Councillor forum covers usual topics

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

An estimated 350 people were at the arena Monday night for the first of two candidates' forums being hosted by the Uxbridge Cosmos. Monday's session presented most of the candidates for ward councillors: next Monday will feature candidates for mayor, regional councillor and school trustees (see details on page 8).

During opening remarks, incumbents Pam Beach (Ward 1), Gordon Shreeve (Ward 2) and Willie Popp (Ward 4) listed their accomplishments as members of council, while challengers spoke of issues that they felt need attention. For a couple of challengers, the treatment of hamlets was a concern. Karen Wood Kenyon, running in Ward 1, said people in Goodwood feel that they don't matter, while Janet Betts, running in Ward 2, said hamlets feel left out. Wood Kenyon said she is seeking election "to look after those who don't get looked after."

Did you miss attending the Forum? Watch here.

W. David Ward, running in Ward 5, said council has to focus on those issues that might affect the municipality down the road. His opponent, Christine McKenzie said she will be focused on "good governance, accountability and transparency."

Alex Orr, challenging Willie Popp in Ward 4, said increased traffic and speeding have become noticeable. Popp in turn noted his work on the downtown revitalization project and said "experience matters."

Craig Marlatt, a candidate in Ward 3, spoke of his years offering service in the Scouting movement and said he wants to increase community connections. His opponent, Jacquie Hermans, said she would like to see responsible growth in Uxbridge, acknowledging "I don't have all the answers, but I'll do my homework."

Lori Kennedy, running in Ward 1, said the township needs a strong council.

"I can sit and complain, but that doesn't help," she said. "That's why I'm running."

The first question from a member of the public raised the issue of online voting, which produced an audible groan from the audience. Kennedy, Wood Kenyon and Betts all said they were opposed to online voting, while Ward said it is "part of the ongoing creep to put everything online." Beach said she had concerns but voted with council "because of the economics." Popp said 66 per cent of Ontario municipalities already use online voting and he felt it was a good path forward. Other candidates felt it was a good way to increase the vote.

Moderator Ted Barris used that moment to advise the crowd about the township's four Voter Assistance Centres that will provide help to voters from Oct. 13 to Oct. 26.

The perennial issue of truck traffic through the urban area arose, with a questioner asking why there is no enforcement to make truckers follow signs directing them around the town. McKenzie offered that it is not an easy problem to fix.

"If it was, it would have been done," she said.

Popp said there is enforcement "but we're not done. We will get better."

Late in the session, a farmer asked what council could do to support the agriculture sector. Beach responded that most people don't know how expensive it is to run a farm and Wood Kenyon said too much farmland is being taken away. Betts offered that perhaps the high school co-op programs should include jobs on farms.