Carl Bromwich on the Town Hall forum

For readers’ convenience, The Current shows on this page only Carl Bromwich’s replies from the Town Hall forum. The most recent questions and answers are near the top. Click HERE to return to the Town Hall forum to see other candidates’ responses.  

• Margy Krafchik & James Wilson

As a long time seasonal resident, and now full-time resident of Madawaska Valley, we were extremely disappointed in the Town Hall forum held at the Legion, and, yes, kicking ourselves for not standing up to ask questions.
We can only chalk up the reason why to shock. Shock at what we were hearing (and didn’t hear).
First, we felt disrespected when Councillor Peplinski did not show up (for a second time), as we had a question for him. Of the remaining candidates we felt disappointed over their lack of vision how they seemed to get trapped in the “me” rather than “us” and what they can do to enhance the community.
Case in point; The fitness centre, which in our view is a necessity, especially in an aging community. Yet all the mayor could do was play the blame game; not enough memberships or grants. We would have loved to hear from other candidates about how they would tackle/fix this issue.
Every year we pay a considerable amount in taxes, for which we dug our own well, recently replaced our septic, plow our own road and take our garbage 10km to the dump. We are not alone yet no candidate seemed able to move beyond the status quo.
Upon hearing that the average age is higher and the income is well below the provincial average, we urge councillors to think outside the box.
We also wanted to ask — and wondering why the Current did not — why Mayor Love and Councillor Maika have not been responding to any of the resident questions to the current’s on-line blog.
We have cast our ballots in the hope that change will come.
Margy Krafchik & James Wilson

• Carl Bromwich

To Margy and James,
I won’t cover much in your post here other than the Fitness Centre as I gave my platform at the all candidates introduction where I stated that the Path Forward Strategic Plan is my main focus for the next 4 years and this can be downloaded off our Madawaska Valley website for your perusal.
Regarding the Fitness Centre, we received a two year grant from Trillium 3 years ago that enabled us to start what became a highly successful and professional centre for all ages run by a spectacular fitness Instructor, Rhea Sabatine. This was initiated by our Community Coordinator who was praised by many neighbouring Townships and Provincial counterparts for engaging with the School Board to hammer out an agreement that many thought was unique and the way of the future for schools that were empty at night and virtually empty.
Unfortunately we lost this employee during the last year of the Fitness Centres operation and basically no work was done to make it a sustainable initiative after the completion of the grant subsidy.
Other connections with financing bodies such as Health Ministries and Sports Ministries were not made and we basically ran out money to continue without involving the tax base for funding.
On an optimistic note, we now have a new Community Coordinator in place, Stephanie Plebon who is looking into options for moving forward with getting the Centre back into action.
This will take quite a lot of work as once you close the doors on an initiative it is twice as hard to get them open again.
I am optimistic that with a new Council coming in we may see a fresh start and a “ made in Madawaska Valley” solution to what I call one of the most valuable assets we have here for all age groups that not only offers a sport facility, a fitness facility but a Health facility that makes our quality of life much better in our beautiful corner of the world!

 

• Kristin Marchand

Besides wanting to sell off our natural resources to collect tax dollars and short term employment, what are you planning for economic development that will encourage our young people to stay and work in our fantastic community. (Let’s not “pave paradise to put in a parking lot.)

I am referring to supporting large real estate developments in the area–not that this support is a bad thing–but what else is “in the works” for economic development.

• Wendy Wolak

Are you in favour of a ward system of municipal government?

As a seasonal resident, I do not believe there is fair balance or fair representation of the property owners with this existing ‘at-large system’. The concerns of the townspeople of Barry’s Bay are not necessarily shared with the residents from the east side nor the west side of 62. It makes more sense to me that there is someone who is representing me and understands my concerns and resides within the area. Otherwise, if the concern expressed, is unrelatable, then will I be treated fairly?

As mentioned earlier by another seasonal voter, we pay much in taxes and little to show for it. How can we move forward and improve this sense of disconnect and accountability?

