Lloyd

To all candidates Thank You - it is not easy being in the public with your opinions and putting yourself forward for the job. Thank you for caring for your community and the families in it. Thank you for making this a tremendous learning experience and as we all move forward together... lets make Centre Wellington the best place to live, work and play.

Thanks for this wonderful opportunity to be of service to the township of Centre Wellington.

Thank you to the Chamber of Commerce for hosting this forum for candidates to respond to questions from concerned individuals of our community.

Lloyd

I would work with the committee to investigate the costs of allocating staff time to work on making Centre Wellington a Fair Trade town. This is what has held up the council from deciding to endorse this currently.

Lloyd

Well... Grants and Partnerships have been great ways of leveraging our municipal tax dollars! But when we break it all down it is you and I and the other tax payers of Canada that have been paying to "stimulate" the economy. As with anything, all good things come to an end. So it is time for us to roll up our sleeves and work at getting things done in Centre Wellington in the most economical fashion. Good play on words!

Lloyd

I hope so... I have a dog too and we need to have an area that they are safe to roam and socialize with other dogs. Healthy lifestyles for man and beast!

Lloyd

This is an area that I am not too familiar with but I am always willing to learn. I believe we have to get vigilant with our official land usage plan and not allow prime agricultural areas be turned in neighbourhoods. We are all subject to losing when we build on rich soil and not infill the areas we already have designated for higher density. This also means working with our farmers too. I know that I have a great deal to learn here!

Lloyd

Investigation take time .... but I would like to have this well underway in the next two years. I believe it is entirely possible! We need to be able to get everyone around this community in an affordable way.

Lloyd

I can't see it happening.... we must borrow to complete the mandatory works.

Lloyd

Unfortunately we have already lost the battle for Wellington North, so I can only say that I am against wind turbines in Centre Wellington. I also agree with the township joining the legal battle with other townships asking for a halt to the new wind farms until further studies can be completed with regards to the effects on human health.

Lloyd

As a driver... I would prefer that there are road allowances wide enough for both bicycles and for cars pulling off to use cell phones!. I believe when each road is repaired it needs to be given serious consideration to width for the safety for all.

Lloyd

1. I am willing to learn about roads & ditches and bridges. As one of the sidewalk residents - I have been very remiss about the road situations in Centre Wellington. It has been an eye opener when driving on SR - 10, 15 and Beatty Line & Gerrie road this last week just how much more we are than just Fergus, Elora, Inverhaugh, Belwood. As a new councillor - I would do my best to become well versed on the road & bridge conditions of CW and review with a new set of eyes the strategic plans for road and bridge repairs to fully understand what is best for all residents of this township.
2. Policing is a county issue for costs. For us as residents of CW the removal of the station in downtown Fergus will further remove them from visibility. Not the best situation for our community to be sure. We need to work with the detachment to have more efforts in this area... especially in early evenings and night.
3. Greenlands - a program of the county has just recently celebrated the 1 millionth tree planted in Wellington County... and this program is just growing in strength. Now it is up to all of us as you have pointed out to keep advancing the replanting of this our community.
4. This issue is sensitive for both sides. As a farmer you have a right to earn a living. As residents we all have a right to stand up for what we believe in too. I see no winners in this area.
5. I will be willing to look into this area too - as part of my learning about the full Centre Wellington.

Lloyd

The statements are difficult to read and yes the accounting system seems to be handled a different manner.

I think what we need to look at is customer service - we need to get better at providing a full explanation (not a pat answer) then we can understand the why it is handled this way.

Lloyd

I am not part of this group.

Lloyd

I believe this would be best directed to the finance department for the full explanation and the true and correct numbers.

Lloyd

I went to the budget meetings this year and was part of the discussion for the 2010 budget reductions. I have a draft budget, that I made notes in for suggested savings and questions. Attending council for the last year (September 2009 to present) has given me a bit of understanding of how our township works. I am not able to provide a trend of tax increases over the last five years - but - the finance department can.

Lloyd

The remuneration of expenses is reported each year in an appendix from the finance department - it is on the website for viewing. It also includes costs for expenses and meeting remuneration for committees of council. Each convention or training event is listed with the cost for each by councillor and I understand each item is reviewed yearly to make decisions on who will attend and the reporting back of lessons learned.

As I have not been on the council, I do not know if each are issued a credit card. Having said that - if it is necessary to attend conventions to do the job - I would ask if all bookings be done by the office - it keeps the finances straight!

Lloyd

We all have a part to play in the business community. Being a customer is the best way to support our BIA's.

The Chamber is our lobbying body and vital to keep the business active in issues from the municipality - along with other things like affordable group insurance and moneris.
The Waterloo Wellington Community Futures - has been helping start and grow businesses and we need to keep this going - entrepreneurs are the way of the future!
Fergus & Elora BIA - they are the body of downtown businesses that are contributing to the improvements to our downtown areas. We need to help them beautify and attract customers.

