The candidates speak: Ward 3

Bradford Topic October 19 2010 The Topic sent a list of five questions to all of the candidates for Bradford West Gwillimbury council and asked them to respond via e-mail.
The candidates were given 200 words to respond to each question.
Here are the responses of Ward 3 candidates Gary Lamb, John McCallum and Lou Mosna.
1. Public transit is an issue that has been raised by many candidates and members of the public during this campaign. Do you support a public transit system in Bradford West Gwillimbury and if so, what form should it take?
Lamb: We need to encourage regional collaboration with Simcoe County, the province and York Region.
A town our size simply does not have the financial resources to go it alone.
GO Transit could be approached to reroute a couple of their buses each day to proceed west on Holland Street to Middletown Sideroad and then north to 8th Line and then back to Hwy. 11 (Bond Head could also be a stop on the Barrie run). This would force them to provide access to the new shopping district and the Fallis arena and the industrial park.
We could persuade the retailers to the west to provide a shuttle a couple of days a week.
Perhaps an extension to York Region Transit or Viva is possible.
Specialized transportation services for elderly and disabled people are a priority in the whole town, not just the urban area.
We have local bus and cab companies that have equipment and need a partnership to make expanded service a reality.
We also have CHATS that can become more of a player.
McCallum: Yes, I do.
We already have a north-south service offered by GO, such that it appears the most pressing need is for an east-west service.
The first step would be to identify exactly what those needs are, so any delivery of services can be tailored to meet those needs in as cost-effective a way as possible.
It may be that we should explore an arrangement to partner with York Region Transit.
Perhaps businesses that would benefit from increased traffic could be encouraged to participate in making services available.
Of course, all suggestions would be welcome, especially from those who would use the service, if available.
Mosna: Yes, I support it, but can we afford the enormous capital cost?
Here are some ideas:
-Shuttle van service to scheduled spots, perhaps from the GO Station, along County Road 88 to Bond Head;
-Partner with our good corporate citizens for shuttle vans on a trial basis.
Once the ratepayers of BWG are aware of the cost, let them decide the system they want.
2. How would you keep taxes under control in Bradford West Gwillimbury?
Lamb: Growth should benefit the taxpayer, but taxes keep going up.
If we get a windfall or the promised industrial development actually comes here, then we should get a tax break.
A homeowner with an extraordinary expense like a new furnace in one year does not spend the equivalent amount each subsequent year, but municipalities will keep collecting.
Expenses should be classified as must have, nice to have or not necessary.
That’s how you budget for a home or a business and the town is a big, growing business.
An affordable tax bill today may not be affordable tomorrow, because tax increases are compounded each and every year.
It becomes a mortgage for life.
Think about that if you are on a fixed income.
McCallum: The first point I would make is that it is important to understand the role of taxes — they pay for services and amenities offered by the municipality.
Unless the municipality is going to run at a deficit, which it does not currently, costs have to be covered.
There are two levels of taxes: residential and non-residential.
To control the burden on residential taxpayers, there needs to be an increase in non-residential property owners, who pay a higher rate of tax.
We need a profitable mix in our tax base, so that residential taxpayers feel and are less vulnerable to change.
People need to have reasonable notice of intended changes in their taxes, so they have the opportunity to plan and to save.
To avoid surprises, we need to keep open dialogue with the provincial government, which sets the assessment policies and determines education tax rates in the first instance.
Mosna: Why have the development plans stopped in the County Road 88, Melbourne and Professor Day drives area?
Those lands have to be developed to get the most of our infrastructure dollars.
There are development lands in Ward 3 not being farmed but enjoying farmland tax rates.
I would insist that this be corrected if not actively farmed.
I would carefully review where the town is overspending and stop the waste of tax dollars.
I would stop relying on consultants and insist that council make the decision.
The key to success is proper planning before the start of development.
3. What steps would you take to help make Bradford West Gwillimbury more environmentally-friendly?
Lamb: Think ahead!
When we allow new development, then we should plan for the eventuality that people may change something like their driving habits and ride a bike to their destination.
For example, we have spent 10s of millions of dollars on new roads in Bradford, but in our zeal to pave and concrete, we didn’t leave three feet for the kids to ride their bikes to the new soccer dome.
When I was the recycling co-ordinator, I took blue boxes into classrooms.
It was the kids who taught their parents and they will continue to do so if we send them the right message: reduce garbage and waste, more backyard composting, water conservation, trails, bike paths and planting trees.
Developers must fulfill their obligations for erosion prevention, downstream flooding, building to code and proper land use.