• Carl Bromwich

Hi Wendy,
Regarding a ward system versus an at large system of voting, I have always stated that the ward system is a more democratic system than an open “run for the roses” type of campaign.
The reason for that is for many years in our little corner of the world it seemed that Council was made up of a majority from one area out of the 3 that Councillors were supposed to represent.
This could be called “ the old boys club” and was common throughout Rural Ontario, not to mention here.
Now that we are experiencing a retirement influx from urban centres there is more of a demand by new arrivals to demand better representation by their Councillors.
With the slate of candidates at this election which are spread over all 3 amalgamated Townships I think we have a much fairer representation and a ward system almost exists within this slate.
Let’s see how the next 4 years unfold and possibly revisit the ward system after the new Council on October 23 takes over.

 

• Helen Schmidt

In 2013, 2017, and 2018 the upper water level of Kamaniskeg lake was exceeded by the OPG water management team . The upper water levels resulting in flooding . The flooding resulting in property damage to Kamaniskeg Lake, and the Madawaska River property owners. During this time Bark lake was never lowered to its minimum level.
We are summer residents on the Madawaska River. The financial consequences and property loss because of the flooding is huge. High water plus large wakes from the boats are undermining the Madawaska Township shorelines.
Yes, I know it’s a system. A system managed by the OPG that is not working for the the property owners on Kamaniskeg Lake and the Madawaska River.

What influence does the Madawaska Township Council have on the Ontario Power Generation/ Ministry of Natural Resources water management plan?

• Carl Bromwich

Hi Helen,
Regarding the Township and OPG relationship on water levels on Kamaniskeg and other waterways, we have input with the Ontario Government and it’s ministries such as Municipal Affairs and MNR, but have no direct policy oversight or management of their programs. During the latest flood event, residents first approached our Municipality for answers and help with some serious concerns about property damage and life threatening situations.
We as a Municipality reached out and helped to repair properties under threat and used what resources we had to protect our residents and their properties.
Once the battle was over we then approached MNR and Municipal Affairs with what damage was done and how much it cost the township to ensure the safety of our township residents.
The Municipal Affairs branch of the Ontario Government then conducted many public meetings to try and answer questions and concerns about OPGs practices.
To sum this up, I can say that we do not have any direct control over water level management but we do try and keep an open door policy with OPG and MNR regarding their operations to advise and voice concerns from our residents.
In the end it is still an upper tier governments operation that affects us as a lower tier government.

 

• Pat Scott

What do you think is the most pressing issue in our Municipality and what suggestions would you bring to the table to begin resolution to the issue?

• Carl Bromwich

To Pat Scott re: Priority in the Township.
I have answered this in a previous inquiry from Wilmer Matthews and I will cut and paste my reply as follows:
“I would suggest that there are two immediate priorities. The first and foremost is to re-staff our present office with key personnel that will develop new initiatives to get our township “back on track” as it was over a year ago when we were designated the number one destination in Renfrew County. Of course that designation was mostly due to the very active events throughout all 4 seasons of our year and the focal point of our Arts and Culture at the Railway Station.
The number 2 priority goes hand in hand with number 1 and that is the implementation of our strategic plan developed by input from the community and is called “ The Path Forward”. This dovetails nicely with the full compliment of professional staff as it is a blueprint for success much like our earlier Economic Development Strategy that was used so wisely to create the above success as THE destination of Renfrew County.
We have the plan and now we need the Council and staff to implement it. This is what I bring to the table as immediate priorities.”

• Pat Scott

Thank you Carl. Sorry to repeat, – I must have missed Wilmer’s comment and your previous reply.

 

• Nels Boehme

• Carl Bromwich

To Mr. Boehme,
During our budget wrap up this summer Council stated that there would be some increases in taxes for some homeowners while others would see a slight decrease.
MPAC is the assessment agency that gauges your homes value and that is the agency that you should contact if you feel your being overtaxed.
Their website is as follows and there is a “ reconsideration” procedure you can follow to apply for a re-assessment.

https://www.mpac.ca/PropertyTypes/PropertyAssessmentProcedures/AssessmentProcedureRequestReconsiderationProcess#3

In summing up the Township has only increased taxes to basically match the GDP so that we can stay within a gradual taxation model that doesn’t fluctuate greatly and allows the Township to plan in an orderly fashion.

