Q & A - Councillor candidate - Peter Courtney
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
If the mayor waives Strong Mayors power and signs a by-law to do so, then all of the voices on council can be heard, and everyone on council would be able to openly deliberate the budget/service delivery as has been done in the past, for all of you to see.
If elected I would ask the Mayor to implement a ZERO BASED BUDGET strategy. This would require extensive review by staff to look at each line item independently, review it and make sure what is being asked for is needed and up to date. This might need to be implemented one or two departments each year, but the process should start immediately.
Service delivery cuts, should be and would be a last resort! We (council) need to look at finding efficiencies from our organizational chart and maximize use of our existing staff, in continuing to provide service delivery levels that our residents deserve! As well, manager/supervisor-to-worker ratio needs to be looked at closely, in my opinion.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
Responsible growth is a balance of industrial (Howard Industrial Park), commercial and residential, with proper mapping and locations, so there is a buffer between each.
I would push for creating a new commercialized area, so residents can do day-to-day shopping/appointments without bumper-to-bumper tourist traffic on Sandwich. This would protect tourism that has evolved downtown and offer easier access to the needs of our residents (banking, grocery stores, etc.).
This commercialized area would create more tax relief. Commercialization has begun on Alma St. already (Castle/Amherst Supply). The new council needs to figure a location out and market it!
The SEQ has been approved for infrastructure for over 1,000 new homes, but we don’t want to just be a “bedroom community.”
Most importantly, industrial needs to be heavily marketed for our location and great dollar value compared to the U.S. We need to push InvestWE, staff and our MPP’s and MP’s to sell our amazing Howard Industrial Park and former Honeywell properties. We are an international border town with access to bridges, highways, water and rail! The Gordie Howe Bridge has just highlighted this area for that!
Our town is growing, and this is a good thing. We need to protect our small downtown charm and plan accordingly for our future.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
Our current council has done a great job in starting this. I am proud to have been a part of this as a current council member, on your behalf.
Our Heritage Conservation District (HCD), after many years of talk, has become a reality and has been implemented. The boundaries of this district and everyone buying a home in this district are fully aware of what that means. There will be no more “demolishing by neglect”, homeowners will be compensated for costs associated with exterior home renovations, and the look and feel of Historical Amherstburg will live on for a long time!
Council also did a good job with the Valente Development (former GAHS) that will be the significant fixture for our downtown, the Heritage Easement agreement struck between the Town and Valente Group, found the balance of growth and historical protection, and all parties were able to agree!
This to me is what collaboration and communication is all about. And it will be much needed for OUR new council, moving forward.
(4) What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time and how would you advocate for it?
If elected, I would make sure all of the costs and service delivery models are presented to the residents. This communication and inclusion is paramount, especially after the massive “dropped ball” from a few members of the 2014-18 council, and town council went against a very strong resident opinion to stay with our hometown policing.
My personal opinion is that OPP is the only realistic, affordable way forward. The devil is in the details, so the service delivery model when presented, must be looked at closely. As well, our Mayor and CAO need to bring back a report on feedback of OPP policing from our county neighbours including the CAO’s and Mayors that are using this service.
The residents need to be included for their feedback, and the decision of council needs to be respected by all the residents. Whatever happens, there will be camps of support for all the different options. Change is scary, just like it was when Windsor police took over, but we will survive with whatever the outcome is for policing, post 2028.
(5) What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends (if at. all)?
I would only be interested in changing the frequency. I won’t call it an event, because an event is on a day/weekend, not every summer weekend.
There are four stakeholders - business owners within and just outside the footprint, the Town, residents, tourists. My focus is listening to business owners. They’re the ones with “skin” in the game. It’s their livelihood.
Business owners, when picking a location, probably weigh in things like parking, accessibility, amenities nearby, etc.
Closing streets can be devastating based on what your business is.
I love a diverse downtown. Most businesses need to access roads for their customers.
I love a diverse downtown. I want EVERY business to be successful, and my job as a councillor is not to create a business model and impact the success or failure of the private sector. A BIA should do this.
Information I’ve received from business owners is one weekend a month, linked with one of our Town’s great festivals. That might be the compromise we need.
We have amazing parks and a new waterfront festival plaza. We need to steer entertainment there! Most importantly, council needs to continue to tweak Open Air. Open Air DOES cost residents money including staffing/overtime, and entertainment not covered by grants.
6) What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
If elected, I would continue to represent YOU THE RESIDENTS and OUR amazing town the way I always have.
My goals have never changed, which has included:
-listen to your residents
-be a team player
-use common sense
-think with an open mind
-budget like I do in my personal life
-grow our town, but protect its small town charm
-find efficiencies within our Corp.
-ask the tough questions
-be as transparent as legally and legislatively possible
-keep the whole community in mind when making any decisions
-market our town for future commercial and industrial growth
-look at the real or perceived consequences or reactions to any actions
Q & A - Councillor candidate - Peter Courtney
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