Deputy Mayoral Candidates – 24 Questions

Above is footage from the Thorndale All Candidates Politics Night on October 1st. 100% of the questions were submitted by the community.

Due to a shortage of time, we could not get through all the questions. Candidates were given the opportunity to answer the questions after the event. Those answers are below. We highly recommend you view this page with a computer to ensure the formatting is correct.

Paul Hunter - Deputy Mayoral Candidate

  1. What has motivated you to run for this position? What qualifications and experiences do you have that will support you to be successful in this role? 

My motivation is my desire continue to keep Thames Centre a great place to live, work and raise a family. I have served for the past 4 years as Councillor of Ward 3 and feel that as well as being a lifelong resident will help to make me a successful Deputy Mayor.

 

 

 

  1. If elected, what are your top three priorities for your work in Thames Centre? What would you define as the priorities for Thorndale specifically? 

My top 3 priorities are

1. making sure our infrastructure is in place to support current and future residents

2. Safety of our roads i.e. crosswalks where required, speeding etc.

3. Greater OPP presence in the Municipality.

 

  1. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?

I think we need to review all of our zoning by-laws to make sure they are up to date and meet the needs of our Community.

 

  1. Do you feel that the taxes including development fees that are collected in Thorndale are being used to support the growth and development of this community? Why or why not?

The taxes and development fees are used equally across the Municipality. Projects are completed as they are approved through the budget process.

 

 

 

  1. What are the most significant infrastructure needs here in Thorndale? What projects or priorities will you champion if elected? 

The Recreation Master Plan as a whole needs too be updated and items identified need to be acted upon. Priorities in Thorndale would be a crosswalk on King Street , walking trail system and improved lighting on the ball diamonds.

 

  1. How would you plan to support economic development in Thorndale? What are the current challenges for businesses in Thorndale, and how do you plan to address these concerns? 

I would work with local businesses to address their concerns and partner with  the County Economic Development Committee to get concerns acted upon. I believe some concerns are employment and transportation for employees. Perhaps the county transportation project could be addressed.

 

 

  1. Do you think our main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? *Please address the parking situation

I believe main street is healthy and vibrant. The parking needs to be addressed by working in conjunction with the County since King Street is a County road.

 

 

 

  1. Other neighbouring communities (Lucan, Parkhill, Aylmer) have had funding available to existing businesses to upgrade storefronts & interiors, and improve signage and curb appeal. How can you help make this available for business with a Thorndale address?

The new council needs to look at a new community improvement plan and help to implement it.

 

 

 

  1. Share some services that are available through Thames Centre that are not offered in Thorndale. What is your plan to ensure that residents from Thorndale have access to the same level of services and programs that are available in Dorchester or other communities of Thames Centre?

Thames Centre needs to have a staff person in the Thorndale Lions Community Centre to help residents with bill payment and applications etc. Seniors Centre needs to expand programs in Thorndale.

 

  1. How do you feel about the transportation options available in Thorndale? Can all of our residents affordably get where they need to go? If not, what will you do to improve transportation? *Please consider walkability as well 

We need to work with the County Transportation system to provide the best cost effective routes and times for bus routes. I also would be in support of expanding a trail system in Thorndale.

 

  1. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Thames Centre for Thorndale? 

I think a Town Hall meetings would be a great idea to encourage the public to get involved. Also I think the public needs to sit on different Committees to supply input.

 

 

 

    12. What is the most significant issue related to Thorndale's development in your opinion? 

SCHOOLS! We have to keep working with TVDSB and the province to ensure we have capacity at all of our schools.

 

  1. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.), how would you evaluate whether or not that project was worth implementing?

The project would need to be reviewed by staff to evaluate the need for the project, then the public would have the opportunity to have input to have their concerns addressed.

 

    14. If you received a $1 million grant to use for Thorndale any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

It would be used to have the greatest impact for the majority of the residents i.e. expansion of the Community Centre.

 

 

  1. Do you think municipalities have a role to play in mitigating and adapting to climate change? If yes, how does your platform address this? 

Yes, I believe we do have a role to play. As we build infrastructure we need to consider green energy alternatives. We need to continue with the pollinator projects.

 

 

 

    16. What is your stance on the Proposed Elliott Gravel Pit given it is located less than 1km away from an elementary school and subdivision? Will you advocate for additional air quality testing if the pit should become operational?

Gravel is a finite resource and needs to be managed properly. I would advocate for additional testing if necessary.

 

 

    18. What are the most significant safety concerns for Thorndale? What do you commit to doing to increase the responsiveness of the OPP to increase enforcement where necessary?

I believe traffic speeds, pedestrian traffic, OPP presence and road crossings are major safety concerns in the Municipality and I would work with the police services board to get a better police presence.

