CHAMPLAIN MAYORAL CANDIDATES GET A FINAL WORD
With the municipal elections fast approaching, we have asked three questions to Prescott-Russell mayoral candidates. Questions related to their priorities, the infrastructure, the taxes, as well as their management style. Here are their answers. It is important to note that Champlain mayoral candidate Paul Emile Duval, declined our request.
In your opinion, what are the two biggest challenges facing your municipality? If elected mayor, what measures do you plan to take to address them?
Urbano Fumagalli:
Our two greatest challenges surround the need to become an economic and tourist region united with all our regional partners. The first challenge will be to define together which sports or tourist attractions we can initiate to reposition ourselves on the map.
The second challenge will be to identify what municipal resources could we share to achieve economies of scale in order to save money for our taxpayers.
Champlain’s number one challenge is to provide more support for our businesses already located in Champlain. I would like to see our councillors and Champlain employees work more actively with our
Helen MacLeod:
existing farm operations, businesses, store fronts, and tourism sites, in assisting them to reach their full potential.
Champlain’s second challenge is the FOWJSPONFOU 8F XJMM XPSL XJUI QSPQFSUZ owners and interested parties to come to a reasonable solution to preserve woodlands, forests, and wetlands and to stop indiscrimiOBUF USFF DMFBSJOH BOE EFGPSFTUBUJPO 8F XJMM promote incentives to plant trees and make landowners aware that there are tax breaks for owners of woodlots and wetlands, and we will improve recycling and reducing waste.
One of the two challenges facing the municipality is infrastructure. Our fire departments and recreational parks are in need of investment. The second major challenge is the proposal (on appeal) to change a rural sector to a heavy industrial
Normand Riopel:
zone. The possible establishment of heavy industry in a rural, residential, recreational, and agricultural environment would have negative consequences for the future development of our residential and agricultural areas, and our recreational and tourism developments. As mayor, the measures I would take would be to establish municipal bylaws to implement a system to protect our infrastructure in the long term.
Avoid raising property taxes for taxpayers while improving infrastructure are recurring themes in any election campaign. Your thoughts on this?
Urbano Fumagalli:
&NQIBTJT NVTU CF placed on economic development to encourage the arrival of new businesses and families and thereby generate new income. &WFSZ EBZ TFWFSBM UIPVTBOE DBST DSPTT UIF Township of Champlain, but what is being done to attract these people to our region? One of our first initiatives will be to revitalize UIF - 0SJHOBM 1BSL 8F XJMM FTUBCMJTI B TIPSU and medium- term plan to rebuild the park with the help of developers, with the goal of generating new revenues and becoming an important tourist attraction in our region.
The best possible way is to again fully support the growth of our present business community and also by encouraging environmentally friendly businesses to invest in Champlain and join our prosperous community (business taxes will automatically grow as they grow!) This in turn would encourage people to reside in Champlain and again grow our tax base so that we can minimize tax increases.
If elected mayor, I will continue to counter tax increases with the
Helen MacLeod: Normand Riopel:
proper management of the Municipality’s revenues and grants. It will be important to continue to solicit Queen’s Park for additional funding for some of our infrastructure sectors, such as our parks and municipal buildings. I would also invite the participation of local and regional companies that would like to align themselves with our visions and share our successes with some of their pro-bono expertise.
If you are elected mayor, you will be the leader of the City Council. How do you plan to work in harmony with other colleagues on City Council who may not necessarily share your views?
Urbano Fumagalli:
People who present themselves as advisors do so mainly because they care about the Township of Champlain. So, as mayor, if I guide our actions towards initiatives that value the township, it will be easy to work together. It is important as mayor to listen to my councillors and to ensure that their initiatives are highlighted and that their ideas are part of our strategic plan to grow our population and stimulate our economy.
As a councilor for 30 years, you can be confident that I have the skills to chair meetings and achieve goals. Volunteering for many years on provincial boards as a director and president, and community groups have also all helped me successfully work with a diverse group of people by listening to others, taking their thoughts under consideration, and formulating resolutions. Over the years, I have learned that respect for other points of view and encouraging fellow council members to voice their opinions can resolve issues without arguments and personal disagreements.
The opinion of one does not necessarily constitute the good of a community. I am confident that the people elected by the citizens will be the ones who bring their diverse knowledge to the table. It will be my duty to guide each and every one of its councilors to ensure that all decisions taken are properly evaluated and reflected. Sharing information with people in a position to make important decisions will be my task to ensure the process is harmonious.
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Helen MacLeod: Normand Riopel: