QUESTIONS FOR CANDIDATES

WHAT IS YOUR OPINION ON A NEW RECREATION CENTRE BEING BUILT IN LISTOWEL?
I think that more thought should have been put into the recreation complex many years ago and if the need was there, then budgeting for it should have happened. Planning to build such a large complex without any funding available is not logical and is a waste of time. Even if funding covers most of the cost to build it, it will still be on the backs of taxpayers to keep it running including taxpayers who will not be using it. Taxpayers money is already being spent on this endeavour and this should not have been done until North Perth was in a better financial position. I also think the location is wrong and that it should be centrally located to allow children to walk to the arena and not have to be driven everytime.

HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT THE AUTOMATED WASTE COLLECTION PROGRAM BEING PROPOSED FOR NORTH PERTH?
I do not feel that the automated garbage system for North Perth is neccessary. It has not been requested by the taxpayers and many oppose it including me. It has not been researched enough and I do not feel it will have any cost savings at all, but will increase taxes. I do not create alot of garbage and do not want to keep my garbage for weeks at a time especially in summer. I also do not think it is fair to ask our elderly to haul such large containers, especially in winter. It was a poorly thought out idea.

WHAT WOULD YOU DO TO BRING MORE TRANSPARENCY TO COUNCIL, AND IS A CODE OF CONDUCT PART OF THAT ?
A code of conduct is absolutely neccessary for North Perth. It is neccessary for government to be open, honest, accountable and transparent to the taxpayers who elected them to work for the people. Several issues in the past , including conflict of interest issues, would have been avoided if the rules were clear and concise and were being followed. The code of conduct that was previously submitted to council was a good document and should have been implemented by council. More people may attend council meetings if they felt they were welcome to be part of the process and that their views were bing listened to.

HOW WOULD YOU FACILITATE FUTURE GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT IN NORTH PERTH?
Future growth for North Perth needs to be done in a more logical process that takes into account the huge debt left from the previous council and all of North Perth not just Listowel. Other parts of North Perth also need to be locked at for future develpoment to make loogical use of all of North Perth. High taxes will hinder any expansion of business. This and other issues makes North Perth not business friendly. We have an empty, unneccessary industrial park that was a waste of money and we should be supporting our existing businesses and encouraging them to expand. Our Economic Development Department through Perth County has done a good job defining what is needed but due to the economy it should be updated.

AS A MEMBER OF COUNCIL, HOW WOULD YOU APPROACH THE PROJECTED $21 MILLION DEBT THE MUNICIPALITY IS FACING?
It is unfortunate that the previous council put the municipality into such a huge debt and have locked the municipality into future, expensive projects. This will make it hard for the next council to make many decisions but the most important decision should be to get the debt down. It is time that North Perth live within its means, like the taxpayers have been forced to do and if cuts are neccessary then they need to be done. Excess needs to be stopped and any future spending must be absolutely neccessary and not more of a fincial burden to the over taxed citizens of North Perth. All in an effort to finally give the taxpayer a tax break instead of more increases.

WHAT SERVICES IN NORTH PERTH WOULD YOU ADD TO OR IMPROVE UPON?
Unfortunately with the huge debt improving services in North Perth can not be done unless it can be done without any money. Past experience has shown me that the Municiaplity could do a better job with customer service, access to information and applying the rules fairly and consistantly to all. It will take creative ways to improve services without any money but it can be done. Our service clubs have always been good at improving the community and they should be continued to be supported