[ad_1]The candidates running for Ward 5 of Norfolk County Council are (top row, left to right) Kevin Allen, Peter Black, Ryan Boyko, Quentin Dixon, Alan Duthie, and (bottom row, left to right) Princess Peace, Mike Storoschuk, Bob Townsend, Dennis Travale, and Krissi Wiseman. Photo Illustration by Brian ThompsonKevin AllenAge: 55Occupation: RealtorRelevant Experience: As a local business owner and seasoned manager, I will introduce practical financial discipline, strategic thinking and creative ideas to Norfolk County Council. Having built and managed successful businesses, I'm skilled at problem-solving and maximizing every dollar spent while achieving tangible results.What do you think is the biggest challenge facing Norfolk County?-Norfolk County is dealing with serious long-term budget challenges because property taxes (which are our main source of revenue) haven't kept up with inflation or rising costs for services. This includes upgrading water and wastewater systems as well as addressing housing affordability-particularly with a shortage of affordable rental options since most homes here are single-family units.If the county received $10 million in funding, how would you recommend using it?I’d aim for maximum benefit without accumulating future debt. Nearly half would go toward essential water and road infrastructure improvements that support housing development while protecting taxpayers. I'd allocate 25 percent to enhance downtown Simcoe's safety and vitality; another 20 percent could help attract federal matching funds for affordable housing initiatives; lastly, I’d invest $1 million directly into recreational facilities benefiting both kids and seniors. Each dollar should create lasting value.With one of the highest water rates in Ontario and more upgrades needed for our system. What’s your plan?In urban centers like Simcoe, Port Dover, Delhi, and Waterford-housing development often runs into limits due to inadequate water supply systems. Significant capital investment is needed before we can meet construction demands in these areas.Peter Douglas BlackAge: 75Occupation: Semi-retired; Commercial/residential landlordRelevant experience: I was first elected to Simcoe Council in 1991. I've served as Planning Transition Chairman. When Norfolk County was established during its inaugural year I joined its council too. Over four terms on this council I've participated in about 60 committees including serving as deputy mayor. My background includes a Bachelor of Arts degree plus teaching certification alongside legal studies qualifications-all while working across various fields from law to real estate brokerage.Residence: Rural Norfolk CountyWhat do you believe is the biggest challenge facing Norfolk County?We’re experiencing significant economic pressures from the U. S., prompting our federal government to focus on what we can control-developing new markets so Canada becomes more self-sufficient rather than overly reliant on one market alone. Therefore I think that Norfolk County should identify underutilized resources right within our own community; we need revival efforts similar to when downtown Simcoe once processed local tomatoes from nearby farms-let's add value back into lumber products too! Our downtowns hold enormous potential.If the county were granted $10 million in funding how would you suggest utilizing it?Ensuring access to clean drinking water is vital-even though $10 million won’t stretch far-it’s crucial nonetheless! After years studying this issue it's time we finally took action on what exists within available groundwater supplies around Simcoe-I’ve been involved firsthand through past groundwater studies that provide us data ripe for implementation now!Norfolk has among Ontario's highest water rates yet urgently needs system upgrades; what can be done about it?While I wouldn’t claim expertise designing solutions myself, I recognize urgency surrounding this matter requires professional input moving forward. I'd prioritize securing expert assistance then work collaboratively exploring possibilities alongside higher levels government seeking funding opportunities together. It isn’t fair that only urban residents carry weighty sewer & water bills when nearly half(32K population)must maintain five separate systems along with sewage treatment plants. Meanwhile Brantford serves over double their size efficiently operating just one central facility!Ryan BoykoAge : Not providedOccupation : Film producer , actor , director &amp ; property manager.Residence : SimcoeRelevant experience : My career revolves around working within film industry uniting diverse talents towards shared goals. I've overseen multimillion-dollar productions involving budgets , contracts , lawyers , tradespeople , governmental agencies &amp ; international collaborators.Additionally , I've spoken at United Nations engagements partnered across various governmental bodies ensuring completion across global projects. Since2020, I’ve also stepped into property management focusing locally within downtown Simcoe helping clean up streets while engaging directlywithresidents&business owners alike.What's currentlythe topissuefor Norfolk County?Our inabilityto make effective decisionsand follow throughon them. For years we've hired consultants commissioning extensive research developing plans even whilst our infrastructure deteriorates driving costsup makingit