In my opinion this is an instrumental group that will continue to help businesses in Centre Wellington and we need to work together.

Lloyd

As chair of the 175th committee, I began to see just what I had taken for granted for many years. The heritage here in Centre Wellington is very diverse set of assets, in both the environment and the buildings. I value our heritage and keep that in mind as I go around this community each and everyday.

Making an older building accessible is difficult and very expensive for the building owner. The Community Improvement Plan (CIP) that is currently under review from the Economic Development committee and at council to approve has a very small fund for loans for businesses. This won't even touch the costs that are required to do these improvements in our downtowns. It is time to get working with the BIA's and the public works to address sidewalks and building entrances to make all accessible at once. To do this and other preservation projects, requires a budget. So, yes we need a budget for heritage and accessibility needs.

Lloyd

I am the one that has listed this on my campaign platform.

I state that I will continue to support the efforts to move this hospital project ahead. As we have a very dedicated hospital foundation and board that have raised the monies involved in this project as outlined by the Ministry of Health - back in the beginning... NO is not NO... It is not now... So we need to keep asking and keep pushing this up the pole. OR.... The money raised needs to go back to the donors.

Lloyd

Each member of council will be working hard on the taxpayer's behalf. This will require many hours of committee meetings, reading of minutes and reviewing issues coming forward for discussion. Mr. Ortt can make a promise that is his to keep. As for myself, as it would cause me to miss work from my employment, I will not be able to "skip" the payment for work done.

Lloyd

You need to start the appeal process right away.

Lloyd

At the beginning of each council year all committees are assigned to councillors. Some of the committees that council members are on are by their personal choice. I believe the work load needs to be shared among the 6 councillors and 1 mayor.

Lloyd

Vinnie... this is a question for Robert to answer.

I am employed in my own local business Ralph Basset Associates and have been for the last 15 years.

Lloyd

There are always a way to change the process for budget allocation around in the parks & recreation and cutting out the grant altogether; however to do this would move away from the community based decision making committee and I am not in favour of this type of change.

Having an opportunity to engage citizens in the decision making and review of the applications allows for the community to have input. What I would consider as a move forward would be to look at the application process and possibly make suggestions on what can be "saved" in other areas to increase the grant total amount.

Lloyd

I agree that Centre Wellington has agreed to purchase Fair Trade tea and coffee - this is already an accepted practice of the township and I fully support this decision. As a member of Melville United - we support fair trade coffee as well.

We have not yet become a fair trade township. In this election process the concerns being received from our constituents regarding holding the line on hiring, incurring additional expenses for programs with out knowing what is expected is not wise. I agree with the decision made by the current council to hold on the moving forward until the possible costs are calculated.

Lloyd

Thank you for this question.

I am a volunteer member of Elora Fergus Tourism and have been for several years. Recently, I became a representative of a client at this table. I believe that we need to continue to invest in the tourism for Centre Wellington. The current Economic Development budget is $600,000 and it has revenues of $200,000 - So they are requiring $400,000 to continue. I believe that we need to support all the efforts to bring guests to our B & B's, restaurants and events.

It is also important to attract customers locally to our downtowns and we should be begin to focus on a way to engage our residents to buy local and support the businesses in our BIA areas.

Lloyd

Taxes are for many areas - of which one is roads. 52% of the capital budget is allocated to this area. There is a ten year capital plan for roads and public works needs. Many of the roads listed are in the plans and if you would like to review the plan it is available at the township office - finance department.

Lloyd

Currently we are notified in the press of the amount of slot money received each quarter. We do not spend it right away.

Through the budgeting for each project these amounts are used to leverage the costs. I have reviewed the consolidated statements on the township website for Dec 31,2008 and the balance in the account is $1,731,257. In the budget forecast presented at the 2010 budget meetings the balance at the close of Dec 31/10 is estimated at $2,332,480.

Further breakdowns are available through the township office - finance department and are open public records. I can confirm that the funds has been used primarily to fund the $0.33 / $1.00 required to meet the requirements for federal infrastructure stimulus programs.

Lloyd

Currently self employed with Ralph Basset Associates.

Over the last 18 months without remuneration but because of interest in our municipal government, I have regularly attended council meetings.

Current consulting positions have been for my expertise in strategic planning, fund raising, event management (including risk management) and building capacity for organizations. All of these skills will be necessary in the next steps of our council. We need to examine the what is, how it is done and ways to make things work better in our township.

Thank you for your question.

Lloyd

Yes it does. The Municipal Act clearly covers pecuniary conflicts of interest and as a councillor I would be bound to abide.

Lloyd

1. Sustainability - self supporting for necessities of life. Potential of the sale of intellectual assets to other municipalities. We have the knowledge and abilities here... can we sell our services to other townships? This is an area worth investigating.