We should be wary of environmentally unsound development that other areas don’t want.
McCallum: We should continue the work already started, such as restoration of Scanlon Creek Conservation Area, in which I am involved; implementing our new trails system; working with the planning department to ensure we have optimal green space and enhanced park lands; bringing more trees into our community; working with Lake Simcoe Region Conservation Authority to effectively implement the Lake Simcoe Protection Act, to improve our watershed; in the process of relocating the canal, enhancing and beautifying the berms with green space and trees; encouraging green technology in our buildings; and increasing our business base, so that more people work in our community, rather than commuting to and from it.
Mosna: All future large commercial, industrial and town structures should be built and equipped with green, energy saving products.
Developers should ensure green space, ravines and 100-year-old tree stands are left in Ward 3 and in all of BWG.
More emphasis should be put back on composting at home if possible, instead of the green bin all the time.
We should put a deposit on bottled water, like at the LCBO, for returning and recycling.
We should get the high school students and the community more involved in energy saving ideas.
We should have a spring and fall litter collection for all of BWG.
Wouldn’t it be nice to be able to pick your own vegetables in the Holland Marsh and pay the farmer directly?
4. Some residents have expressed concerns that new developments, such as the Hwy. 400 employment lands, will negatively affect the Holland Marsh. What will you do to ensure the marsh is protected for future generations?
Lamb: The Holland Marsh is the downstream drainage area for some 70,000 acres in three municipalities including BWG, King and New Tecumseth.
The most obvious threat is floodwaters, such as happened in 1954 when Hurricane Hazel flooded the marsh.
All new developments are required to have flood controls to release water slowly through a system of ponds.
A conservation report recently indicated more trees will also help.
We should also ensure no toxics or chemicals can reach any of our waterways.
The marsh is the recipient of downstream waters that can get into the food chain.
We all can help by not dumping undesirable potions into drainage ditches or storm sewers.
Air quality is also a concern, not only to the marsh, but to all of us.
Whatever we allow into the employment lands needs to be of high quality and low impact.
McCallum: We are already taking steps to protect the marsh, by relocating the canal, a project of the utmost priority.
Establishing the new berms will guard against the risk of flooding.
The employment lands have been mandated to use the newest technology in storm water management ponds, with a view to protecting and preserving the watershed.
We are developing a road management plan to divert traffic from the marsh area.
Mosna: The town has no guarantee of any industry moving to the Hwy. 400 industrial lands.
There are currently industrial sites and structures available north and south of BWG.
In fact, there is a surplus of industrial lands throughout Ontario.
Any small industrial accident on the industrial lands could have enormous environmental effect on the Holland Marsh and the water supply of Ward 3 residents.
I hear the mayor describe the Hwy. 400 industrial lands as our casino.
I am not sure if these lands are our casino, but he is gambling with our future.
It is especially concerning because there is currently no market for creating industrial sites at this time nor in the foreseeable future, yet this town council continues to spend money as though there is.
I believe all residences of Ward 3 have wells.
I am concerned with dense non-aqueous phase liquids that can travel a very long distance, contaminating the residences’ wells.
Listen to the farmers now. They are the experts and stewards of the land.
The Holland Marsh is the past, present and future.
5. How will you ensure the voices of rural residents are heard in a town with a rapidly growing urban population?
Lamb: I have always communicated with the voters. On the street, at a local event or shopping, I have always lent an ear to those who care to raise an issue.
I hosted Bradford Update on Rogers TV for about 18 years and we covered all kinds of people and events in town and in the country.
I wrote a weekly column in the local paper for a number of years.
My number is in the phonebook, 905-775-7433, and my e-mail address is ggary009@sympatico.ca.
On the town website there is also a contact point.
I am considering a website and a newsletter for updates that concern our people.
On a personal note, I won’t be a shrinking violet when it comes to championing Ward 3 issues.
I know the ward and I have no conflicts.
McCallum: My voice is a rural voice.
Every time I speak on an issue, I am the voice of the rural resident.
I believe, however, that the rural and urban citizen do not have to be at odds.
There is an increased social awareness of the importance of eating locally.
I believe the urban citizen wants to preserve the unique agricultural character of our community as much as the rural citizen does.
We are all part of the same community.
I am the only representative of agriculture on council.
I believe my presence at the table is important and I would like to continue to have a place at it.
Mosna: The rural residents in BWG are unique and have their own issues that are different than town issues.
The rural residents need to have an opportunity to voice their issues and concerns.
I recommend a farmers advisory committee that I will meet with regularly.
I will be a strong advocate at council for the farmers and rural issues.