Candidates Share Views for Norfolk Ward 4 Election

[ad_1]Candidates for Ward 4 of Norfolk County Council are (left to right) Drew Hemsley, Jeni Lambert, and Chris Van Paassen. Photo illustration by Brian Thompson / Submitted photosDrew HemsleyAge: 66Occupation: RealtorRelevant experience: President of Simcoe and District Real Estate Board, Chair of Cornerstone Association of Realtors®Residence: CharlottevilleWhat do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Norfolk County?Norfolk needs to focus on building a healthier municipal ecosystem. A strong tax base aims for a 65/35 split between residential and income-generating properties. Currently, Norfolk sits at a 78/22 split. The industrial sector in Norfolk is less than one-third of what it should be. Bringing in new industries and employers will help balance the ecosystem while creating jobs and drawing more people and businesses to the area. We need to revise our strategies to attract these companies to Norfolk County. All this contributes toward a balanced and thriving Norfolk that can tackle its challenges.If the county was awarded $10 million to spend, how would you propose using it?All spending decisions in Norfolk should answer two fundamental questions: Will this benefit residents equally? Can we achieve better returns elsewhere? It's about determining where Norfolk County can benefit most effectively at any given time. I envision utilizing these funds to enhance our appeal for major employers, which would ultimately lead to job creation, tax relief, and strengthening our reputation as a great place to live and grow. We must invest wisely so that it not only helps us now but also positions us well for the future.Norfolk has one of the highest water rates in the province, and more upgrades are needed to the system. What’s the solution?There are many factors involved with no straightforward solution. We've inherited an underfunded water treatment system that includes multiple aging water and wastewater plants spread over a large area. Our water systems operate on full cost recovery from user fees. To fund improvements, we need more users paying into the system as well as increased water supply for those additional users. Collaborating with provincial and federal governments will be essential in securing funding necessary to expand our water supply for current needs as well as future ones.Jeni Lambert (Bowyer)Age: 48Occupation: Store manager Pur EnvironmentalRelevant experience: Community outreach, school volunteer, youth sports coachingResidence: Windham areaWhat do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Norfolk County?The biggest challenge we face in Norfolk is supporting local businesses better. Support needs to come from leadership downwards; we have so much local talent that it's frustrating seeing an influx of contractors from cities instead of hiring locally. If we focused on employing local folks, we'd likely see projects completed on time and within budget since it's our own money we're investing.If the county was awarded $10 million to spend, how would you propose using it?If I had $10 million at my disposal, I'd direct it straight into our budget aimed at providing some relief for taxpayers. Given today's economy, many people are struggling just to make ends meet with rising costs crippling households; we've seen food bank reliance soar too high lately. Using that money could help offset expenses significantly for families who desperately need financial relief right now.Norfolk has one of the highest water rates in the province, and more upgrades are needed to the system. What’s the solution?I think it's time we move away from relying on expensive inter-urban water supplies when we have capable local well heads available already! Many rural properties can attest how good our local water quality is; sometimes keeping things simple works best-water access through wells is one such example! Since Norfolk isn't urbanized like big cities are trying costly city solutions seems unwise.Chris Van PaassenAge: 66Occupation: FarmerRelevant experience: City of Nanticoke Council (1994), Tobacco Marketing Board (2001), Norfolk County Council (2018)Residence: Lifelong resident of Norfolk CountyWhat do you feel is the most pressing issue facing Norfolk County?The main issue remains balancing our overall budget while keeping tax rates affordable amid competing “needs vs wants” from all community members' perspectives simultaneously recognizing upcoming significant investments required due aging infrastructure needing replacement soon which requires planning today!If the county was awarded $10 million to spend , how would you propose using it ? If unexpected money comes along , there ’ s no need searching endlessly finding ways wasting said funds. Treating this situation similar year-end surplus means allocating portions towards paying off scheduled projects initially financed through borrowing thus reducing debts later down line ; reserving remaining amounts funding upcoming endeavors while suggesting adding additional $1M road maintenance budget during discussions last year wouldn’t hurt either !Norfol k has o ne o f th e high est wat er rat es i n th e prov ince , an d mo re up grad es ar e ne eded t o th e sys tem. W hat ’s th e sol ution ?O ver years past , plans seemed centered around doing nothing hence why faced present circumstances today.Currently , Nor folk operates five distinct systems necessitating maintenance replacement progressively over duration ; alternatively transitioning toward single-source interconnected framework may become viable option. Stability achieved keeping existing clients active prolong life cycles incurred assets whilst evaluating preferred paths following detailed costing analysis completion before reaching final decision point awaits ![ad_2]Source link

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