Q & A - Deputy Mayoral Candidate - Bill Petruniak
(1) How would you advocate for affordable taxes while maintaining an adequate level of service for residents?
It would be great to believe that Amherstburg property taxes might decrease. Unfortunately, I don’t think that’s possible. What I hope to do is hold the line on tax increases in the coming years.
To do that council must take a hard look at surplus properties and sell as many as we can.
Council must also take a surgical look at how the town spends money, hires staff and builds our yearly budget. I have lived in Amherstburg for 31 years and to my recollection the administration has never done a zero based budget to reign in costs.
It is definitely time to tighten our collective belts because the world economy is not going to get better any time soon.
(2) What does “responsible growth” mean to you and how does growth in the commercial/industrial sectors factor into that?
Responsible growth is not just about expanding the population; it is about creating a self-sufficient community where industrial and commercial growth provide a solid economic foundation that can support the quality of life desired by the residents of Amherstburg.
In addition this growth must blend the historic character of our town with functionality for the future.
(3) How would you balance protecting heritage attributes of Amherstburg against the growth of the town?
The 220 years of history that is the core fabric of Amherstburg must be preserved. New structures the world over have been designed to mirror the character of years gone by while housing modern conveniences and essentials.
This can and should be done in Amherstburg and not just in the downtown core. There is no reason that new construction cannot be designed to appear like period buildings.
I believe this should be a goal for development in Amherstburg moving forward.
(4) What police service is best for Amherstburg at this time and how would you advocate for it?
Everyone is waxing nostalgic about the local police force Amherstburg used to have. Unfortunately, it is not a realistic goal due to the practicality and financial realities of building a new force. Unless a solid, affordable proposal from Windsor police magically appears very soon I see no option besides the OPP. The OPP has proven effective in most of the other municipalities in Essex County so I see no reason to think it would not be effective in Amherstburg. That said, any informed decision must wait until all of the options are on the table and until the residents of our town can offer their opinions.
(5) What is the best way to present Open Air Weekends (if at all)?
The original ideas behind Open Air have merit but until the costs are accurately documented it is impossible to make a decision on what form this concept should have in the future. Personally I do not believe it needs to close off Dalhousie and Richmond streets to be successful. It is called Open Air, not closed streets. Whatever form this summer concept morphs into in the future must at the very least not have any negative impact on any of the businesses in the downtown core.
(6) What goals do you have to move the town forward over the next four years?
My first priority will be to restore resident communication at council meetings; Procedural By-law 2023-085 must be amended to allow residents to ask questions and speak with just a simple majority consent of council. The next task will be to get our financial house in order with timely, accurate reports to council. All documents concerning the new firehall must be presented to council immediately so that this project can be brought under control and completed. The 2027 Budget will require a complete rethink. I suggest a zero based budget approach. These objectives are for the first three months. After the council sorts out all of this we can chart a course for the rest of 2027 and beyond. This is a line in the sand. I call it a starting line. How the administration reacts and complies will determine the next moves of the council. Change is needed, change is desired by taxpayers, and who gets elected will determine if our new council has the mandate to make the necessary changes over the next council term.
Q & A - Deputy Mayoral Candidate - Bill Petruniak
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