Community plan under way

Kincardine Council

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What community values do you, as a citizen, believe will help shape the future of our municipality? That's the first question on the survey now being circulated throughout the Municipality of Kincardine as the first step in drawing up a new community plan.

Mayor Larry Kraemer says the municipality needs to update its original strategic plan which was done in 2004. That plan included consultation with the public and brought about decisions on projects such as streetscape improvements, the new soccer complex, eliminating turbidity issues with the drinking water, and Davidson Centre upgrades.

"Now, it's five years later and we are embarking on the communication process throughout the municipality, soliciting our constituents on ideas to improve things in Kincardine," says Kraemer.

The survey is printed on a bright blue piece of paper and is being mailed out to all residents. On it are four questions. Besides the first one about community values, it asks the following:

*What type of community do you dream of for the Municipality of Kincardine in the future (e.g. green community, post-secondary opportunities, available health care, safe community)?
*What actions do you think will help us move closer to this future (e.g. enhanced recycling program, on-line education, hospital expansion, neighbourhood watch program)?
*Any other suggestions for community improvement?

Completed surveys can be dropped off at the municipal office, tourism office, Kincardine Library, Davidson Centre, Kincardine Community Medical Clinic, Tiverton Library, Cottage Grocery, Tiverton Kwik Way, Foodland, Sobeys and Zehrs. The deadline is September 4th.

The municipality is getting the survey out now in order to include all area seasonal residents, says Kraemer.

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04/08/2009 10:07 PM

You can fill out the survey electronically, on-line at the Municipality of Kincardine website at www.kincardine.net. "We're also going to attempt a Facebook page to increase dialogue," says Steve Murray, economic development and tourism manager. "We're open to any suggestions," says Kraemer. "How do you know what the people want if you don’t ask them?"

He says over the past five years the demographics of the municipality have changed, with new people coming to live here.
"The questions are designed to elicit general or specific responses," he says. 'We might find that people come up with things we haven't thought of."

Kraemer says the municipality could get suggestions on policies and procedures and how to improve the delivery of services.

After September 4, the municipality will hold a series of open houses, with staff and council present to encourage discussion of the various ideas presented in the surveys. "Our various committees will also be looking at any suggestions pertaining to their departments," says Kraemer.
Staff will then take all the information and compile it into a recommendation to council in early 2010, he says.

"We had good results from our last strategic plan," he says. "We completed 60-70 per cent of the list of things that came out of that plan. We're hoping to get a good response rate for this community plan. Perhaps there will be suggestions on what to do with the Ward 1 landfill site once it's closed in 2010-11. There are 10 acres of property there that can be used for passive purposes. Or maybe someone will present an idea we haven't thought of."

"This is direct interaction with your local government," says Murray. He urges people to participate in the survey and make their suggestions known.

Kraemer adds that during council discussion there will be debate about the possibility of creating a four-year community plan which would coincide with the municipal council term.