My Comments at the Chamber of Commerce Candidates' Event

Thank you for being here and taking an active interest in local democracy and thanks to the chamber for organizing it.

I’m a first-time candidate, but no stranger to the political process. In my 20 year career in journalism, I’ve put the questions to candidates and councillors, MPs and MPPs, wardens and mayors, even a general or two. I’ve been getting answers to the questions you would ask.

Collingwood needs a town council that is curious, keen,
and eager to embrace the future while honouring our past and taking care of the natural beauty that makes this place such a treasure.

I will vote to implement all the recommendations that come from the judicial inquiry, I’ll work to find a way to use and keep the terminals, and I’ll vote to be reasonable and responsible with your tax dollars.

But remember, you’re not just choosing a council based on the issues that we are discussing during this campaign season, you’re picking people you trust to make decisions on issues that haven’t been identified yet.

It’s important to have at the table the perspective of people like me, who walked the halls of CCI, who saw a side launch with their very own eyes, and who paid their tuition by working at places like Harding Carpets.

It’s also important to have the perspective of people who, like me, made a deliberate choice to live here, just like thousands of your fellow citizens and the thousands who are on their way.

You have heard my voice on CKCB, "dominant news voice of Simcoe County". For nearly a decade you heard my voice on 680 News and CHFI in Toronto. The last 11 years, you heard my voice questioning local leaders and decision makers at the radio station down the street.

Now, no matter where you’re from, I can be your voice at the council table, continuing to ask the hard questions and getting answers so our decisions are based on facts.

Questions from a Citizens' Group

More questions and more answers!

The group, Save our Shorelines Collingwood is interested in where I stand on some of their concerns:


1.) In order of priority how would you rank the top five (5) priorities for the Town of Collingwood over the next 4 years?

I think we will need to deal with the recommendations of the Judicial Inquiry, which will be getting underway immediately after the election. We have ongoing questions about growth, affordable accommodation, the terminals, and how to pay for our infrastructure and other needs in a responsible way. Some good work has been done regarding planning, but plans need to be followed by action.

2.) Much has been said recently about the need for greater “Transparency” in how the Town conducts its affairs. What changes do you think are necessary to improve transparency in how Council, and Town staff, make decisions?

Some work has been done on this file already with the updated code of conduct and the Integrity Commissioner position. There will no doubt be more to come, depending on the outcome of the Judicial Inquiry. I will support the new IT services that are being brought in, which are designed to improve communication between the town hall and citizens.

3.) What is your position on inter-governmental cooperation between the Town and its neighbouring municipalities (e.g. the Town of Blue Mountains, Clearview and Wasaga Beach) and where and how do you think such cooperation would most benefit Collingwood?I support ongoing improvements and increased conversation between Collingwood and our neighbouring municipalities.

I don't know that those relationships are in trouble, particularly, although I understand there may have been some personality conflicts in the recent past. Building communication channels, even informal ones, is a key to keeping those relationships good.

4.) Collingwood is under intense development pressure like it has never seen before in
its history. What increased complexities and pressures do you think this presents, and how will you ensure the Town’s planning and building departments are equipped to address them? Are there any additional skills and experience you feel are required to manage these pressures?

We have been designated a growth node, so our population is going to grow regardless, which means we need to be sure we have the staff in place to give good advice and place legal and reasonable restraints on future developments. As I understand it, there may be a need for additional expert planning staff to make sure those concerns are addressed

5.) The mounting development pressure in the Town is generating a heightened level of community interest in the Town’s planning and development process and decisions. Do you think the Town has adequate public consultation processes in place to deal with these decisions or do you think changes are required, and if so, what changes?

People I have been meeting at the doors as I campaign certainly seem to think we need more discussions with our neighbours and town hall regarding new developments, and this is something I'm definitely willing to look into. That said, we can't shut the door on newcomers since we've been designated a growth node.

6.) The Town has recently approved a Waterfront Master Plan. What is your perspective on that plan? Do you think it contains the right priorities or are there changes you feel are required? Should its implementation be a priority for the new Council?

I have read it, and agree with most of its recommendations. It's ambitious and if implemented, could make our shoreline even more of a jewel. I'm proud of the Gathering Circle and closely watched its progress through the summer. I also look forward to skating at the waterfront in the not-too-distant future, and I'm glad the terminals are included as an important piece of the waterfront's heritage.

7.) Both the Waterfront Master Plan and the Town’s Official Plan state that the protection of Collingwood’s sensitive wetlands and shoreline areas are a top priority. How would you rate Collingwood’s performance in protecting these areas to date? Do you think Collingwood currently has appropriate processes and controls in place to protect these areas (especially from development), or do you think improvements are required, and if so, what improvements?