 

 

    19. How do you plan to invest in recreational opportunities for residents of all ages?

We should have the recreational master plan updated and follow the recommendations that come from it.

 

 

  1. When booking a Thames Centre facility, do you believe that there should be a different fee structure for those who are not from the community/serving the community?

I believe that there is already a two price system in place.

 

 

  1. Both the county and Thames Center official plans identify 100-acre parcels as the minimum size for farms. What is your position to those who wish to split 100-acre farms into smaller farm parcels? Would you support smaller farm parcels or remain at the current 100-acre size?

I would not support changing from the 100 acre minimum because we need to keep our farm operations viable.

 

  1. Considering the growth of the community with many new residents working outside of Thorndale, as well as the mandatory certifications for firefighters coming into effect, how is the municipality going to support and sustain the volunteer Fire Department as the community continues to grow?

This has been a problem for many years. We need to work with local businesses that employ our fire fighters to help ease the effect on them when a firefighter leaves to attend a faire call and they are left short handed. We also need to work with the Province to make training easily accessible locally so fire fighters don’t have to take time off work to attend.

 

Optional Questions:

 

  1. With mpac doing the assessment process soon what measures will you take to help lessen the impact those assessments have on the tax rates to avoid residents being taxed out of their homes?

To ease the tax burden we need to use a phased in period to ease the effect of assessment on the tax rate.

 

  1. What are the top 3 areas that need to be addressed with respect to parks and recreation in Thames Centre?

The 3 top areas that need to be addressed with respect to parks and rec in Thames Centre are

1. expansion of the Lions Senior Centre/VON.

2. Continue with upgrades to our trail systems and ball diamonds.

3. Encourage staff (which are largely young people) to continue doing the great job they are doing because without them we wouldn’t be able to enjoy these wonderful amenities.
*Sign media not submitted by the candidate

 

 

 

 

 

Michelle Smibert - Deputy Mayoral Candidate

  1. What has motivated you to run for this position? What qualifications and experiences do you have that will support you to be successful in this role? 

My Dad who lived in his house in Thames Centre for 50 years had very limited options for housing to age in place and many of his friends had to move out of the municipality. I would like to work with the community to develop housing options for seniors and young people. I have over 30 years experience in local government administration including as clerk of Thames Centre, I am a community volunteer, a graduate of Western’s Master of Public Administration Program and I am a lifelong resident of Thames Centre.

 

  1. If elected, what are your top three priorities for your work in Thames Centre? What would you define as the priorities for Thorndale specifically? 

My priorities include a strong strategic vision for our community, housing options for seniors and young people and a responsible financial plan.

 

 

 

 

  1. If you could change one thing in our zoning code, what would it be and why?

The zoning by-law is able to be amended through zoning by-law applications which are normally site specific for properties. I am not aware of any general updates that need to be undertaken.

 

  1. Do you feel that the taxes including development fees that are collected in Thorndale are being used to support the growth and development of this community? Why or why not?

Development charges are identified based on the infrastructure needs of all communities and those monies need to be spent on those needs. So, if improvements to the water system are needed in Thorndale then the development charges collected from Thorndale development will pay for this project.

 

  1. What are the most significant infrastructure needs here in Thorndale? What projects or priorities will you champion if elected? 

Infrastructure projects form part of the municipality’s asset management plan which is required to be in place as mandated by the Province. This plan will list the assets along with the condition of each asset. Funding is prioritized based on the critical condition of the infrastructure/assets.

 

  1. How would you plan to support economic development in Thorndale? What are the current challenges for businesses in Thorndale, and how do you plan to address these concerns? 

I have heard from residents a concern for additional commercial amenities such as a gas station. Normally, commercial businesses will do the required market studies to determine if they will locate in a community. Once the residential population increases, then commercial is not normally far behind. Labour shortages have had in an impact on all businesses in Ontario.

 

  1. Do you think our main street/downtown is healthy and successful? If not, what would you do to change that? *Please address the parking situation

I like the fact that Thorndale has a main street and I think that the main street looks healthy and vibrant. I have heard from residents that walkability in the downtown can be

improved to ensure that it is safe for everyone. I hope to work with the County on the necessary improvements to ensure safe walkways and parking solutions on the main street.

 

  1. Other neighbouring communities (Lucan, Parkhill, Aylmer) have had funding available to existing businesses to upgrade storefronts & interiors, and improve signage and curb appeal. How can you help make this available for business with a Thorndale address?

The County of Middlesex has had a revitalization program and funding to assist with façade and signage upgrades for communities. The program can be specific to certain communities such as Thorndale or Dorchester or can include all of the businesses within the municipality. This is normally done through the approval of a Community Improvement plan.

