
October 22, 2018 · 0 Comments
By Jasen Obermeyer
The final Mono all candidates’ meetings saw a variety of issues and topics discussed at Monora Park Pavilion this past Monday (Oct. 15).
With the municipal election just days away, the candidates took the opportunity to make their final pitch to residents on why they should be elected.
Mayor Laura Ryan is facing a challenge from Stephen Unwin, John Creelman and Elaine Capes are seeking the position of deputy mayor, and incumbent councillors Ralph Manktelow, Sharon Martin and Fred Nix face challenges from Bob McCrea and Diane Walmsley.
Sponsored by the Orangeville Citizen, and moderated by Bob Burnside, the meeting attracted over 200 people, something the candidates, and everyone in general, noted with pleasure.
Candidates were given four minutes to discuss their platform and ideas, and at the end of the meeting, a quick summary. In between, residents came forward asking, for the most part, general questions directed to all candidates.
The topics discussed were on citizen engagement, high speed Internet, bylaw enforcement, a parkland needs study, and transportation.
All agreed that effective engagement is needed with residents.
“The only way we’re going to be able to tackle some of these things is getting more people involved,” said Mr. Unwin, which includes the County and the province. “A number of problems that we face as a town are levels of government that are beyond the municipality. They are either at the county level, or the provincial level.”
Ms. Ryan said leadership is about communications and informed decision-making, explaining strides have been made with the town’s website, letters, and social media, noting how unfortunate few residents attend council meetings. “There’s always room for improvement, and I’m committed to continue this process. Together, we can make and ensure you are listened and heard.”
Ms. Martin agreed that although “Mono has really stepped up” with social media and council highlights, it isn’t perfect and “we need to become connected.”
Mr. Manktelow described citizen engagement as “a two-way street.”
On the topic of high speed Internet, Ms. Ryan said they need to engage with the different providers, to see what can be done to get connection for some people quickly, but having the process in place “is the right thing to do” for the long term.
“We need to find solutions, set a date so we can find a proposal to those solutions,” Ms. Walmsley responded.
Mr. Creelman said Internet speed reliability “deserves decisive action,” and suggested a public meeting with Bell and Rogers should be held to have them “lay it all out,” discuss the problems and “try to get some results.”
Ms. Capes simply stated that bylaw enforcement and broadband are “top priorities” but dates should not be set until all the information is gathered.
“There’s going to be a lot more technical study that has to be done,” Mr. Unwin commented, suggesting engaging with different partners and look at the federal and provincial government from a granting perspective.
On the discussion of bylaw enforcement, all agreed the town has a problem with it.
“Several of our bylaws are in dire need of updating,” said Mr. McCrea, mentioning the noise and fill bylaws.
In regards to the noise bylaw, Mr. Nix said, “We’ve got problems with it, we’ve never been able to lay a charge under that bylaw.” He added that some “additions” have been made to the fill bylaw, and the new council must make it effective.
Ms. Martin said she likes the idea of sharing a bylaw enforcement officer with other municipalities to ensure “that the expense doesn’t lay right on us,” and must “find some partners, that need the same service that we do.”
“There are interim and permanent solutions for enforcement, and we’ll need to look at both,” Mr. Manktelow explained. “We need to decide what the needs are, and then satisfy those needs.”
When asked about the parkland needs study, Ms. Capes said, “We have to take a multi-faceted approach,” on how to communicate with residents and discuss the study.
Mr. McCrea said “proper consultation” is needed with the residents.
“There has to be consultation,” said Mr. Creelman. “There has to be a reaction consultation after the study is printed and available to council.” He added the committees should be reorganized to get residents throughout the whole town and get a better representation.
Asked about transportation, Mr. Nix suggested making a deal with Uber, which he believes would be cheaper than subsidizing a rate with a bus company through Orangeville. “I think that’s something that can be discussed at the County.”
Ms. Walmsley said she is open to investigating any possibilities for more transportation, believing a GO Bus that runs from Orangeville and Shelburne, and through to Highway 400 might be the best option. “We need to make our community a little bit more accessible for the people who live here.”
Mr. Manktelow “I think it’s a question of money, and a question of our willingness to take public transportation.” “We’re all tied to the automobile.” Council would need to make sure it’s “financially viable.”
Mr. McCrea said this requires “outside the box” thinking and possibly coordinate on a “more regional, county level.”
“We need to keep looking, we need to find a solution,” Ms. Capes said. “We need to work across municipalities.”
Online voting is already available 24 hours a day to Mono residents who have received PINs, and will continue to be accessible until polls close province-wide next Monday, Oct. 22.