I agree with the assertion that the shoreline must be a priority. I'm not sure I can give a rating to the town's performance, except to say there are complaints about the sheer volume of people coming to our waterfront parks, so we clearly are doing something right. The boardwalk near the arboretum is a tremendous asset, although I'm confused why it's taking so long to repair the part of it that was burned this spring.

8.) What role do you see Collingwood’s protected wetland and shoreline areas playing in your vision of the Town’s social, cultural and economic future?

I think as a place that increasingly relies on tourism and eco-tourism, it's essential we maintain our shoreline and our vistas.

9.) SOS Collingwood has raised specific concerns regarding the recent development proposal for the Living Waters/Bear Estate property. While the developer has asked the Town of defer consideration of the application until 2019, a decision on the matter will likely come before Council early in its next term. What are your views on that proposal and what level of public consultation and input do you feel needs to occur?

The next council definitely will have to look at this development application, and I think the deferral of the application is a show of good will on the part of the developer. Hats off to your group for making your concerns heard! I think plans and rules regarding waterfront development can always be improved with review, and with a council that's willing to listen and learn, we can find a way to work together to everyone's benefit.

Yet More Questions from Voters

More questions from voters! Here's an email I got last week with a bunch more questions and my answers:

The following list of questions is being asked of each candidate seeking elected office in Collingwood. I am looking for 1 word answers – FOR or AGAINST, or YES or NO. If you are a current member of council, please answer based on your voting record, if you are not currently on council, answer based on how you would have voted on these issues.


Hiya, thanks for your questions, but my answers can't really be 'yes-or-no' since there are so many variables that come with each of these issues, especially before we know all the facts on any of them. But, to the best of my ability and with as much brevity as possible, here you go:

Do you support culling the coyote heard in Collingwood? In general, I support finding ways to live in harmony with nature, so I don't like the idea of a cull, however, I do support people being able to enjoy their surroundings safely, so I would defer to the experts on when and whether a cull becomes necessary. My dad was a livestock evaluator in Clearview for many years, and I saw firsthand the damage done to farm animals by coyotes, wolves and in many cases offleash pet dogs.

Do you support the intent of the judicial inquiry?
Are you in favour of the costs associated with the judicial inquiry? I will support the recommendations regarding governance from the judicial inquiry. We can't back out of it, so the cost are going to be the costs.

Do you support the building of the Indigenous gathering circle? I think the Gathering Circle is beautiful and that reconciliation with indigenous Canadians is necessary and will be helpful to everyone in this country. The idea for the Circle was part of the Waterfront Master Plan, and happened earlier than expected when a union having a convention in the area offered to pay for part of it.

Do you believe the Collingwood Elvis Festival is of economic importance to the town?
Do you support the continuation of the Collingwood Elvis Festival? I think the Elvis festival does fill up the restaurants, hotels and B&Bs, but the recreation master plan calls for it to be retired in the next few years. We will need more facts about whether it's still viable before any decision is made.

Will you spend more money than the current council? I can't know whether there will be some circumstance or emergency that will necessitate the next council spending more than the current council, but I believe in responsible spending and reasonable debt. The debt has been lowered substantially in the last few years, and we should continue on that path. There is now money from the sale of the second half of COLLUS and the airport that will have to be allocated. It could go to pay off debt, reduce taxes or go toward spending on infrastructure and improvements. I would advocate for a mixture of all three.

Will you support increased taxes for any reason? I might support a small tax increase, depending on the circumstances, to pay for things like inflation and contracts with the OPP and unionized workers etc., but again, I support being reasonable with the spending. I am a taxpayer, too, so I don't want to see increases if at all avoidable.

Do you support the province’s plan for private businesses selling cannabis in the municipality? We still don't have a real understanding of the province's plan and haven't received clear direction about it yet, so we will have to wait to see what the rules are. A staff report on this issue is coming soon, possibly before the election, and I will be interested to read it. I would not vote in favour of rules that would make a retail business impossible to open.

I hope that helps, and thank you for your interest,
Mariane

First day at your door

I just have to share this, and I know it's going to come as a surprise: I'm a bit chatty!

I spent my first broiling hot hour campaigning door to door yesterday and I didn't make it to nearly as many homes as I expected, because I got talking to some pretty interesting people! I heard stories about grandsons who have hockey scholarships, former politicians who cussed at their constituents and got re-elected anyway, and I got questions about whether I can hold my own at the council table against 'all those men'. Well, anyone who's heard me yell for sweeping at the curling club knows the answer to that one!

I sure hope I make it to your house to hear what you have to say about the future of our town and what you'd like to see happen next. I want to hear your stories, too!