Packed forum covers wide range of topics

Roger Varley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

From taxes to regional council to youth and online voting, three candidates for mayor, two for regional councillor and three school trustee candidates handled questions about a variety of issues at Monday's candidates forum at the arena, hosted by the Uxbridge Cosmos.

Did you miss watching the Forum? View on YouTube here.

When asked what they can and will do should the next regional chair be appointed by the province instead of being elected, only two - Ian Giffen for mayor and Jeff Mittman for regional councillor - called on the next council to stand strong against it. Bruce Garrod, the regional councillor incumbent, said there will be other changes to regional council but added he will push hard against representation by population. He said Uxbridge represents only three per cent of the region's population but the township "will not be ignored." Dave Barton, running for re-election as mayor, said Uxbridge will make the best possible relationship with whoever fills the position of chair, while mayoral candidate Ted Eng said people in rural areas have no voice at region.

James Bountrogiannis, running for one of two Durham District School Board trustee positions, made perhaps the most controversial remarks of the evening. In his introductory remarks, Bountrogiannis said there is no more discipline in schools and there are no consequences for poor grade scores. Later in the evening, he said only Ontario and Canadian flags should be flown at schools, adding that schools should be "absolutely neutral" on ideological and social policies. Dave Brown, another trustee candidate, said he didn't think schools should be "teaching sex ed in daycare: we can't push that on children."

There was little discussion on the subject of online voting, but Garrod offered that claiming seniors will have trouble voting online is a form of ageism.

On the subject of business, it was noted that Uxbridge has recently lost Boston Pizza, Staples, and Peavey Mart, and candidates were asked for their views. Giffen said economic development is part of the downtown revitalization project. He also said there should be more cooperation between the township, the BIA and the Chamber of Commerce, adding they have to do something about retaining businesses. Garrod said opportunities for business in Uxbridge are growing, while Barton said "this is Uxbridge's time." He also hinted that "good news is coming" about a new grocery store.

Asked how young people could become more involved in community affairs, Mittman said youth is our most important resource "but we ship them out." He said councillors need to visit schools and farms to mentor youth. Bountrogiannis said schools should get more visits from councillors. Barton replied that he has gone to the schools several times to talk about civics and youth groups often come to council meetings. Garrod noted that the Uxbridge Youth Centre had recently received a grant, while Eng said it is time to get youth away from their cell phones.

Given that many candidates talk about transparency, moderator Ted Barris asked what transparency means to them. Garrod pointed out that the Cosmos occasionally runs his columns about regional issues. Giffen complained there are too many in camera sessions at council, suggesting that council should come out of in camera sessions with a report on what was discussed with "legal stuff" redacted. Eng said he hears everything "through the grapevine." Barton countered by saying all council meetings and agendas are online but individual privacies have to be considered when in camera.