The Creemore Echo invited candidates running for council in Clearview Township to answer the following three questions in 100 words or less. Here are their answers (in alphabetical order):

Questions for mayoral candidates:

1. What do you consider to be the mayor’s most important duty and how will you execute it effectively?

2. What is your stance on strong mayor powers and how would you use them?

3. What can be done at the lower tier municipal level to address a lack of housing options for seniors, and middle- to low-income earners who cannot find affordable housing in Clearview Township?

ROBERT MCARTHUR

1. I believe the mayor’s most important duty is to listen to the people of Clearview and make sure their voices are heard at the council table.

A mayor needs to bring people together, work respectfully with council and staff, and then follow through on the commitments made to the community. For me, listening isn’t just about hearing concerns — it is about understanding them, finding practical solutions and communicating back to residents about what can be done.

I also believe the mayor needs to be accessible. When residents call their municipal office, they should be able to talk to a person and know that their concern will be heard. My approach will be straightforward: listen, work together, make responsible decisions, and follow through.

2. Strong mayor powers are now part of the reality of municipal government in Clearview, but I believe that every decision should be a council decision.

The powers give the mayor additional tools, particularly when it comes to advancing housing and other provincial priorities. But having additional authority does not mean I, as mayor, should stop listening to council, staff or the public.

I would use those powers when they are necessary to move an important community priority forward, while continuing to work collaboratively with council and being transparent with residents about decisions made under those powers. Strong powers should come with strong accountability.

3. We need to build more housing, but we also need to build the right kinds of housing.

Clearview needs more options for seniors who want to downsize and remain in the community, as well as for working people, young families and residents living on fixed or modest incomes.

At the municipal level, we can make sure our planning and zoning policies encourage smaller homes, apartments, secondary units and other forms of attainable housing. I would encourage council to direct the planning department to reduce as much red tape as possible. We can also work with developers, non-profit organizations, the county and other levels of government to find opportunities for affordable rental and seniors’ housing.

DOUG MEASURES

1. The mayor of Clearview is the head of council. Simply put, the role is the chair of the council meetings with a responsibility to the public that reaches beyond the council chambers. Creating solid working relationships with all members of council is a key to a successful term as mayor.

Council will know that the mayor is serving as the balance between staff recommendations and the objectives of council. Many times as mayor, I have had to push back on staff reports to support a council decision, and will continue to lead a supportive role while keeping our municipality progressing.

2. Strong mayor powers are not complicated. The mayor is the CEO of the corporation and must remain connected to the public and council to support democracy. I have had to use the strong mayor powers on two occasions; first to assign the reporting and accountability of senior staff to the mayor and council. And second to move the timelines on a study that initiated the expanded settlement boundary of Stayner. A study that would have taken an estimated two years, was changed to 90 days with a unanimous council resolution. Consider these mayoral tools as clubs in the golf bag; use your five iron with caution.

3. Clearview staff and council members actively participate with the County of Simcoe on affordable housing issues. From the office of the mayor, I have taken a strong stand with local housing developers during meetings where they share their vision of a new neighbourhood. New home builds are often out of reach for a first time buyer. Many families need rental units, while these are few in our community. There are private building lots available with servicing to develop duplex and four-plex style buildings. These are supported in our official plan update and are options for private land owners today. Partnerships with Habitat for Humanity have seen many great projects in Stayner.