Lloyd

I am currently living one block east of the ward 3 boundary. I have worked in ward 3 over 10 years. My intention is to move into Ward 3 in the next two years due to downsizing from the family home. I was originally running in ward 6 but when I examined the boundaries and my life plans there was not a fit for me, that is why I changed.

Also... I believe that being a councillor in Centre Wellington is representing all members of the community - not just the ones "inside the lines". Once elected, I will work for a change in the municipality - one that allows our residents to vote for the best for the job, not who is running in their ward only.

Lloyd

The Elora pedestrian bridge is currently on the list of priorities for the township - however safety for all the residents in our rural area need to come first. This township has 105 bridges. In the last 4 years - 5 have been rebuilt and many more have very restricted loads posted, making it impossible for fire vehicles to cross to do their job.

In building a safe and healthy community - we need to have good roads for travel and bridges that will carry us where we need to go and walking trails. While it may not be the best solution - crossing the bridge on Metcalf takes our residents and guests across the river from the township parking lot into the shopping core of Elora.

Lloyd

I believe that the funding for the cultural grants does need to continue, and yes it is minimal support. While groups that have been successful to receive funding many are turned down each year. Not the best way to do the works of this committee. I have also watched a council level when the decisions of the committee are questioned.

I will support the committee's work of reviewing the requests and submitting for final approval with guidance of a good cultural criteria for reference.

Lloyd

It is important to continue to support the green spaces in Centre Wellington. I believe that the works done by our parks and recreation department to maintain the tree health is vital. We are also the benefactor to the works done in our community by volunteers through the horticultural societies. The Neighbourwoods Elora organization has done a big job this year with the tree inventory. Lastly we are fortunate to have an organization of citizens called Greenlands Centre Wellington that are working to develop a strategy to plan “a system of natural areas and open spaces for citizen use and enjoyment and for the protection of ecological values.” (Greenlands Centre Wellington website).

With this all happening right in Centre Wellington - and a tree planting strategy by the county of Wellington program called Green Legacy that has just passed the millionth tree mark - we need to stay the course and continue to work on getting the tree coverage to the 30% range recommended by Environment Canada.

Lloyd

Thankfully our township has been able to leverage the slots revenues for grants to upgrade infrastructure. As the funding from the Ontario government was available to our township - using the road strategic plan were able to complete applications quickly to take advantage of the opportunities. We need to keep working with the provincial government granting opportunities and keep our course on the strategic road plan.

With zero based budgets and working with each department on fiscal restraint we can work to reduce the operating budget and keep the capital budget in line with the infrastructure needs.

Lloyd

This is 2005 act by Ontario government to help with managing the estimated population growth for the next 30 years. Having been a resident of Centre Wellington for the last 24 years, I am watching the growth happening right at home.

We have experienced new subdivisions that seemingly "pop up" that put a strain on our shared resources and cause the municipality to upgrade or renew the infrastructure to support the higher usage. That costs money.

In efforts to help with the sprawling subdivisions being built on valuable agricultural lands, higher development charges were put into place to cover the costs.

Lloyd

I have been in Fergus since 1986 - we have seen many businesses come and go in both Fergus & Elora downtowns. Some due to retirement, poor economics or no customers. It seems shoppers today have a big box mentality: park for free, walk to many stores... also it seems that there is a concept that things at the local businesses are "more expensive or don't have the selection".

We also have other issues ... Monday to Friday office businesses that do not attract shoppers but infrequent visits... ie dentists, lawyers, real estate offices. This leads the shoppers thinking we are only open 9 am to 5 pm weekdays and little time for those that work out of town to get here before closing times. Perception is not the reality.

Investment in our buildings, attracting customers to open stores, review of pedestrian and vehicular traffic all need to come forward for 2010 and beyond. The plan written in 1995 has some good ideas, but we need to get a better reality of what is going on in all small downtowns and look to our own to see what can be done well.

I would like the BIA's and township to be working on a strategy to attract provincial investment through grants to give us the money we need to move ahead. Also ... more can be done by meeting with individual land owners and speaking with them on the specific challenges that are given to them when potential renters view the locations... is it parking? condition of buildings? cost of rental space? We need to keep up the events ... but better yet telling our community that we have these events going on a regular basis. Having our theatre upgrades soon done and a new manager in place can help attract folks downtown too.

As I have mentioned in my platform... we have some issues with the safety of our pedestrians .... due to traffic delays - drivers become frustrated and fail to yield to walkers and I have seen many - too many close calls. Time to correct this before we have a bigger problem.

Lloyd

Balancing a reduced budget
Accessibility for all residents
Maintaining service standards without compromise

Lloyd

As a business owner in Fergus, I will continue to be an advocate to buy local and encourage residents to support the businesses that support the community.