LOOK OUT NORTH PERTH

Okay, for the last 4 years, due to the situation I have been put into, I have had a wonderful education about municipal politics and how it should run. I have learned this by finding out that North Perth does not run that way. I have scarificed alot, taking a stand in what I believe in and have suffered financial losses along the way, among other things. But it would be a waste for me not to make use of what I have learned and I want to put it to some use.
So after much thought about what I have learned and what I believe in and my belief that it truly is time for a change in North Perth, I have decided that I will be filing with the Municipality of North Perth, tommorrow, that I intend to seek the nomination and run for council member for Atwood/Elma Township.
Not sure how many people actually read this but I am sure that you get that I am doing this for the right reason. I look forward to representing the PEOPLE and bringing change to not only North Perth as a whole but helping the town of Atwood develope into the thriving community it should be

IT REALLY IS TIME FOR A CHANGE IN NORTH PERTH

The issue with Emily saving the trees was stuck in my head so I did some research. Back in December the Municipality brought forward a by-law to amend a by -law "WHICH MAY BE CITED AS THE ZONING BY-LAW OF THE MUNICIPALITY OF NORTH PERTH." They passed this off as just being a "housekeeping by-law" and of no real importance, I should know better by now. But if anyone like my self has read it, they would have realized it is a 14 page document that makes many changes in North Perth without consultation, hearings or the knowledge of most taxpayers and some people that it affects. It is not a housekeeping by-law.
To my point about Emily, deep inside the document on page 13 is a paragragh that states in part "That all woodlots that are between 1 hectare(2.47 acres) and 3.99 hectares (9.86 acres in size in the Wallace ward and the Elma ward of the Municipality of North Perth shall be removed from the Agricultural zone and placed in the Natural enviroment Resources Zone 2. By being placed in this zone the permit uses are conservation,forestry and existing uses.
Ironic that they passed this by law but forgot to include Listowel and the woodlots there, or the 6 acre woodlot that Terrier Inc wants to turn into a subdivision Kinda makes you wonder how up and up our Council is. Only time and an election will tell

UPDATE ON PLEE TO SAVE TREES

12 year old Emily Qureshi from Listowel is taking her concerns about a proposed subdivision to the Ontario Municipal Board. She has made an appeal to give Terrier Inc Draft Plan Approval . She is concerned about the impact on the wooded portion of the 6 acre property where the subdivision is planned. Allowing the subdivision to advance goes against North Perth and Perth County by-laws with regards to woodlots. But as alot of us know in North Perth......some can and some can not. Good going Emily, you are a wonderful example for all.

SOMETHINGS TO REMEMBER BEFORE VOTING

In case some people have forgotten some of the things that the sitting council has done during their term here is a list of some of the things I can remember.

-the debt in North Perth has gone frome $3million in debt to $26 million in debt
-illegally constructed an ashpalt recycling plant, spending thousand of dollars only to have to put it back to the farm land that it was
-$80,000.00 crosswalks that are not working and need repair after only a couple years
-an empty industrial park that cost a fortune to service and an investment that did not pay off
-Urbanski fiasco
-several lawsuits
-higher taxes in tough economic times with no regards to tax payers
-inflicting a financial burden to the residents of Atwood for a government mandated sewer project that they did not budget any money for
-the loss of the Campbell Soup plant and 650 jobs
- an expanded dump that is paved
-the loss of many good municipal employees
-questionable conflicts of interest and questionable use of policy and procedure
-the treatment of some taxpayers ie search warrants, stop work orders and the forcing of businesses to close,bullying
-a woodlot that will now be a subdivision against the wishes of tax payers
-poor planning
-lies, corruption,misuse of taxpayers dollars
- eloborate spending on unnecessary municipal buildings, vehicles, cellphones and blackberries
-not voting in the much needed code of conduct

Just to name a few things that I can remember. So if my readers have more, lets get the word out so people do not forget come election time. And this year get out and vote your opinion counts and it is the way to make your opinion known.

HERE ARE A COUPLE MORE DECISIONS MADE BY THIS COUNCIL THAT ARE QUESTIONABLE
-the price paid for a Fire Training Trailer that was to be used in North Perth as well as Perth County, that never leaves Stratford and can not be used in North Perth
- thinking that they needed to buy the Listowel Golf Course, that was not making money but close to bankrupcy
-no money for training the volunteer fireman, but money to build a Fire Department that is way to extravagant
-not allowing the Atwood Firemen, with their own money, to build a necessary shed for storage and when it was partially finished telling them to take it down

GOOD NEWS BAD NEWS

On Monday August 23,2010 another Atwood resident threw his hat into the ring for council. Kenneth Buchanan will also being running for council. I wish all the Atwood candidates Good Luck, we hope you all win. Also on Monday the now Mayor of North Perth, Ed Hollinger, made his intentions known that he intends to and is seeking another term as Mayor.............hence the bad news.