 

  1. Share some services that are available through Thames Centre that are not offered in Thorndale. What is your plan to ensure that residents from Thorndale have access to the same level of services and programs that are available in Dorchester or other communities of Thames Centre?

Recreation services seem to be different between Thorndale and Dorchester. I am aware that a review of the Recreation Master Plan is planned in the next year or two and with proper community engagement, this plan should assist to identify what services should be prioritized within Thorndale.

 

  1. How do you feel about the transportation options available in Thorndale? Can all of our residents affordably get where they need to go? If not, what will you do to improve transportation? *Please consider walkability as well 

Walkability can continue to be planned when new subdivisions are approved – ie trail systems. Thorndale does have access to the Community Transportation system that is funded by upper levels of government.

 

  1. How do you plan to involve residents in the decision-making process in Thames Centre for Thorndale? 

I believe that we can do better when engaging our residents on important matters. We can look at having Town Hall meetings in Thorndale and we can also look at holding some council meetings in Thorndale. On development matters, I would look at having several meetings with the residents within the community to obtain their concerns and feedback that will help educate council on any changes to any development plans.

 

    12. What is the most significant issue related to Thorndale's development in your opinion? 

What I have heard from many residents is a concern that the new subdivisions/ proposed development will not/does not “fit in” with the existing residential development in the area.

 

  1. If someone came to you with a proposal to build a new piece of public infrastructure in our city (road, bridge, etc.), how would you evaluate whether or not that project was worth implementing?

Again, the municipality’s Asset Management Plan will dictate what assets/infrastructure items will need to be replaced or upgraded based on the condition of the asset.

 

    14. If you received a $1 million grant to use for Thorndale any way you wanted, what would you do with it and why?

I would take a look at the Asset Management Plan to see if any projects listed for Thorndale needed to be upgraded or replaced. I understand that some members of the community would like to see additions or enhancements to the existing community centre and this might be a good place to spend those funding monies.

 

  1. Do you think municipalities have a role to play in mitigating and adapting to climate change? If yes, how does your platform address this? 

I absolutely believe that municipalities have a role. When constructing new building or renovating buildings then we should have a “green” lens. This could mean a net zero building where the energy generated offsets the energy used by the building. The municipality has many vehicles as part of their fleet and consideration should be given to a “Green Fleet Plan” to help reduce carbon emissions. All municipalities are required to have a plan to reduce carbon emissions.

 

    16. What is your stance on the Proposed Elliott Gravel Pit given it is located less than 1km away from an elementary school and subdivision? Will you advocate for additional air quality testing if the pit should become operational?

While I understand that gravel is becoming a scarce resource, I do understand the concerns of the residents in close proximity to the gravel pit. I would advocate for additional air quality and other measures to help deal with dust and noise and ensuring that conditions of the pit licence are being complied with.

 

    18. What are the most significant safety concerns for Thorndale? What do you commit to doing to increase the responsiveness of the OPP to increase enforcement where necessary?

Residents have expressed concerns about speeding on roads and also vandalism/break-ins. The municipality has a Police Services Board and those members should be engaged to see how we can increase the presence of the OPP in our problem areas.

 

    19. How do you plan to invest in recreational opportunities for residents of all ages?

I am looking forward to the Master Recreation process to determine the priorities of recreational programs that we should be investing in. This process will include valuable input from the community and recent trends and best practices in the area.

 

  1. When booking a Thames Centre facility, do you believe that there should be a different fee structure for those who are not from the community/serving the community?

Yes, I believe there is merit in looking at different fee structures for resident and non-residents. Many municipalities do this. I think it’s important that all of our facilities are used extensively so that the revenue helps to offset the costs of operating the facility.

 

  1. Both the county and Thames Center official plans identify 100-acre parcels as the minimum size for farms. What is your position to those who wish to split 100-acre farms into smaller farm parcels? Would you support smaller farm parcels or remain at the current 100-acre size?

I would not support smaller farm parcels.

 

  1. Considering the growth of the community with many new residents working outside of Thorndale, as well as the mandatory certifications for firefighters coming into effect, how is the municipality going to support and sustain the volunteer Fire Department as the community continues to grow?

I believe that the municipality must support our fire personnel and new recruits with the required training and associated costs. We need to ensure that our firefighters feel supported and that they have the tools that they need to properly and safely carry out the duties of their job.

 

Optional Questions:

 

 

  1. With mpac doing the assessment process soon what measures will you take to help lessen the impact those assessments have on the tax rates to avoid residents being taxed out of their homes?

 

 

24. What are the top 3 areas that need to be addressed with respect to parks and recreation in Thames Centre?