Clearview candidates for mayor and deputy mayor take Q&A
The Creemore Echo posed three questions to the candidates running for mayor and deputy mayor:
1. As county councillor, how would you raise Clearview’s regional profile?
2. What is the best strategy for economic development in Clearview Township?
3. How do you choose between adding services and reducing/maintaining tax rates?
Mayoral candidates
Alicia Savage
1. Over the last eight years, I have worked closely with the mayor and together we have established strong relationships with county staff and council resulting in Clearview’s recognition as a leader in Simcoe. As chair of human services, I have played a key role in policy development, advocacy at the provincial and federal levels, new initiatives in long-term care, housing, paramedic services and other areas as well as actively providing input into all sectors of County responsibilities.
I will continue to build on the strong relationships in place with our neighbouring and regional municipal partners, seeking opportunities to share resources and find synergies. My experience at other county stakeholder organizations such as the Simcoe Muskoka Board of Health, Simcoe County Alliance to End Homelessness, and Simcoe County District School Board Bridges out of Poverty will continue to benefit Clearview directly and indirectly.
2. One of the priorities of the next term of council is to develop an economic development strategy, a task that must include all sectors and stakeholders. Thanks to the recent success of our branding initiative and the funding that has been and can be leveraged as a result, we will be able to define an economic development strategy that has tangible actions and goals. The strategy must define the municipality’s role, specifically as it relates to facilitating development on the newly serviced industrial/commercial lands.
A likely outcome of the strategy will be a focus on supporting our current small business community and creating an environment that will promote new entrepreneurs while ensuring we can maintain and retain mid-size companies as they expand.
We will also be able to capitalize on the County of Simcoe’s ongoing investment in Economic Development including staff resources, county-wide initiatives and dedicated funding.
3. This is the challenge facing all municipalities as other levels of government continue to cut back funding while adding regulations and requirements in addition to downloading more responsibilities. In a growth-based economy like Canada, we have to facilitate new development in order to expand the assessment base simply to maintain the status quo. At some point, however, this becomes unsustainable.
Therefore, we continue to seek out cost savings by utilizing new technology, entering into partnerships and considering service levels. I view taxes as an investment in the quality of life I enjoy in my community, province and country. As investors, residents need assurance that funds are being spent responsibly and so we continue to improve our budget process, accountability and communication.
It will be increasingly difficult to add or increase services in this economic climate so we will have to approach these opportunities cautiously, considering all options including sharing with neighbouring municipalities and determining whether the benefit is worth the investment.
Chris Vanderkruys
1. I would strongly advocate for more fund distribution (from provincial and federal governments) as we struggle with very little industrial and commercial tax base as we are known for our farming community and don’t want to change that. We need the tax base that is from industrial and commercial usage but have not been successful in attracting them and may not as many businesses choose to locate in certain areas and focus on market area models and profit maximizing. We need business leadership and also community leadership tied into one. The leadership group, not just individuals can be drawn from all parts of the community and they can make change happen. Effective leadership is a discipline and a major commitment to action. I will lead Clearview with the help of all residents to create our vision, breaking bottlenecks, establishing tough but achievable goals, and leveraging community interest and involvement.
2. Clearview needs to consider completing township-wide improvement plans such as many of our neighbours have. This will help to identify and develop an incentive program that will offer investment opportunities to public and private companies. This will also ensure that all growth associated with it will create a positive impact on Clearview’s economy and social needs for the future.
3. Reducing taxes is not an option with our challenges we face but we do need to review our staffing levels and ensure our resources are best situated to reflect our current needs and that our spending is justified. We had anticipated much growth since 2010 but many factors have delayed it and now that growth does need to happen to assist covering the costs that we have incurred in planning for it. Many say that our township has been closed for business and the time has come to ensure we are open and ready to grow where possible. We need to ensure that the residents are aware of the spending consistently, and also ensure that residents have more say in the future projects we plan. We need to be more accountable with the dollars raised through taxation and ensure they are being spent and invested with our vision in mind always.
Candidates for deputy mayor
Barry Burton
1. As a county councillor there are decisions that will affect Clearview directly and those that will affect the other townships and towns. It is important that Clearview is seen as having a strong position on issues that affect Clearview directly. As a county councillor I would ensure that major financial decisions are based on strong factual information and are beneficial to the county as a whole. Through our willingness to work with the other members of county council and challenging decisions that are not in the best interest of the County we will demonstrate the leadership of Clearview. By tapping into the unique talents of the people that reside in Clearview we can become known as one of the more innovative members of Simcoe County Council.
2. Clearview needs a strong but realistic economic development plan. By streamlining the financial and bureaucratic obstacle course hindering development we can encourage both residential and commercial development. I want an economic development officer who will be responsible to actively source out potential industrial and commercial opportunities for growth. There is such an amazing collection of people with world-class skills living in Clearview that we need to have a small business committee that can assist and encourage entrepreneurs to start up in Clearview. This committee would also be dedicated to help existing businesses to maintain success. The airport is now a regional airport and a port of entry into Canada. This is a perfect opportunity to take advantage of the airport being in Clearview Township. It will allow international goods to be transported in and out and entice future development in the Airport area.
3. In order to maintain existing services and tax rates we must increase our tax base not property taxes. Only through development is this possible. That is why growth is imperative to bring some financial stability to Clearview. Adding services at this time would be difficult without reviewing and reducing existing operational costs. However, we have some very well educated and experienced staff and together with their input we can find ways to reduce operational costs and reduce budgets. We need to be more innovative in the way we are managing township services and departments. Only by working together with staff will we be able to achieve acceptable solutions.
Larry Culham
1. I believe the profile of Clearview Township is being raised and will continue to be raised by natural market impetus that has been building for the past few years.
But I can accelerate that as deputy mayor and county councillor. Clearview benefits directly from strong advocacy at the County Council and I have the skills, experience and commitment to make that happen.
We can build on the momentum by using the office of the deputy mayor to champion our “brand”.
Right here, we have agricultural innovation in genetics, medicinal cannabis production, community supported agriculture, wine and hops production and more.
The township and partner agencies are using provincial grants deliver new community development.
Our multi-use trail system that is emerging as a destination network.
The work with Creemore Springs to preserve the local streetscape has elicited widespread acclaim.
I know every corner of this community. If elected, I’ll continue to promote Clearview’s best.
2. I think the best strategy for municipal government is to remove obstacles and then get out of the way.
Reality says our approach has to be lawful, organized, planned and thoughtful so that our communities remain sustainable.
I think we need to work on several fronts at the same time.
But I know we can create livelihoods in the community fastest when we first encourage the growth and development of existing small businesses.
In addition, we’ve got to leverage the newly serviced industrial lands to go after new job generators for Clearview.
I’ve been a member of the Economic Development Committee for three years and the work on marketing these assets is beginning.
The development of a tourism strategy that leverages partnerships is a third important opportunity.
I’ll dig in to ensure that Clearview moves forward.
3. The people decide, through their elected council, which services we want, how they will be delivered and how they are paid for.
I want to have confidence that waste, duplication and inefficiencies are in check. And if elected I can revisit the issue with council colleagues and staff.
Then it will come down to values. The choices have a historical context and we will have to plan out into the future so that our descendants will still want to live here too.
Adding or eliminating services will have a direct impact not just on the tax rate but also on people’s lives.
Higher taxes or lack of services will make our communities less desirable places to live.
Ultimately there will be a lot of factors and not a great deal of “wiggle room”.
If elected, I have the ability to analyze the data, research the approaches, formulate the solutions and find the balance the people will support.