 

02 Sept. 2018 –The Current has copied below the responses from Carl Bromwich to all questions and comments that have appeared on the Town Hall forum to date. More recent questions and answers will appear above.

 

• The Current

Madawaska Valley currently uses the Standing Committee form of municipal governance. In the belief that it can be more effective and less time-consuming, some municipalities have adopted the Committee-of-the-Whole model. What would be your preference, and why?

 

• Carl Bromwich

Regarding Standing Committees versus Committees of the Whole. Having worked inside both systems for my last two terms, I would say that the Standing Committees is the way to go. It limits the number of Councillors involved so that a Recommendation from that Committee to Regular Council of the Whole can be debated, discussed and possibly modified to be adopted with a majority in the public forum so that the people can actually see how that recommendation came about. With Committees of the Whole, once a Recommendation is brought about to proceed to Regular Council Meetings, it just gets rubbed stamped with no further discussion, usually depriving the public from any meaningful debate. Not very Democratic in my opinion!

 

• Pat Scott

In response to Carl. I would be happy to discuss the request I made about water and sewer and info on who I spoke to and when. Feel free to contact me anytime.

But the big question still remains – businesses want to be on main corridors. What is the existing policy on requests from businesses who wish to connect? What willingness is there. Are there incentives for businesses. Businesses are not likely in subdivisions. What about ratepayers, for example on Needham St who want to connect, as there are unserviced lots there? If we are not forward thinking we can’t expand our tax base and get much needed tax dollars to keep up. We need to capitalize on the opportunities brought to us with a robust market and this puts us in a growth spurt. How do we tackle a need for growth?

 

• Anne Bonnah

The Action Plan in The Path Forward (township strategic plan) included a recommendation to take steps that would address the existing gap in affordable housing stock for seniors. What suggestions do all the candidates have to accomplish this?

 

• Carl Bromwich

A very good question Anne,
Our Strategic Plan was developed by the residents of our Township through public meetings and was basically their “ wish list” for the future of our Madawaska Valley. One recurring issue that is all the more pertinent today as it was 4 years ago is the limited affordable housing for our senior population.
It is a problem with every rural township in Ontario. More and more seniors are looking for affordable housing and it falls on the Municipality to try and supply that demand. In a large urban centre it is very easy to take on Community Housing and run low rental accommodation. For a rural municipality of our size it is very difficult to get involved in a Community Housing Strategy as tax dollars are very limited. I have personally seen the private sector stepping in and providing an answer and in addition to private development helping out we now start to see our Planning Act beginning to address this shortfall. Every new home being built will be allowed to build a rental unit within it to help support the homeowners costs to maintain that home. I have also witnessed subdivision discussions where low cost housing for seniors will be included in their plans. This may not completely answer your question in the short term but I see hope for a greater supply of affordable housing in the near future.

 

• Bernadine Roslyn

I’m concerned about the responses to Pat Scott’s question about attracting business to the township. People are talking about expanding the water and sewage system, yet offering tax incentives to attract new business. Barry’s Bay residents are already paying unreasonable rates for water. Will the cost of expansion be also loaded onto residents of the village? Or are candidates willing to brave the opposition of rural residents and spread the costs of expansion over the entire tax base?

 

• Carl Bromwich

Hi Bernadine,
A hot topic for sure and well worth digging into it! First off we all know what a ruckus was caused when the last Council tried to spread the cost of water across rural residents outside of Barry’s Bay . Rural residents of which I am one are responsible for their own water and septic services and the cost of drilling a well not to mention septic maintenance runs into tens of thousands of dollars and we sure wouldn’t expect the Townspeople of Barry’s Bay to help pay for that. My feelings on newly developed homes in Barry’s Bay that don’t have water and sewer but will need it such as a new subdivision should not have a huge development charge attached to the sale of each property to support the cost of extending water and sewer services. This should be part of the operation costs associated with a township that embraces development. The reasoning behind this is that once water and sewer are hooked up they are now a customer of our water and waste system under a metered system and as you stated pay a large amount of money for that service on an ongoing basis. More usage by more homeowners should translate into a less expensive water and sewer rate. On a positive note here, each and every piece of property sold builds up a larger tax base which adds valuable dollars to our overall prosperity and should translate into keeping tax increases for the whole township at a reasonable rate.
Now, about tax rebates or tax assistance for new businesses. This is a big city initiative and would be warranted in a p,ace like Toronto where the Provincial Government has no problem handing out huge tax incentives to have large companies locate there. “Amazon”being a good example. However, in a small rural township we must treat every single business owner equally and if we ever offered one single new business an incentive it would set a precedent for all for many years to come.
In the end however whatever the majority of residents want then Council should listen.

