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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1976-12-02, Page 22'PAGE 0A—GODERICH SIGNAL -STAR, THURSDAY DECEMBER 2, 1976 Natural to analyse . • • • ' • • , , . • BEN GRAHAIVI .... proprietor of electrical business Mr. Graham declined a Signal -Star offer to answer a sat of questions put to all , candidates for town council. rESA.,HAYDON 1.... housewife Gbweri . I - • (continued frompage 8A) promise, one man is not capable of fulfilling a promise. He must answer to and get support from eight others on council. I must point out that the paving f Suncoast Drive w s scheduled for 1976,- b through budget restraints and -- uncompleted preliminary work by the developer nec- cessitated the work to be postponed until 1977. In retrospect the town has berifikfitted by the delay. Suncoast Drive will now qualify for a subsidy, thereby reducing the town's cost burden. The development south .of' Suncoast will also help to offset the'tax cost to the municipality. Since assuming the'pOsition as chairman of Works and Engineering my first priority was to develop a five year road program for the Town of Goderich with an alternate five year -program. Improvements, cannot be made all at once but as budget allows and on a systematic projected plan. Projects completed in '75, '76 paving, curbs ana gutters Eldon Street, Britannia Road to Sunset; Vincent Street, McDonald. Street', Blake Street, Waterloo and Nelson paving. Storm sewers, Waterloo and Nelson Street, Raglan, 'South and Keays Street. There is 'a, plan. instituted . -that will tentatively set project's over the next five years. What special abilities If expenditures had to be. cut during the coming term of would you bring to the council council where would you • table? Many people have excellent economize? Harbor, airport, abilities; the extent of ap- parks, works and engineering plying them makes a dif- or other areas? First I would want to see ference. Special? I am an ordinary what the specific) ex - person whose aim iti. is topenditureare in each , make sure that a whole lot of categoryp before I am ordinary people, of different *prepared to take a stand. For . lifestyles, would be heard and instance, if there is urgent respected. I have no personal need to upgrade the harbour political ambition beyond facilities, I would weigh it representing people in a against the requirements of a manner in w.hich I would like • proposed major project for to be represented. the airport. In the works and I believe I have these engineering budget I would useful , qualifications for the task: personallyleave out • the Being completely Highway 21 South widening in in-, dependent, from any favour of building sewers special interest group I am , • where there aren't anY. So. it sUbject tany degree of depends on the. nature and o direct or indirect private . urgency of specific projects . rather than generalizing • 0 • • interest pressures. ndtistrialists looking at I have a natural inclination about categories., • 4. Supplied and.set-viced by M ,Loeb Limited i However, as traditionally • GOderich would also be aware to_analyse, reason and look at a of our plans. " re enough council . the whole of something ,in- there I feel somewhat responsible stead of allowing myself to be members paying more at - for not pushing more pushed into hastily arranged •tention to some categories others, I have alwaysthought and shrugging off someadamantly for this. • The decisions or being cornered future council must develop by crisis situations. it is essential that somebody this Master plan to deter the If -Cornered by a crisis should promote and upgrade pressure being placed on . situation I am not a ."fence - the neglected areas and fight them now. sitter''. I prefer to face. the for the underdog, particularly There are several projects music 'grid have it all Over as at times an underdog that are in the developmental with, the good and the bad out subject at the council table stage such as the widening,pf in the open, so that W'e can may be one of much higher Highway 21, the N.I.P.- turn our attention to the next •4( priority with •• the public in (Neighborhoci Improvement task. general. Program), land' acquisition... Controversy does not alarm for road - e•xtens ion, me. I do not find it difficult 'to • Do you feel that the'. revitalization Of the core take a stand, al,one, if • Ministry. of Transportation area, general upgrading , of necessary, and I always tell and' Communication's services, enlattement of the you •my reasons so that you recommend% design • for the pollution control plant; a new • can judge my values. At widening of Highway 21 water tower and acquisition '• times an individual's solitary through Goderich is the. best of the water treatment plant. stand will bring into focus With all these„: items being some aspect of' a situation pbssible solution? NO, I don't: I • have never ' very much evident, it which may have, escaped our been in favour of this project behooves the new council to serious attention otherwise. and I fail to recognize even adopt or at ' least begin to I do not sulk. When 'the ' adopt- the aforementioned "fight" is over (won or lost) I the urgency of the problemin proportion' to, the . town's mater plan. approach people and subjects • overall requirements. • The quality of life.we enjoy with a clean slate. Ido not now and the quality of life we have personal feuds. . . want for • our. future I haye great respect for the generations to enjoy must be office of local government as Drive would be paved iduring protected-. by strict .control well as ' longstanding the 1975-76 term. This has not and the implementation of a . dedication to cOmpalete be: donei, The inaugural master plan. Let' s 'have openness in council work. On address also said the main , growth at a reasonable and ' the surface this sentiment planned constant, not growth• May sound 'overworked, but priority for the 75-79 term. would be road improvement: at all costs. . , ,. • allow me to remind you that Do you think this promise has at important portion of work been fulfilled? Where - does ."