The Meaford Independent

Dear Editor,

I read with interest your description of 2010 Election race (or lack of) in the Independent. 

As I stated to you several weeks ago, I am personally dismayed and frustrated over the lack of residents putting their names forward to serve on Municipal Council.

It is a sad sign when practically no one in our Municipality of nearly 11,000 persons wishes to seek office.  Not to mention that we live in the greatest democracy in the entire world, where freedom of choice at election time is a supreme privilege and opportunity.

You seem to emphasize the fact that neither Councillor Shortt nor myself were successful candidates in the November 2006 election, but were appointed to Council after a couple of resignations. This fact is true, but you fail to mention that both Gerald and myself paid our $100, filed our papers, dialogued [sic] at public meetings, bought and installed election posters, did the ‘door to door’ campaigning practice, bought fuel for our vehicles so we could traverse the municipality, chatted on the phone to perspective voters, (and in the streets), etc, etc.

We paid our dues during the 2006 campaign, and although failing to win our sought after office, were later invited by those sitting on Council to join them and serve the community. Hopefully, the residents of our fine municipality will not forget our efforts, before the election, not to mention those since our appointments. Personally, I feel every bit as responsible for my position, whether elected or appointed.

As for a platform, I certainly have one in place, All you or anyone has to do is ask me for the information. I have been reluctant to release anything until after Sept. 10, when nominations close, UNLESS asked for it.

Many of my 2010 concerns are echoes from 2006. The number one objective I have is to ‘stay the course’ with our thus far successful, but delicate, financial recovery. Our five year financial strategy, researched and formulated largely by our new Treasurer Mr. Kennedy, with help from many other staff members, is working, but the plan must not be altered or strayed from.

I see 2011, which is the middle year of the plan, as the pivotal year, and one that must be safeguarded for the overall strategy to succeed. No extras, no straying from the objectives in place. Immediately after the new Council is sworn in, I strongly insist we sit down with our Senior Managers and have a very open, perhaps blunt conversation about our (Councils’) aspirations for the term ahead.(in a public forum, of course)  I favour the establishment of a term long Capital budget, and even a term long Operations Budget, although granted the latter must be somewhat flexible.

Expansion at, or perhaps relocation and the construction of a new Waste Water Treatment plant must be nailed down. We all know the present facility is reaching its capacity, and we need to have a specific plan in place to rescue it and our users. How soon, how much, where?? Questions to be deliberated and answered.

The ageing library on Trowbridge St, although a beautiful building, is hopelessly inadequate to provide library services to the more easterly residents of our municipality. A new facility must be provided, and I am anxious to bring the dream into fruition before the end of the next term. Although the Market Square has been selected by Staff as the preferential setting for the building, there are many who disagree. If not there, Council and the Library Board must get working on acquiring a suitable site.

Our roads and bridges, both rural and urban, are not being adequately maintained or reconstructed. We must continue to play ‘catch up’ on these necessities. Some of our rural bridges are well over 100 years old. They simply cannot handle the stressful burdens that today’s heavy trucks and farm machinery demand. Steady repair and rebuilding must be started and continued. We cannot wait until there is structural failure or a road that is washed out. We have a plan in place for roads, and staff are developing one for bridges. They must be followed.

I still wish to ‘reach out’ to our citizens living in the former Sydenham township. The feeling of ‘not belonging’ is still very prevalent with many of those who live in our western area. We must take more meetings, YES Council meetings to Bognor and Woodford. One of my main incentives would be to become more familiar with residents from the Former Sydenham area and their concerns. As deputy mayor, I would certainly be available to ALL our populace.

The Meaford Harbour is slowly being converted into a more people (family) friendly place, with an enjoyable environment for locals as well as visitors. We must continue to build on its popularity. More greening, more community related activities, maintain the summer sailing school, expand and improve the dock-age,  and of course, support the Farmers’ Market.

Cannot forget the Meaford Hall. I still maintain it must be made more affordable to all potential user groups. Management and Council need to work together to guarantee no reasonable community incentive is denied access to Hall because of exorbitant rental fees. A Summer Theatre season MUST be reintroduced. The ‘dark nights’ at the Hall must decrease greatly in number. it is a wonderful facility. We must make it busier, more affordable, and more geared to the community that pays the debt load.

Above all, LISTEN to those who live in this municipality. Listen, hear and respond.  Perhaps the answers are not what people wish to hear, but make sure there are answers, at least the best one can possibly provide, This Municipality of Meaford belongs to the wonderful people who live here. They are important to me, each and every one.

The above are a few of my objectives in seeking the deputy mayor’s position. My motto fro the 2010 election is, “Thinking towards the future, while learning from the past”. We must move forward. I fully feel, that with careful financial planning and futuristic economic development practices, it is indeed our Municipality’s ‘turn to go forward’ in the  next few years. As for the ‘past’, we must never forget our proud heritage that built this community, nor must we forget former mistakes that  were made. Let us learn from them, and be stronger for it.

Sincerely,

Harley Greenfield, Meaford Candidate for Deputy Mayor