 

• Pat Scott

Thanks for your reply. If we look at the village boundaries where water and sewer end we have no place really for new businesses to go to that has municipal services. Some types of business require a municipal supply. We need new businesses in order to grow and create jobs and keep younger people and their families in the area, otherwise we will be a community of seniors (not that it is bad to be seniors but we need the younger workers and businesses to make it possible to shop locally). How would you envision the commercial expansion could happen in the village if we don’t have some plan for the water and sewer expansion? I know that I tried to get information for a client about costs to hook into the system and it was an unsatisfactory run around. This is not the way we attract new business. This is now more important than ever as we are in a state of growth. Thoughts on this please

 

• Carl Bromwich

This is a question back to Pat Scott regarding her inquiry into costs of hooking up to water services. It would be interesting to find out who the inquiry was made to and when and if there was any answer at all. All I know for sure is that if there is a requirement for additional water services which of course would be proposed by a new subdivision application, then water services would be expanded to service it. I also know that we have had planning applications for businesses that looked outside our water services area so they could supply their own water and septic systems so they wouldn’t be saddled with the high costs of township water. OCWA is our contractor that oversees all matters related to water and waste and would be involved in any development planning that required additional services. This contractor is part of our Committee of Water and Waste chaired by Shelley Maika and any inquiries would go through that committee.

 

• Pat Scott

I have a question for all the councilors and mayoral candidates. We all are aware that the municipality has to do more with a shrinking budget. How do you envision that we can attract development to increase our tax base and save us from big tax hikes? What could be some suggestions you would make at the table? Have concessions ever been considered, especially to attract new businesses? I believe part of our limitation is the cost of extending water and sewer line as we have almost hit a dead end on in town commercial development. What are your thoughts?

 

• Carl Bromwich

As I have stated previously, Tourism and Recreation draws people to our Township and some decide to move here permanently which builds a stronger tax base and in some instances those folks also start new businesses. Recreation and Tourism go hand in hand with Economic Development. This has been proven many times over since I took office almost 5 1/2 years ago.
More land development within our Barry’s Bay town limits will require additional water and sewer development if there is a requirement. We removed development charges last as an incentive to build here. That was the first step. There is no magic bullet that will attract economic development, just hard work, providing a welcoming township with recreational and tourist events. The Railway Station was the centre for tourists and events that included the arts and culture of our area. It must be restored to that level with our new Council and the strategic plan, The Path Forward must be implemented. That should get us back on track! (Pardon the pun)

 

• Sue Wade

when you are hired by the public…. you must answer all questions from the community……

 

• Joseph Muscat

I’m a seasonal resident of Barry’s Bay and very happy to spend some of my time in this beautiful region. I’m also a visual artist and have participated in a number of group exhibitions at the station gallery including a solo show in 2016. Knowing that there was an art gallery in Barry’s Bay was an important incentive in my coming here; I have met many other artists and local people through my connection with the station gallery.
Alas, it’s a shame it’s gone. The last time I dropped in the now so-called info or tourist centre, it was depressing to see a handful of people heads buried in their devices, there only to check their mail.
I’m paying a huge amount of money in taxes without reaping hardly any benefits. I have no town water, sewage, or garbage collection. The one thing that I once felt somewhat justified paying my taxes for is now gone. I will vote for the next mayor and council member whose vision of the township includes the arts and the local gallery.

 

• Doug DeLaMatter

Joseph, your thoughts echo many residents of the area, both seasonal and permanent. Just two years ago, the Station had a knowledgeable and dynamic manager employed by the township. In just 5 years, she increased the number of visitors from ~ 1000 (2004) to ~ 11,000 (2009). In 2014 there were just under 10,000 visits (available OVTA numbers). A good number were tourists, but many were also local people attending shows, classes, and other group activities. The Station was a dynamic centre for creative activities that served the community as much as travellers.
All of this for about $10.00/yr. per 100,000 assessment.

