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PORT PERRY STAR - Tuesday, October 31 - 11 The Questions pressing issue facing Scugog Township in the coming term of council? What's the most Where do you stand on calls for more municipal services, such as a pool and second ice pad? How can Scugog Township's tax base be diversified to shift the burden from homeowners? [4 What can the munci- pality do to ensure the environmental integrity of Lake Scugog? e 1SSues sillor - Scugog Township What qualities will you bring to the council table? Scugog Township should not be part of Toronto. Discussing this issue with local residents, | find no support for Scugog Township to be part of the Greater Toronto Area. Rural municipalities should be managed separately from large cities. There are too many differ- ences for a rural/lurban amalga- mation to be successful. The works budget should receive priority attention so that township roads and bridges can be maintained and improved. Recreational facilities such as a pool, skateboard park, or a third ice pad should be largely self- financing particularly with respect to operating costs. Essential municipal services must be provid- ed first. Township council must be sup- portive of business and invest- ment proposals that come before it. The number of commercial and industrial properties within the township needs to be expanded to help finance the municipality, as well as providing more employ- ment opportunities to its residents. The greatest threat to the envi- ronmental integrity of Lake Scugog is the amount of phos- phates and other contaminants entering the water from the Port Perry Sewage Treatment Plant as development continues. The equipment used in the expansion of this plant should be reviewed to ensure the latest pollution control technology is used. | have 20 years of independent business experience. | am a grad- uate biologist with the foundation to deal with environmental prob- lems. My local experience from two previous terms as a municipal councillor is also an asset. JOYCE KELLY Future amalgamation - when, where and hopefully if? Services such as a pool or sec- ond ice pad must be provided by a combination of donations, private and municipal contributions. Get more industry and busi- ness base to help offset the bur- den from homeowners. First - abolish the large num- bers of Canada Geese and sec- ond - work with government min- istries that deal with the lake. Twelve years political experi- ence as Scugog Trustee Durham Board of Education and Ward 4 councilor; known as a team player; approachable; solid business background; represents interests of agriculture and a strong commu- nity supporter. Ip a SPN PAUL MICHEL Amalgamation and the ability to ensure that we maintain our identity and level of service. | support both under two condi- tions: 1. Must not compete with local business; 2. Must not be a drain on our tax dollars. By encouraging commercial and industrial growth within the existing designated areas. To work together with the Ministry of The Environment and other agencies, implementing any protective measures required. I am a full time resident of Ward 5 and owner of Dynamic Carwash, a local business. | have 14 years experience with regional and local politics in rezoning, planning and commercial development. | have years of community involvement. | am a past director of the Scugog Chamber of Commerce and con- tinue to volunteer for many com- munity events. oh HELEN NEWLOVE Amalgamation - being an unknown - we must put forth a package of needs - then get them worked into, whatever area part- nering we get. Shared services can be beneficial - lost services and/or downloading in restructur- ing isn't in our interest. So - we must be heard at any negotia- tions. | do support an indoor pool. A municipal pool for everyone. Second pad - good idea - been on the "want" agenda a long time, maybe we should consider an out- door rink at the arena. For the interim - for sport and fun. Also investigate the skateboard park there. How isn't that a question - | would certainly need more informed information than | have now as a home owner. As a coun- cillor | would hope | could see some ways to shift that burden. Be aware of all growth - around the lake - our growth on our neighbours. Interact with the environmental and provincial organizations - to the best advan- tage for the lake. Encourage bet- ter seplic systems - explore field unknowns. See that the park and trails along the lake function for all. Finally all growth must be with- in the parameters of the sewage system we have for our lake to be what it should be. | believe that | have the ability to listen, - Research when neces- sary and work cooperatively, to best serve my ward. Balancing - complexities, to have a working township council. 1. The effect of amalgamation on Scugog. How this will threaten to change the unique character. 2. How downloading from the provin- cial government will affect the municipal service delivery system. 3. How "big box" stores will affect area businesses. 4. Environmen- tal issues: e.g. garbage, preserva- tion of our wetlands, our lake. 5. The need for recreation facilities for families and youth. E.g. ice pad and pool. | support a second ice pad and a pool that can be used year round, if funds will allow that. We can diversify Scugog's tax base by promoting tourism and maintaining a viable downtown, by promoting small business. We can attract small to medium size industry that is compatible with the unique character of Scugog. To ensure the environmental integrity of Lake Scugog, the municipality can insure that septic systems are checked regularly so there is no leakage into the lake. We can clean up garbage that is dumped into the wetlands. We can fine people who dump garbage into the wetlands or into the lake. Retired - | will be available full time to the residents of Ward 5. My professional background as a fami- ly counselor has equipped me with the important skills of an advocate and a good listener. | am a trained mediator and negotiator. | have extensive experience as a manager, and have worked cooperatively on management teams, and with other departments. | have also developed good marketing skills. We must concentrate on the future, put in place as many need- ed facilities as possible and also concentrate on the needs of our youth. Make sure that we retain our identity by joining with communities of the same values. In my opinion we should amalgamate with our northern neighbours. Whatever will happen in the future regular main- tenance must go on. i.e.: garbage issues, snow clearing, road safety. Community services must be affordable to all the residents. | pre- fer an indoor pool and of course the ice pad. | suggest to add-on to the existing community centre, but in modules. Plan it, allocate the money for the project and build it in stages. The one issue that the next council must decide, is the skate- board park; the location is slated, however, | wonder why the commu- nity centre is not considered. By increasing business and investors, industry to increase, or decrease the burden to homeown- ers. This will also create more opportunities for employment. We must control what gets dumped in Lake Scugog. Is our sewage treatment plant large enough? Is the equipment capable of doing its job? Part of my commu- nity experience has been promo- tion of environmental issues. We should promote and educate the community regarding the 3-R's: Reuse - Reduce - Recycle. In addi- tion | would suggest an annual cleanup at the waterfront. t am an initiator, | am pro-active and | am a team player. Being a 'new' resident has its advantages; | look at the town of Scugog and see the unlimited potential. It is also known that one who has lived here for a long period of time may have difficulties to be able to break with the status quo. | believe | have the qualities and qualifications to repre- sent the residents of Ward 5 on council. Amalgamation is unaccept- able. Our quality of life and our historical heritage is paramount. Big city government does not mean better local government and representation. We can find ways to share costs on services with our Durham neighbours that do not sacrifice our way of life or our sense of community. | have served on two township committees that have recom- mended that we should build these services. Repeated inaction has cost us hundreds of thou- sands of dollars. By actively seek- ing corporate partnerships and sponsorships, we can build a sec- ond ice pad and an indoor pool today at little cost to the taxpayer. What we need is leadership. One way to reduce the tax base for homeowners is to increase our industrial tax base. But we must recognize our munic- ipal services capabilities by target- ting clean technological growth. We cannot physically support heavy industry, nor do | think we desire it, but technological indus- try and light industry must be actively encouraged. Council should fully support the actions of the Millennium Project, which is working towards preserving the integrity of our shoreline. Currently it is-one of the cleanest lakes in Ontario - we must keep it that way. We should treasure this great asset, protect it and promote it as the centrepiece of our township. "Leadership, professionalism, vitality, experience, integrity, my local, regional and national volun- teer experiences illustrate my hands-on capabilities and skills, that will serve the people of Ward 5 well. But | believe it is my personal dedication and commitment to this community that is my greatest strength. | DAVID ROBINSON | | |