UPDATE ON OFFICIAL PLAN AMENDMENTS

In a previous post on the Amendment issues and the map that did not show the proposed changes to the zoning in Atwood, I have now viewed the Map that was amended for the August 12,2010 Public Meeting held in Stratford. All corrections to the commercial district have been made, except for the building I call the Bee. Atwood can now retain its commercial district and hopefully in the future will be able to expand and become the thriving community we all want it to be. The only thing that will stop the community of Atwood from developing will be the powers that be in Listowel who will still have the final say. At least until the Election this fall when hopefully we get some new people and new ideas with morals and ethics

EXPENSIVE CROSSWALKS

It appears that the $80,000.00 crosswalks that North Perth installed in Listowel have done nothing to make crossing the street in Listowel any easier. Mayor Hollinger is receiving many complaints and feels that nothing else can be done to make crossing the road any safer. He feels that it is up to the pedestrians and drivers to be more responsible for solving the problem, because the police and by-law officer are just to busy. Last I checked, the crosswalks with the long lasting paint job and the expensive emblem are in need of some repair and are starting to look pretty shabby. The paint is starting to peel and are dirty looking. You would think that for the amount of money that was spent it should have lasted longer or worked.... or was the crosswalk really necessary in the first past and just a waste of money

ATWOOD CANDIDATES

Well we have Jeff Bannerman, Robert Martin, Atwood resident Dave Ludington and now Matt Duncan also of Atwood, who has also thrown his hat into the race. Things are looking up but we still need one more person to run to bring some new ideas, stronger support for the people of Atwood and to get rid of part of the old boys club.

LONG OVERDUE RANT

Okay, so I have now read the Master Growth Plan , the Official Plan Amendments and I have come to some very awful conclusions. Under the guise of following policy and procedure it appears that all rules were followed, sort of. Well all the rules that are basic but nothing that would allow the taxpayer the correct information and that just burns my ass. The map that was included with the notices did not show any of the proposed changes being made and many people have no idea what the changes are or what the ramifications will be. Jack and Jill taxpayer do not have the time to read the unbelievable amount of documents needed to make an informed decision on some very important issues within our Municipality, and should not have to. We have elected officials that we entrust with representing us and looking out for our best interests. Shame on the council of North Perth. I hope none of you get voted back in, you should all be ashamed of yourselves. You are not looking out for the taxpayers .....just yourselves. One of the most important things missing in our Municipality at this time is accountability and transparency. The "do not tell them", they will not notice mentality has to stop. These people depend on the fact that no one is paying attention and can pass whatever they want because if no complaints are made.....everything is fine. And then try and change things, not gonna happen. I have personally filed a complaint against the North Perth Offical Plan and the Perth County Offical Plan to protect my property and others. But why should I have to? They should not be able to change any thing about my property without my knowledge and especially without my permission. I have spent 5 years arguing with the Municipality on many issues but the one that got me the most fines is with regards to where the Residential zoning is on my property which is zoned residential and commercial. That is why I bought my property and that long story is on here in older posts. I say it is above building number 1, they say it is building number 2. Now it no longer exist with the new amendments. Come on North Perth ,it is way overdue for a change, make this vote count this year and get rid of the crooked politicians who have got us into so much trouble. Put people in council who care about our communities, are accountable and transparent and are not part of the old boys club that got us here to begin with..... almost bankrupt of money and bankrupt of morals and ethics.
Just my opinion
Sherrie
North Perth Advocate

ATWOOD AND THE NORTH PERTH MASTER GROWTH PLAN

I have now read and digested the over 100 page Master Growth Plan for North Perth and it fully explains to me the Official Plan Amendments to not only to the North Perth Official Plan but also for Perth County. Perth County initiated the Official Plan Amendments but they are based on the Master Growth Plan. I the beginning of the Plan it states that North Perth has an over abundance of certain lands, commercial, industrial and residential. By the end of the Plan they have managed to make the 20 year plan by getting rid of everyone elses commercial, residential and industrial developement. In a nut shell all development that is allowed to take place in North Perth will be directed to Listowel and no where else. It fully explained to me why most of the commercial district of Atwood had disapeared in the new map for the amendments to the Official Plan. All commercial properties that the Municpality of North Perth could get rid of they did. The Gas Station in Atwood is now going to be zoned residential. More in the next post about how irate I am about that. But again Listowel is the supposed king and to hell with Atwood. If you thought Atwood was able to now expand and become a thriving community, guess again. Listowel will not let it happen and is trying everything it can to do that..........................SHAME

NEW CANDIDATE FOR DEPUTY MAYOR

After the last post I thought I would check and found that at 1:27 today August 9, 2010 that a long time resident and previous Mayor Vince Judge has thrown his hat in to the election as Deputy Mayor. (Municipal website) I was not really in the area when he was on council or as Mayor but we can only hope that this is a good thing. Comments on his past record are welcome, is it a good thing ?????? let me know.

NOT SURE WHAT TO THINK

Surprise at tonights council meeting, Councilor Dave Johnson has backed out of the Municipal race stating he needs more time for his family. He was running for Deputy Mayor and now that he is not running, I wonder who will take his place. It really is a shame that most of the useless and crooked municipal politicians will all end up be acclaimed because no one else wants to run. I understand not wanting to be painted with the same shameful brush as the ruling crew but the only way to make change is to be the one making it. And we need more to be doing that.

THIRD TIME IS NOT A CHARM

Again for the third time the Municipality has turned down my request to refund my money for connection to a Municipal well. Previous posts will give you an idea of the nightmare this has been and as stated previously they can file this for every council meeting until they decide to give me my money back. Are you listening council.

ATWOOD, ATWOOD,ATWOOD

For the first time the Municipal Council meeting was held in Atwood to a dismal showing of five people. Come on Atwood, I know how pissed off everyone is about the way that we have been treated by North Perth but if there ever has been a time to show solidarity as the proud people we are this would be the time. The next council meeting is August 23 and it would be great for more people to show up and and not back down from these people.

"If you do not stand for something you will fall for anything" -Malcolm X

HAVE YOUR SAY

OKAY, so I no a few people are reading this and some actually from North Perth so now is the time to have your say. Comment on this post with questions, concerns or issues and even opinions and I will try and see if we can find the answers. There are many issues in North Perth and not just mine and it is time to get them out there. The best way to resolve issues is to talk about them and find solutions, so lets give it a try.