Unfortunately, she is no longer employed by the Twp.

This winter, Madawaska Valley Culture and Heritage Society, a non-profit corp., offered to run the Station and all of the activities in the Station Park for about 2/3 of the budget assigned in each of the previous 2 years. Council chose to withhold that necessary funding, and chose to run the Station staffed only by Summer Students.

I hope that a new Council will recognize that whether or not support for the Arts, Heritage and Culture appeals to them and their neighbours, we need to offer activities that appeal to people who don’t live here yet… Activities that will attract new skilled people to the area, to support our aging residents who have made the township their home, and to share their skills (and tax revenues) with the community.

For 124 years, the Train Station in its various roles, has been a window on our community and way of life. In 2017, that window was broken. As with any window, it was easy to break and will be much harder to fix. We all hope that the new Council will decide to repair the damage to the programming and to our reputation as a forward-looking community. When they make that decision, they will find a groundswell of support among permanent and seasonal residents.
Plans are already afoot by the MV Culture and Heritage Society to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the first train arriving in Barry’s Bay on the Labour Day weekend in 2019. Let us hope that by then, we have a Station and an active Creative Centre program that we can show off with pride to the visitors who will attend.

 

• Carl Bromwich

My vision all along has been to make the Railway Station the focal point of Arts and History and Culture for our area. We did achieve that at one time but due to unfortunate events we lost valuable staff and incentives to keep it functions at such a high level. My main intent for the upcoming Council is to try and convince them to once again make our Township THE destination in Renfrew County!!

 

• The Current

Question re “Pot Shops” 
In our recent article about the new cannabis selling laws (click HERE to read that article) The Current reported that municipalities will have the option to opt out of permitting retail outlets within their boundaries. Potentially this issue will be one of the more taxing and controversial decisions the new council will have to make early in its term. For this reason, The Current believes that voters should be familiarized with each candidate’s views on this issue.
Are you in favour of a “pot shop” located in Madawaska Valley or not? Please give reasons for your view.

 

• Carl Bromwich

Welcome to 21 st Century!
As long as a small business operates under Provincial and Federal guidelines for the safety and respect for their customers then we should have no problem sanctioning a business that will create jobs, provide a service, specially for Medicinal users which hasn’t been provided up to now with the exception of questionable providers.

 

• Pat Scott

The ski hill, since I came to the area in 1976, has gone thru many scenarios with The Municipality being amongst a list of owner/operators of the ski hill. Many of those previous situations failed completely. It is very,very short sighted of any rate payer who would choose to not vote for Mark because of a business decsion by someone else that was beyond his direct ability to control.

 

• Gary and Miriam Hedderson

Your piece really hits the mark, Pat. The Railway Station and all that it was definitely should be a priority of the new council. I volunteered there for many years and still feel the tremendous loss to the community. It tended to be a gathering place. There was always something interesting going on – inside or outside. In addition to learning about the history of this area, we were all exposed to the artistic talent of the Valley – through art exhibits, workshops, music and dance performances or special events. Some met there to share their love of craft. Others came together to do restoration work on railway artifacts. It truly was a gem and as a volunteer at the desk, I was told many times that we should be very proud of it. Visitors said more than once that they would like to ‘live here’ just because of their Railway Station visit. When you have a ‘gathering place’ in the community, a place where learning is going on and there is a sharing of interests, the community is sstronger for it!