difficultforbusinesses wantingto investinthearea. Simcoe’swater supply stands out as an urgentexample-without dependable watersupplywe can't construct new homes lure employers growourtaxbase ! It'stimewe stop delaying toughchoices, setcleargoals deliverontheservices resi dentsalreadypayfor!Ifthecountywasawarded$10milliontospendhowwouldyouproposeusingit?First thingsfirst-I want clarityontheconditionsattachedtothefunds If there aren'tany strings attached then I'd direct$5milliontowards transitionalhousing creatingfacilitieswhereindividualsstrugglingwith homelessnessaddictionmentalhealth issuescouldgetthe support they needinpracticallocationsoutsideourdowntownareas Provincial fundingexistsforadministrative purposes-we should leverage those resources assistingfutureoperationsoncebuildingprojectsare completed collaboratingwith healthcare providerscommunitygroups&provinceto create holistic planshelping people regain independence. Another$5 million woudgointo revitalizingdowntown Simcoecleaningupthe streets fixing sidewalksimproving building facades&workingcloselywithpropertyownersbringing vacantspacesbackintouse!Norfolkhasthehighestwaterratestheregionandmoreupgradeattentionisthekeysolution?A decisivecourseofactionisessential Ourfocushasbeen seton evaluatinginterurbanwatersupplysystemswhilealso considering Bloomsburgwellfieldoption s I want cleardata presentedtocouncilregardingboth choices showing estimatedcostsandexpectedoutput, reliabilityduration-notjustanotherlongtermstudy! Whatdoesitmeanfortaxespaidbyresidents? Thenwe pickthemostsustainablechoiceandproceedwithoutdelaysagain-forfouryearsindecisionhascostus!Quentin DixonAGE :49Occupation : Ownerof ITfirmformerstuntman<R ELEVANTEXPERIENCE : Masters Degreein Computer Science BAin Modern Political History Residence: System Above all else! Is it timeto address significantissuesaffectingsocietyatlarge ? What doesqualitylife looklike beyond monetarysuccess ? Howcanwestepintothefuture collaborativelycreatingnewpathwaysforyoungpeopletotakeadvantageoftheworldaroundthem?Thewayforwardincludesinnovationsolutionsintegrationbetweenoldtraditionsandmodernlifestylesthatallowcommunitiesgrowthrive sustainably! Underage users seemdistant buttheyarenowpresentin manyareas; iit’shardnoticesuchthingsoccurwhenpoliticalpolicyhasfar-reachingimpactsuponlocaleconomies. Whileaddressingeconomicinequitiesacrossregionsisvital prosperitycannotbe experienced withoutfirst ensuring basicneedsaremetfromaccessiblefood sources includingaffordablehousingoptionswithinreachofeveryone livinghere longterm sustainabilitydependsoneyieldedbenefitsaccruedbyinvestmentsthatoccurtoday.WHATSyour solutionifcountygiven$10millionspentwherewouldyougo? Wellallocatedfundscanamelioratehugeobstaclesdealingwastewatertroublemakingpossiblebuildingsheltershelpful shelters providing sanctuary requiring immediate intervention addressingissuesgeneratinghomelessness overall effectivenegotiationsleveragegrantsavailableafterconsultationsaidfinanceoperationalburdensittingunsettledworldwideclimate crisis grippinguscontinues pushingfurther awayfrom normalcy- Clearlyseparatingurgentneedshelpsdirectcapitalappropriatelytowardssituationsongoingwhich demand attentiontoo7x6meansunderstandingcoreconcernsapplyingfocusedintentiondriveprocessforward rapidly instead sitting stagnant questioningapparent realities loomingeverbiggerthanbefore…allthese elements connected fosteringdiversitycivicengagement responsibility collectively ! Understandablewishnonprofitcaremodels benefittingentirecommunitiesresultsproducingbetteroutcomes supporting collaborative partnerships bringingfaithbacklosttrust forgingconnections strengtheningbondspromotingwellbeingforallinvolvedwillleadpositivechangeexperiencedbasedapproachesprovideopportunitiesexceedexpectations generate momentum upliftcommunitybuildingefforts undertaken togetherwithinspacesencouragingcollaborationempowermentsharingknowledgeuccessfulmodelsofferingenhancedoutcomesexistpotentialtransform societyrightnowiffinallychooseactconsistentlymaintaintransparencyreachinghighertruthamongoneanotherisnecessaryspacecreatedopenheartednesscompassionactiondrivencommunicationalwaysallowgrowthunderstandingreciprocalrelationships’importance prevails above all else. Investmentsmadeyieldgreaterreturnsthaninitialobservanceofthemotive drivinghumanprogress forward meaningfully impacting lives positively every step counts towards learning evolving acting responsibly… All thesewould lead positivechange ripplingthroughoutcommunity connections growingstronger bringinghope fulfillmentalongjourneysimaginingpossibilitiesnew horizons ahead!/P CLASS>Alan DuthieAGE39 OCCUPATION General Manager Of My FMAnd WOW-FM RELEVANTEXPERIENCE CURRENTWARD5COUNCILLOR NORFOLKCOUNTY GM/GSMOF98 MYFMAND99 WOW-FM13YEARS FORMER PRESIDENTNORFOLKCOUNTYFAIRANDHORSE SHOW/ NORFOLKAGSOCIETY CHAMBEROFCOMMERCECOFOUNDER100NORFOLKMENWHO GIVEADAMN RESIDENCESIMCOE/PCLASS>WHATDOYOUFEELISTHEMOSTPRESSINGISSUEFACINGNORFOLKCOUNTY?<PCLASS=”WPBLOCKPARAGRAPH” BROADLYTHEMOSTPRESSINGISSUEFACINGSIMCOEISREPAIRINGOURINFRASTRUCTURE ANDBALANCINGCOSTSASSOCIATEDWITHMAINTENANCEREPLACEMENTSFOREXISTINGSYSTEMSAS WELL ASCREATINGNEWCAPACITYFORWATERWASTEWATERUSAGEWHENNECESSARY. THEINCREASINGDEMANDSONRESOURCESMAKESADDRESSINGISSUESURGENCYTHROUGHOUTCOUNTYINEVITABLEASOURCOMMUNITYEXPANDSNEEDSEXTENDTOWARDSACCESSIBILITYANDBASICNEEDSBECAUSEIT’SBECOMINGSUSTAINABLEBETTERPLANNEDDESIGNSCOREARESPONSIBILITIESHERE. ........[ad_2]Source link
