives; it will not overlap powers that are rightfully left with the municipalities; it will have a funding formula that permits transparency and control; it will resolve the rural-urban divergence in Simcoe County; and it will reduce the amount of bureaucracy.”
Just a few candidates whose answers offer a fresh perspective and are worth checking out, regardless of where you live and vote: Elias Lafazanos (New Tecumseth), Stuart Starbuck (New Tecumseth), David Edwards (Oro-Medonte); Marty Lancaster (Oro-Medonte); Joannie Spence (Oro-Medonte); Colin Bidmead (Severn), Katy Austin (Springwater), Steve Fishman (Wasaga Beach) and Darlene Watters (Wasage Beach).
A good idea from several all-candidates’ meetings in different municipalities: More recorded votes. And, in fact, several suggested, recorded council meetings so voters can follow what’s going on even if they aren’t able to attend.
Before deciding how to vote – look at the answers from all the candidates in your municipality and/or your ward. Only you can decide what is relevant to you.
But, most important – don’t waste your vote. Make it count.