Miriam Hedderson

 

• Sue Wade

Everyone is talking about more, more building etc. I’m concerned we are headed to be the next Muskoka… if I wanted to live there I would have bought there. The homes that they want to build Chippawa will raise my taxes and force people to move. Why does anything have to chance? and if changes occur we must look at the long term affect on people and environment not bull doze for dollars …

 

• Carl Bromwich

Good topic as development begins to take hold in a township inevitably things appear to be changing fairly quickly and a “Muskoka Scenario” will be on everyone’s mind. Your very concern has been discussed at length many times at the street level and inside Council. I can categorically state that this is on everyone’s mind when we discuss Development.
It is rather unfortunate that the Ontario Planning Act limits a municipality’s involvement in land development, yet we do have certain core values that we can apply on a case to case basis. I call it “ Controlled Development” and so far it has worked quite well.
We are talking about development on or near our water and our Township has one theme that has been applied to any and all development so far. That is, no development will eliminate public access to a lake such as has happened in Muskoka, which includes “ gated communities”.
Our residents have access to all the lakes and rivers in our Township and hopefully this will not be compromised in the future. Your concern about higher taxes is reasonable but on the other side of the argument one can see that a larger tax base brings in more revenue which should offset larger tax increases. MPAC is the assessment agency that controls the values of ones home of course and municipalities have no control over that provincial agency.
All we can do as a township is to reflect the communities concerns in their decision making when it comes to developments and with the long range understanding that development handled carefully will bring in new jobs, new residents and more revenue for our overall good.

 

• Colleen Divell

Can we assume that those candidates who have not been interviewed by The Current have either declined or ignored the invitation?

 

• The Current

The three candidates who have not responded to requests for interviews are Love, Maika and Peplinski. Candidate Kaminski has agreed to an interview and arrangements are being made to conduct this.

 

• Lois Yantha

Pat Scott, you said it best!

 

• Linda Neuman

I would really like to read the answers to these questions from ALL candidates. Not responding or getting your views out there to the community would indicate that you’re really not interested in reaching and serving all areas of the municipality only the ones you choose. Very troubling.

 

• William Houle

Wondering what all candidates opinions on expanding ,relocating or building a new public library are.

 

• Carl Bromwich

Our library is an active and successful community hub which has attracted both local and seasonal residents for many years and will continue to be a valuable asset for our Township for many years to come. It’s success is due to having great staff and volunteers who care deeply that this facility keeps up to date and work very hard to make sure all that visit have their needs met.
The latest renovation opened it up so that there were more spacious areas and storage facilities and made visitors feel more comfortable with various displays that fuel the research oriented folks interests.
The children’s area downstairs is exceptional and I can state first hand that when my grandchildren discovered that area it was difficult to get them to leave.
We depend on Government grants and local tax dollars for expansion and upgrades and hopefully our new Provincial partners will invest more into making sure our library will not only just exist but expand to handle increased visitors that are coming now to our Township.

 

• The Current

The Current confirms that each candidate in this election receives at their registered email address every question directed at them as posted on the forum. In order to avoid further repetition of such questions, perhaps the candidates who are conspicuous by their absence would see fit to explain why they are denying voters the benefit of their views. The Current provides this Town Hall forum as a public service. It may interest readers to know that since we launched the forum on August 8 it has been viewed more than a thousand times.

 

• Linda Shulist

Well said Pat Scott re: Station and the Arts Community. I would like to hear from the Candidates re: if elected I would ____________________________ to restore/promote the arts in our community and enhance the use of the Station building.
I also think this page is a great way to hear where our candidates stand on all issues. Thanks for doing this.

 

• Carl Bromwich

Hi Linda,
A great question and the restoration and promotion of Arts and Recreation has been paramount in my portfolio as Chair of Recreation Tourism and Culture. It is very unfortunate that for over a year now we have been lacking a Community Coordinator who would be the very person required to promote and oversee restoration of our Arts community intitiatives. The Railway Station of course is the centre of these initiatives and must be a priority in the new Council that will be voted in on October 22. Some hope in that direction should be announced shortly and a more positive dialogue can then be had.

 

• Kristin Marchand

I wish all candidates would reply to the questions/comments. Not having easy access to all the candidates’ ideas and opinions seems to indicate that those who don’t engage in this forum don’t want my vote.

 

• Mary Susan Smith

I agree, Kris. Surely everyone running has a vested interest in making their views known to the community of voters. Failure to engage appears to suggest that they are not really all that interested in being elected.

 

• Beth Hildebrandt

Right on Kris!!

 

• Nancy Checko

A question to all candidates…
The PJY Community Centre is showing its wear. This has great potential to be used year-round for trade shows; cultural, social and entertainment events; education and training sessions; and, of course, year-round athletics – we do see these uses now but in very limited numbers. Do you see upgrades, and possible expansion, to this facility as a priority for our township? What is your vision for making it more attractive and accessible to interested users?