- Do you feel public par- is still • being done behind .been imprOv ement- stand In. ticipation is desirable? If so. closed, doors in 'the 'County what would you d,o to increase and the Board of Education the order of priorities for the • new term? • - • public participation in .. the business on our b.ehalf. One .• In Ontario,, a • Mayor's • affairs of the inunicipality? cannot take -things- for 4 inaugural ' or olher..specir. it I'ni not sue that the public. granted. ' ,. .. promises amount to a nic 7., wants more participation. In These are son.' of: the gesture.. of ceremony. Fig' hs the last eight years very few, qualifications I attribute to the same one vote as any have, attended council or . myself. You an judge frorn other committee meetings. . my six years :of council work —other council member. He Perhaps a survey could. be whether I am ° on the right— must "sell" his ,idea -to the majoritof-council-inerribers done to • see how much the track. Y first arid then there must be' public really wants to par-• . . . ney to- Implement ticipate. '• •Do you, as a candidate, feel ' enough money The Signal Star has kept the you'have the time necessary any undertaking in the usual At present assessment in Goderich stands at bout 60 percent residential and 40 percent commercial. Ideally this—should be reversed. How could thii be achieved? , Simply more industrial and commercial growth and no More -residential deli -land, as. the taxation basis stands now. The provincial government sets the assessment on both residential and commercial properties. •." Perhaps 'When ' taxation based on market value is implemented a more equitable tax 'base will be achieved. The government, realizing this could become a political football has arbitrarily delayed this action to the expense of the residential tax t base. In what terms do you see Goderich 20 years from now? How, during the upcoming term, can. the new council prepare for the future in terms of long range financial planning, servicing, tran- sportation, land acquisition, ete.? - - - Looking at the projected growth rates the population will probably be 10,000 in 20 years. The new council will have, to develOp a master plan for the Town of Goderich to accommodate the growth and development in an orderly. • manner. In council'I have talked on numerous occasions about the development of such a plan so that not only present councils but also future councils would know where they're going and all residents and prospective The Mayor's inaugural address promised Suncoast MAPLE LEAF 3-4 LB. SWEET PICKLED . •, public informed and aware of to attend all meetings of manner. what council is dping and council and its committees To make his inaugural address more meaningful a what is taking place in the • and to be in attendance - community. If that is not during the whole of these mayor could consult, the council -elect beforehand, to enough all one has to do is meetings?• attend a few meetings -or Yes, definitely. I feel that obtain a'better idea of how contact the elected officials. full participation is most sympathetic the majority One assumes that the important. I have no patience may be to his plans and majority of residents is either With council members who visions. satisfied with the present are exceedingly busy with I am not trying to reduce of the council or is apathetic. their business or personal the importance affairs and, with some degree -mayor's position, but in order Can citizens fully and ac- of impatience, give only to , understand the Ontario eurately understand the fragmentary attention to local government system and dealings of council through council matters. We • seek to function within'. it ef- council positions freely, elected) it is very important • the local press? • No. Not *completely. They nature does not place it upon to put this frequently . • fectively (as electors or should attend meetings andus, therefore we should be misunderstood basic pr in - become more involved to ' prepared to give it all the • ciple into proper focus that fully understand and ap- time and energy the work although a mayor can inspire preciate the work,of council. requires. There is no other a council, he has no real Space dictates that the press way to be an effective council . power over it and his position deal in generalities not total member. discussions verbatim. The (continued on page 14A) background work, dealings,. and discussions that evolve in a decision are not normally reported by the press. The responsibility to inform • is not totally up to the press but partly up to the citizen who must exercise his responsibility in keeping himself informed: I wonder` if most people are as informed . as they wish to be? Whai motivates you to seek election to Goderich Town • Council? . My motivation 'is to maintain and improve the quality of life in Goderich and to have a direct input into decisions affecting it. RE-ELECT WILLIAM K.BOGIE COLBORNE TWP. COUNCIL YOUR SUPPORT AT THE POLLS ON DECEMBER 6TH WOULD BE APPRECIATED No. 1 No., 1 • KERR CADILLAC THE LARGEST CADILLAC, PONTIAC BUICK, GMC TRUCK VOLUME DEALERSHIP ON • THIS EARTH WHY! Contact Larry Siemon Our transportatiim specialist AT. (416) 845.T1681 • SPECIAL '76 CORVETTE Fully loaded, power windows, am -fm stereo 8 track tape, luggage rack, four ipeed manual transmission, buckskin leather interior, white exterior. $8795.° KERR CADILLAC PONTIAC BUICK LTD. 410 South Service Road West OAKVILLE, ONTARIO L6,I SC1 MEDIUM GROUND For Your Home Freezer CANADA GRADE A CHUCKS of BEEF 60-90 LBS. CUT & WRAPPED