Candidates stress significance of county councillor role at Minto forum

Three candidates made their pitch to represent Minto residents as Ward 1 Wellington County at a candidates meeting here on Sept. 22.

David Anderson, Mark MacKenzie and Steve Hardie addressed about 100 citizens at the Clifford Community Hall during their presentations.

David Anderson

“It’s great to be here, it’s great to be back,” said David Anderson, who spent 12 years on Minto council and four years as mayor before losing to current mayor George Bridge in the 2010 election.

“I spent 16 years in municipal politics … I learned so much in those 16 years and learned what the town takes to survive and grow,” he stated.

During the last four years Anderson served on the local hospital board and as a volunteer crew captain at the Norgan Theatre. Of the latter he said, “We have a ball with that.”

Anderson pointed out he has experience on county council from his time as mayor, serving on the county’s administration and finance, roads and other committees.

Anderson says he has a chance to talk to people throughout the municipality in his position of operator of the Service Ontario centre in Harriston.

“I talked to a lot of people and  asked what county council does for them,” said Anderson, who determined, “They don’t know all the ramifications of what county council does.”

He pointed out 46 per cent of local tax dollars goes to county level to support emergency medical services, social services, libraries, policing and economic development.

“I believe that what I can do is educate you people in the Town of Minto better about what the county stands for and where your tax dollars go,” said Anderson, stating if elected he would attend Minto town council meetings as well as county council meetings.

“I feel you can get a better sense of what is happening in the municipality,” he said adding he would try to develop “a stronger working relationship between mayor and county councillor.”

Mark MacKenzie

Incumbent county councillor Mark MacKenzie said making sure his ward benefits from county spending programs is a big part of the job.

“One of the main responsibilities that I have is to approve or not approve the spending of your tax dollars and make sure the Town of Minto receives their fair share during the budget process,” he stated.

During the most recent term, MacKenzie pointed out, the county supported the Palmerston and District Hospital with a $2.25-million grant for capital projects.

“This is your tax dollars, the province did not come forward,” he explained, adding, “Rural health care is important to us.”

MacKenzie noted that since 2010 the county has also assumed operation of the Palmerston day care centre,  upgraded the Harriston library and established an economic development committee that followed the town of Minto’s lead in conducting a county-wide business expansion and retention study.

Looming projects at the county level include upgrades to the Palmerston library in 2015, improvements to ambulance service in the county, $15 million in spending on roads and bridges and renewal of an OPP services contract that includes a $2.8-million cost reduction.

“And we’re glad to see that,” he said in reference to the OPP cost reduction.

MacKenzie also noted the county is preparing to host the 2016 International Plowing Match in Minto. MacKenzie listed political experience including stints as a councillor and deputy mayor in Minto, and serving on the county’s information, heritage and seniors, and solid waste committees.

He is also the chair of the Harriston Historical Society and a 2nd vice president of the Harriston Legion branch.

“I have the experience and the desire to represent you and I ask for your vote,” said MacKenzie.

Steve Hardie

County council candidate Steve Hardie said he wasn’t making promises because “politicians are known for making a lot of promises that we know we can’t keep because we’re one member, one vote.”

A lifelong resident of Wellington County, Hardie has lived in Palmerston since childhood.

“Although this is my first time running for political office it’s not my first introduction to the municipal world,” said Hardie, who embarked on a career in recreation as a 15-year-old working at the Palmerston arena and is currently director of parks and recreation for North Perth.

A graduate of Humber and Fanshawe college’s management and leadership programs, Hardie has been actively involved in the Ontario Recreation Facilities Association for the past 15 years, earning the association’s prestigious CC Jada Dahmer Award of Excellence in 2013.

“I feel I have the expertise and training to represent the municipality well,” he stated.

Hardie stressed his bid for a seat on county council isn’t about winning a competition.

“I’m not really running against anybody … I’m actually running for county.”

Communication is among the areas Hardie said he hopes to address if elected.

“I believe communication between Wellington County and the Town of Minto are very crucial to the operation of the town,” he stated.

Hardie said county council regularly makes decisions that impact lives of local residents and “educating the public about why that decision was made is a very good form of communication with the residents of the Town of Minto.”

Pointing out information on his election signs includes his phone number, Hardie stressed, “I want to be open and transparent.”

With almost half of all local tax dollars going to the county, Hardie said, “I think that requires accountability.” Hardie said governments need to explore options to tax increases to raise needed revenue.

“Nobody really wants to see tax increases. There are other avenues that should be explored when setting budgets,” he said, citing government grants and finding operational savings as two possibilities.

Noting municipalities and residents struggle with high energy costs, Hardie said that while it’s not specifically a municipal or county issue, “I think it’s something they could or should be approaching the federal or provincial governments to try to develop a long-term strategy.”

The meeting format did not include a public question period, but candidates fielded questions from citizens individually after the meeting.

Mayoral candidates George Bridge and Terry Fisk also addressed the meeting. For a story on their presentations see Section B, page 9. Eight of Minto’s 10 candidates for councillor also gave presentations at the meeting. Watch next week’s Advertiser for further coverage.