 

• Carl Bromwich

Our PJ&Y Community Centre is very important in the overall Recreation and Social events that take place in the Madawaska Valley Township.
Well over 40 years old now and needs continuous support both in maintenance and promotion of events.
We just had the roof painted which should ensure that deterioration is halted for some time now and we just replaced some very expensive ice making components that had reached their life span.
The freezing mechanism under the ice has now reached its life span and needs replacing. By using a cost saving measure we have kept the ice mechanisms working for now, and must boast that we probably have the best ice surface in Ontario because of our knowledgeable staff and dedicated work ethic.
Like almost every Rural Township in Ontario, Rink’s are costly and because recreation and tourism isn’t a “ core service” usually end up last in budget talks as priority.
The huge question here is “ who will pay for these initiatives”?
With a willing council and a majority of citizens who think that a Community Centre such as ours needs more $$$ invested into it then anything is possible.
One more piece of the puzzle is a staff member who has access to grants, funding, event planning and promotions that would make this successful. We have been without that person for over a year. Hopefully that will change in the very near future.

 

• Beth Hildebrandt

I would really like to hear from ALL the candidates with these great questions.

 

• Travis Richards

I have a big question for the entire new council. As a business owner myself I would like to see more People start business in the Township Of Madawaska Valley. Do the people running for council, that includes the mayor, support business development and growth In the township? I would also like to see a brochure that profiles all the businesses and that would be distributed within Renfrew County. I would be happy to work with any council member or mayor in the next council on this brochure project.

 

• Lynne Yantha

Well said Mark. What do you see as other opportunities to enhance our community to make us more attractive to tourists and potential residents alike? By your experience, what (aside from high speed internet) are we missing? I would also like to see what ElserLee offers here.

 

• Kristin Marchand

Without breaching any client confidentiality, can you describe the ways in which you have helped small businesses or point to specific examples of where you have helped small businesses?

 

• Carl Bromwich

As Chair of Economic Development back in my last term for 1 1/2 years our committee implemented almost 85% of the Economic Development Strategy Plan that was written in 2010 and didn’t get any attention until I started in Council in 2013. The resulting implementation and successful grant achievements we garnered to enhance programs and develop a business friendly community set us on a path that saw MV Township attract developments which are in full swing today. Tim Hortons was one example of having an attractive township that made their move here not only exciting but provided many new jobs that didn’t exist. The establishment of the BIA was another positive creation that has added to our Townships success.
High Speed wireless goes without saying that it is a necessary component in modern day business affairs and advertising in the form of films and brochures have exposed our beautiful area to many out of town and out of country visitors.
The list goes on but as I’ve stated before now we need to start aggressively instituting our Path Forward Plan to continue the momentum we had a year ago. EcDev attracts business which creates jobs and in turn demands more Recreation Culture and Heritage initiatives to make it a “fun place” to live!

 

• Bernadine Roslyn

AlgonquinEast.com maintains a business directory for the whole area from Algonquin Park to Eganville. The directory covers the whole area because there are services located outside MV township that township residents will want to access and also because we want people from outside MV township to make use of the directory. We would welcome support from MV Township to help with updating and promoting the directory.
There was a Welcome Package developed several years ago; but it was never produced. This publication contained information of use to new residents. Much of the content would still be relevant today.

 

• Barb Schaefer

Looking forward to responses from All candidates to these excellent questions.

 

• Linda Neuman

I have a question for all candidates:
What are your views on having members of the public on committees and giving them voting privileges on those committees even though they are not ‘elected’ by the public?

