Saugeen Shores candidates for council face some tough questions from a packed public forum

Town Council

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The first all-candidates meeting in Rotary Hall at the Port Elgin Plex was filled almost to capacity with residents who came out to hear what the candidates had to say.

During the question-and-answer period, the major concerns raised were the wind turbine energy issue, the Saugeen Shores waterfront improvement, affordable housing and economic development for the municipality.

John Mann, a local resident and solicitor, voiced his concern that democracy at the local level was being lost and he asked what the candidates would be prepared to do if elected to ensure democracy was being carried out, with particular reference to wind turbine installations.

Incumbent Mayor Mike Smith  agreed that the Green Energy Act (GEA) in particular had taken away the rights of the municipalities to make their own decisions regarding wind turbine sightings.  "We continue to lobby the government because municipalities throughout Bruce and Grey Counties are unhappy with the process that is taking place."

The other candidates also agreed that the decision making process has been lost at the municipal level and government lobbying must continue.

Incumbent Deputy Mayor Doug Freiburger expressed his discontent with the province and its GEA.  "It's quite simple," he said.  "Anything that a higher tier of government does to tell local government what it can do in its their own municipality, is wrong.  We must be able to make our own decisions about where we live."

When it came to questions about the waterfront and the issue of putting a Master Plan in place, Councilor and challenger for the Mayor's seat, Victoria Serda, reminded everyone that several years ago there had been a Master Plan and a Waterfront Advisory Committee.

"That Master Plan was turned down by council and the Waterfront Advisory Committee was disbanded.  We do need a plan because, in the long run, planning can save money in the future."  Other candidates agreed that a study should be done with a view to establishing another Master Plan. 

Freiburger however, spoke adamantly against hiring an outside consultant. "We have expertise right here in the community," he said, "and I do not agree with paying an outside consultant thousand of dollars to sell information, that we know, back to us.  We have expertise in our own back yard and all we have to do is ask."

Local resident, Laura Robinson, pointedly asked the mayoralty and deputy-mayor candidates how they would improve on safety of crosswalks for children and the elderly and also the safety of the Rail Trail crossing on Hwy. 21.

Victoria Serda said that perhaps the Rail Trail routing could be changed to run parallel to the highway and then cross at an actual crossing with lights near The Plex intersection.

Mike Smith said he felt some of the crosswalks actually created a feeling of false security for pedestrians.  He also explained that the municipality had no jurisdiction over the stretch of highway in question because it was under provincial jurisdiction.

While there were many more questions for the candidates, all agreed that it was encouraging to see so many residents come out to hear what the candidates had to say.

Ken Robertson, President of the Southampton Residents Association (SRA), then took the opportunity to tell everyone that there will be a second all-candidates meeting on October 9 in the morning at the Bruce County Museum and Cultural Centre.

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Sunday, September 26, 2010