Below is the list (in two parts) of these issues. I am not promising to deliver on these promises—I get one vote and it takes six votes to fix or change anything—but I promise to push these on Council. (Details on my campaign platform are still available—see Pre-Election in the Topics list.)
As time goes on, I will amend this list to show the status of these issues--where I succeed and fail. Where applicable, I will include relevant follow-up efforts.
Town-wide Issues
Fair and Equal: To make amalgamation work for all wards and to bridge the rural/urban split, I will always insist on the fair and equal treatment of all wards in decisions of Council.
Taxes: I will encourage the new Council to limit tax increases to a rate no greater than inflation and to aim for increases that are lower than the inflation rate.
Status: The budget for 2011 came in at 3%, while the inflation rate to March 2011 was 3.3%.
Roads: To reduce maintenance costs and improve road quality, I will urge Council to commit to hard-surfacing at least a few kilometres of gravel road each year. (Where a majority residents along a road do not want it paved, Council should listen to that majority.)
Status: No progress yet.
Hydro Revenues: I will argue that it is time to share the revenues from the Mississippi Mills’ hydro generator between all three wards. I will suggest that we use the hydro revenue to pay down debt. That will reduce debt quickly and save millions in interest charges.
Status: Positive discussions are ongoing.
Septage Tax: The majority of people in Ramsay do not agree with a one-time septage tax. If it is imposed by the Council majority, I will argue that Almonte ward should pay a similar tax (to be fair and equal) as a down payment on the sewer plant debt.
Status: Only two councillors elected in 2010 are against the septage tax: so, we cannot stop it. I will look for ways to mitigate this unfortunate tax.
Septage Operating Costs: Before we accept septage from other municipalities, we must determine the long-range liabilities and make sure external sources pay a full cost-recovery tipping fee. We should never charge rural residents for an operating cost shortfall. If the septage facility can't pay its way, shut it down.
Status: The 2012 budget applies a tax for an operating cost shortfall.
Debt: Mississippi Mills Council must not take on additional long-term debt until it repays a significant portion of the current debt. And, we must find ways to accelerate debt repayment (without raising taxes) as a hedge against a future cash crunch.
Status: The 2011 budget added another $450,000 in debt to repair the AOTH. I wanted it covered by taxes and reserves. Mine was a minority opinion. we have a long-term financial plan that can reduce debt but it requires more money going into reserves than we are doing at present. Too much money is spent on increasing operational costs instead.
Cultural Funding: I will support ventures that stimulate artistic diversity and economic benefits in partnership with cultural groups, businesses, and private organizations. The Town should provide a modest, predictable, annual budget that invests in organizations that have a high-level of public, business, and private support (donations, fundraising, and volunteer time).
Status: The last two budgets are providing steady funding, though not as much as some groups would like.
Council Votes: I will ask for votes of Council and its standing committees to include an automatic recorded vote on significant issues.
Status: Since any councillor can ask for a recorded vote at any time, most councillors felt that was good enough and rejected any automatic procedure.
Webcasting: I will ask that Council meetings be webcast so that people can "attend" meetings from home.
Status: The system requires hardware, including microphones in the chamber. Microphones are to be installed in 2012 as part of the Town’s accessibility plan. Webcasting can piggyback on that.
Speaking Out: I will ask that we set aside a period each meeting where the voting public can have their say.
Status: The idea was defeated. See the related story.
Public Meetings: I advocate a bottom-up approach to decision making, where the Town consults with people before Council makes decisions on key issues, not after.
Status:The 2012 public budget meeting was called before we finalized the budget. It is a small but important first step.
Local Issues
Rural Street Lights: Many people in south Ramsay want light standards at highway 7 and Concession 5, Concession 4, and Scotch Corners Road because these intersections are dangerous at night.
Status: The 2011 and 2012 draft budgets included money for lights on Highway 7. Provincial regulations combined with Ontario Hydro rules make those lights prohibitively expensive.
Dangerous Intersection: Drivers on the north side of the intersection of Concession 5 and highway 7 cannot see around the curve to the right. We need to ask the province to remove part of the bank to improve sight lines.
Status: No progress yet.
Speeding: Many people complain about speeding in the villages and built-up residential areas. Council needs to confront this problem.
Status: No progress yet.
Traffic Signs: Many people feel that more speed limit signs and children-playing signs might make the roads near their houses safer. Parts and labour costs for a sign are about $200. Let’s be less stingy with signs.
Sign Placement: Drivers tend to speed coming into Appleton along River Road from the south and enter a hidden curve a high speed. Villagers want the village sign and speed sign further from the edge of village to encourage people to slow down sooner. Similarly, drivers approaching Clayton on the Tatlock Road from the west side drive too fast. Villagers also want the village sign and speed sign moved further from edge of town past the new houses.
Private Roads: People living on so-call private roads, such as Montgomery Park and Birch Point pay the same tax rate as everyone else but do not get road maintenance or snowplowing. The Town should either provide full services or offer a property tax credit.
Status: No progress yet.
Snow Removal: Town crews clear sidewalk snow in Almonte and Pakenham but not Clayton. With a senior’s residence in the village, cleared sidewalks are essential.
Status: The Clayton main sidewalk is now being plowed.
Quarries: Two rock quarries lie within Ramsay ward and outside of the jurisdiction of the Town (the province controls them). In the past, the Al-Car quarry on highway 29 often ignored the Town’s by-laws regarding hours of operation and sometimes produces excessive noise and dust. I will encourage the Al-Car quarry and the pending Cavanagh quarry on Quarry Road to be good neighbours to the extent possible.
Status: I have been to two meetings on the Al-Car quarry. A liaison committee formed that includes residents, the quarry owner, and Ontario government ministries. The hope is to find a way to co-exist. I am not on the committee but will attend meetings when asked.
Weeds: Farmers complain about the noxious weeds growing on roadsides and spreading seeds.