 

• Carl Bromwich

I have publicly stated my position on non elected participants on committees with a vote since day one of this term. I was against it from the very start. My reasons are as follows. Why would someone who was not in the election race as a candidate be accepted as a member of a committee and granted a vote giving them the same power as an elected official?
When asked to sign our Code of Conduct policy the public participants refused using the “Freedom of Speech” argument, yet elected officials basically had to in order to follow our Procedure Policy. Since that day of signing I have held that Code of Conduct Policy in high regard.
There is an option for public participation and I personally have been on two of these Committees before taking public office. They are called Public Liason Committees and we’re actually promoted by Queens Park decades ago to deal with specific initiatives such as waste site closures or openings. Being a member of a Public Liason Committee does NOT give you a vote! The public input was considered to be the plan behind these committees and worked fairly well.
I’ve said it before and will one more time, that if a person wants to be part of the governance of their Township with voting rights for 4 years, they should have put their name on the nomination platform and run a public campaign asking for votes to represent the electorate.

 

• Wilmer Matthews

To each of the incumbents : Love, Archer, Peplinski, Bromwich and Maika—What one thing have you learned from your time on Council that will make you better at your position if re-elected?

To: Challengers: Willmer, Kaminski, & Shulist—What one strength would you like to bring to the Council table if elected?
To: All candidates—What do you see as the top priority for the new Council?

 

• Carl Bromwich

“What one thing have I learned from my time on Council that will make me better at my position if re-elected?”

I have served on Council now for 1 1/2 years of the last term and now a complete 4 years during the current term. I have chaired Recreation, Heritage and Culture. I have chaired Economic Development. I have chaired Fire and Protection. I have chaired the Lipusz Twinning Committee. I have chaired the Community Policing Advisory Committee. I have also Vice Chaired Emergency along with being a member of all Committees when we were Committee of the Whole during the last term. Throughout this time with the various duties and interactions with our staff who do the heavy lifting with policy and procedures I have learned one thing.
Staff will bring their plans and initiatives to the table for approval or dismissal of Council. Our staff is our strength and if allowed to do what they are hired to do the Township will be a success and growth and improvements in our quality of life within the Madawaska Valley Township will be very evident. I know the strengths and weaknesses within our township and I know what needs to be done to succeed. This is what I bring to the table and if elected I will continue to promote this strategy at all costs.

“What do I see as the top priority for the new Council?”

I would suggest that there are two immediate priorities. The first and foremost is to re-staff our present office with key personnel that will develop new initiatives to get our township “back on track” as it was over a year ago when we were designated the number one destination in Renfrew County. Of course that designation was mostly due to the very active events throughout all 4 seasons of our year and the focal point of our Arts and Culture at the Railway Station.
The number 2 priority goes hand in hand with number 1 and that is the implementation of our strategic plan developed by input from the community and is called “ The Path Forward”. This dovetails nicely with the full compliment of professional staff as it is a blueprint for success much like our earlier Economic Development Strategy that was used so wisely to create the above success as THE destination of Renfrew County.
We have the plan and now we need the Council and staff to implement it. This is what I bring to the table as immediate priorities.

 

• Pat Scott

Although I understand and embrace the need for preserving history and the stories that go with it, the train station is more than this……It is not more than a few years ago it was considered the premiere example of what the tourist information booth should be in the Valley. We were held up as an example across the county by OVTA. It also served as the hub of our art community here in the Bay and the offering of various art exhibits, artistic programming, farmer’s market, taste of the valley, artisan shows and so much more. This is the diamond of the Bay and the restoration of all of this needs to be a priority, – whether privately or with the full involvement of the municipality. It took a long time for Paul Nopper and the Station staff to implement and come up with all of the wonderful attractions, workshops, sponsored art exhibits etc. In a breath it is gone. We need to ensure that we preserve this building along with the culture that surrounds it. You personally do not have to love the arts or even like farm fresh produce to embrace what the Station does to enrich our area. There are dollars that port to businesses every time someone stops in the Bay, – absolutely every time. It is not just to use the washroom at the station. Tourism is the probably the single largest economic input into our area as far as the money left behind by our seasonal residents and the tourists that come to enjoy the beauty of the area. We have struggled for quite some time with the shortsightedness of the councils and I think that the station needs to be an election issue. Artists of all forms choose to come to this area to live, raise their families and work and it is because we have a vibrant artistic community that this is happening. I think that councillors forget that we need to attract families and workers, entrepreneurs, to the area in order to guarantee our survival. Although we are so very fortunate to have a hospital, we need activities, recreation, programs for children, sports etc to help people make the decision that this is a destination where they want to raise their families.

 

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