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Home My WebLink AboutClinton News Record, 2014-01-08, Page 22 News Record • Wednesday, January 8, 2014 Central Huron Council weighs in on 2013, looks to 2014 Clinton News -Record It's been a year of struggle and success for Central Huron Council, and 2014 promises to bring more of the same. The News -Record sent five ques- tions to each councilor, talking about where we went in 2013 and where we are going in the year ahead. Answers ranged from solar panels to REACH to accountability, representing a large swath of work ahead for 2014. Spoiler alert - we also asked if they planned to run in this year's municipal election. MAYOR JIM GINN What was council's biggest suc- cess of 2013? I think the biggest success for council was the installation of the solar panels on the roofs of REACH and CHCC. They will create a non - tax revenue source for the munici- pality and once paid off will relieve taxpayers of the burden of paying for these buildings What was council's biggest challenge of this past year and what is the biggest challenge in the comingyear? The biggest challenge each year is trying to maintain a reasonable tax level when expenses out of our control (ie: insurance costs, polic- ing costs, new legislated require- ments) increase all the same time as provincial grants decrease What is one regret you have from council in 2013? (Or, what would you do differently in retrospect?) In retrospect I would change the way I communicated to council and the public regarding the vote on the 'septic re -inspection' issue. While I believe my decision was correct considering the uniqueness of the situation (county imposed deadline, last council meeting before deadline council split four to four) I should have explained this before the meeting What is your top personal pri- ority on council for 2014? My top personal priority for this year is to congratulate Alice Munro in person for her outstanding career and for winning the prestigious Noble Prize for Literature and the recognition and pride she has brought to Central Huron Are you going to run for office again in 2014? (Why/why not?) Since I have now reached the age at which my father passed away I think I owe it to my family to have a complete medical before I decide. DEPUTY MAYOR DAVE JEWITT What was council's biggest suc- cess of 2013? One of Council's biggest accom- plishments in 2013 was moving for- ward with the solar project on the CHCC and REACH buildings. This will ensure a revenue stream for Central Huron for the length of the project. What was council's biggest challenge of this past year and what is the biggest challenge in the comingyear? The biggest challenge for Council is the lack of clarity surrounding the issue of de -amalgamation of Goderich Township and it will remain an issue in the coming year. There is a great deal of obfuscation surrounding the issue, which has clouded Council's ability to address the concerns. What is one regret you have from council in 2013? (Or, what would you do differently in retrospect?) I regret that there are a number of ratepayers that feel disconnected from the political process in Central Huron. In retrospect, Council has to utilize technology and other availa- ble means to be as inclusive and all encompassing as possible in engag- ing the public. Citizen advisory groups for issues which broadly affect the community, roving Town Hall meetings in each of the wards, youth advisory groups and interac- tive and intuitive computer pro- grams on the Municipal website are options which could be considered. What is your top personal pri- ority on council for 2014? My personal prioritywould be to continue to address REACH as an ongoing financial concern for the Municipality. There needs to be a well defined strategic and business plan which clearly outlines bench- marks and parameters for contin- ued Municipal support. Are you going to run for office again in2014? (Why/why not?) Yes I intend on running for Dep- uty Mayor. I believe that there remains much work to be done to position Central Huron for the future. Council needs to continue to address and promote the con- cept of a strategic plan, which clearly outlines our goals and aspirations. COUNCILOR DAN COLQUHOUN What was council's biggest suc- cess of 2013? Keeping Clinton Slots and Race- track going for the next four years. What was council's biggest chal- lenge of this past year and what is the biggest challenge in the coming year? The Reach position. What is your top personal pri- ority on council for 2014? We need to get REACH in a bet- ter position. ATTENTION ADVERTISERS! DEADLINES Our Weekly Deadlines are as follows: ADVERTISING & EDITORIAL Friday @ 2:00 pm dews Record 53 Albert St. S, Clinton PH: 519-482-3443 www.dintonnewsrecord.com OFFICE HOURS: Mon. - Fri. 9am - 5pm CLOSED TUESDAYS Are you going to run for office again in 2014? (Why/why not?) Have not made up my mind. COUNCILOR MARG ANDERSON What was council's biggest success of 2013? Finally getting the land/service agree- ment with Goderich signed. This is some- thing that was in the process long before amalgamation. What was council's biggest challenge of this past year and what is the biggest chal- lenge in the coming year? Having the first and second reading of our procedural by-law complete and hop- ing that the residents that attended and brought forward concerns about the by-law feel that they have been heard. The budget is always a challenging proc- ess. We have to come up with an affordable, sustainable budget and staywithin it. What is one regret you have from coun- cil in 2013? (Or, what would you do dif- ferently in retrospect?) Something I am going to try to do differ- ently is to follow up and make sure that people get answers to their questions/con- cems in a timely fashion. This is something we need to be better at doing. What is your top personal priority on council for 2014? To continue to represent the people of Central Huron to the best of my ability. Are you going to run for office again in 2014? (Why/why not?) At this point in time I am not sure what I will do. Many things can happen between now and the lime when papers need to be filed. COUNCILOR AUSON LOBB What was council's biggest success of 2013? The increased commitment to economic development in a partnership with the BIA and the success of the Amazing Race in September. Also, the recent addition of a Question Period early in the Council Agenda so ratepayers can bring their com- ments to our attention prior to decision making What was council's biggest challenge of this past year and what is the biggest challenge in the comingyear? Economics is always the biggest chal- lenge for any Council. Costs are constantly increasing - for policing, staffing, materials, absolutely everything. We have increasing demands on our services and staff, with limited resources. What is one regretyou have from coun- cil in 2013? (Or, what would you do differently in ret- rospect?) I feel that the attempts during 2013 on municipal strategic planning seemed to end up sidelined with crisis issues. I hope we can move ahead in 2014 by using the designated time and by managing to get community input. What is your top personal priority on council for 2014? Addressing the issue of utilizing the REACH Centre appropriately... whatever that ends up being. Second, is seeing that we develop some recreational program- ming for seniors - a broad range of options. Are you going to run for office again in 2014? (why/why not?) Yes, I would like to run for Council again. It takes a lot of time and energy, but for the most part you feel like you're providing a useful, necessary service. Somebody has to be willing to take on that responsibility. COUNCILOR BURKHARD MERGER What was council's biggest success of 2013? I don't think we had any "big successes" but some good achievements. The previ- ously deemed unachievable early budget process has been implemented and is more timely now. Our working relationship with the CCHBIA has improved and some great community events saw their second (run) or inaugural events (amazing race). Solar projects on the REACH and CHCC build- ings moved into the construction phase and CH was able to realize significant capi- tal savings by moving from a lease to an ownership solution and take advantage of a significant drop in hardware pricing. What was council's biggest challenge of this past year and what is the biggest challenge in the comingyear? 2013: A REACH business plan, structure, ongoing municipal support required and lack of public support. Some councillors and residents still live in a pre -amalgama- tion world, we failed to represent Central Huron as a whole and get stuck the Clinton vs. Hullet vs. Goderich township game. In the last 4 months council meetings were pretty much a waste of time, with some councillors taking any and all opportunities to obstruct anything and everything, CONTINUED > PAGE 6 BRIDES - SAVE THEIDATE! 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