For readers’ convenience, The Current shows on this page only Shelley Maika’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
- Kristin Marchand
- 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- Nels Boehme
I just received my tax bill and find that my property taxes have taken one hell of an increase. WHY?????
02 Sept. 2018 –The Current has copied below the responses for Shelley Maika that have appeared on the Town Hall forum to date. To date no responses have been received from her. 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?
- 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?
- 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?
- 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
- 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?
- 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.
- 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.
- 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 stronger 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 …
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?
- Beth Hildebrandt
I would really like to hear from ALL the candidates with these great questions.
stion 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?
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?
- 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?
- 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.
Click HERE to return to the Town Hall forum to see other candidates’ responses.
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.