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Challenger for Deputy Mayor feels it is time for change |
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Councilor Luke Charbonneau feels it is time for a change and is ready to bring new ideas to the position of Deputy Mayor.
Luke Charbonneau "I don't think it's good enough to say 'I've been on Council for a long time...' , but instead, what ideas do you have for the future of the community?" He feels it is time to bring new ideas to the table for the 21st Century and has several main areas that he is concerned about.
I would like to see the town hire an Economic Development Officer and it has been something that has been discussed at every level of administration. We also have keep a tight control on taxes.
"Here, again, I think we absolutely need a waterfront master plan and I propose that some of the funding in the Parks and Trails' $400,000 capital spending budget be allocated to the waterfront initiative. As far as I am concerned, the waterfront and beaches have the biggest economic impact on the region's tourism and yet we only spend approximately $35,000 on the beaches."
Charbonneau spearheaded the downtown improvement initiative for Port Elgin. "We have to look at improving the infrastructure of the downtown core to get people passing through to stop and want to stay. The key thing is to get benefits to the business owners in Port Elgin. Southampton Streetscape already has done so much and has so much going for it (the town). In my mind, downtown cores are actually parks as well as the centre of the economy. It's been approximately 30 years since Port Elgin's downtown has been looked at while Southampton quietly goes ahead on is own improvements.
"My main concern is the safety of the Rail Trail at the Highway 21 crossing. Council needs to do a better job to put it on the agenda of the Parks and Trails Committee. We want to continue this excellent Trails loop but this is definitely one of our big 'Achilles' heels'.
"I think there are areas in reserve funds that can now be eliminated or reduced in order to reduce taxes. For the 2010 budget, we should do away with unnecessary reserve transfers. We have a reserve fund, for instance, for bridges where money ($135,000) is going in every year but there are so many unanswered questions ... what bridges, how many? Perhaps, some of that money could be better used elsewhere. We have nearly $5Million in Capital Reserves and another $5Million in Westario. I agree we have to keep a reserve fund but I think there are monies that can be used now."
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Charbonneau also said that he disagrees with the almost 'automatic' wage increases for council. "I have opposed this every year, particularly, given the downturn in the economy. I know it's only three per cent and it's not a lot of money but Council needs to lead by example. The only way we can ask town employees to forego a raise is if we (council) do it. I have tried over the past four years to control those increases and will keep doing it." Heading into the 2010 election, Charbonneau said one thing he doesn't like to see is leadership that is acclaimed. "A council is the interface between the public and the town administration," says Charbonneau, "and the Mayor is the voice of the people. We need direction from the electorate and we need to give that direction to the town staff." When it comes to youth and younger people, Charbonneau adds that he would like to see issues raised that they can relate to and to communicate through methods that appeal to the younger generation. Charbonneau is owner of Hi-Berry Farms in Saugeen Shores and is married with a young son.
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