Caslin: ‘We must be bold’
Chairman’s state of the Region address highlights achievements of council with fall election looming
Like an entertainer — or someone running for office — Regional Chair Alan Caslin dashed through the crowd to the sound of blaring rock music, stopping now and then to shake hands and greet well-wishers on his way to the stage to deliver his state of the Region address for 2018.
He took the opportunity Wednesday to highlight the successes regional council has had this term.
“We have kept taxes low, introduced accountability and transparency measures, kick-started Niagara’s economy and invested in the community supports we all rely on,” he told the audience of about 500 people at Scotiabank Convention Centre in Niagara Falls.
“We have done away with the status quo of complacency and an approach that relied on simply going along to get along.
“This term of council has laid the foundations for Niagara to finally find its stride.”
Caslin said it is now time for Niagara to build on those foundations and forge the next phase of Niagara’s path.
“We must be bold,” he said. “We must focus on the residents. It is our time to come together from every corner of Niagara for Niagara.”
The looming municipal election this fall will be the first time Niagara voters will directly elect their regional chair. Since, the formation of the Region in 1970, regional councillors have voted amongst themselves
to choose a chair.
The field appears wide open. No one has declared their candidacy, yet.
Caslin used the state of the Region address to announce the launch of what he called the “largest strategic consultation effort in Niagara’s history.” He said the Shape Niagara campaign will provide regional staff with the opportunity to develop a background study that will act as a foundation for Niagara’s next strategic plan.
“We will enable the next term of regional council to hit the ground running and maintain the built-up momentum of this term,” he said.
A news release said the process will include five open houses throughout Niagara in May and June, a chance to offer feedback on the internet and the opportunity to comment on social media using the hashtag #ShapeNiagara.
Wednesday’s festivities started with a roundtable discussion, moderated by Niagara Workforce Planning Board CEO Mario De Divitiis, which included Caslin, Hamilton Mayor Fred Eisenberger and Waterloo Regional Chairman Ken Seiling.
In his speech, Caslin returned a number of times to a theme he said he used as a manager at General Motors Canada: Hands on the Wheel, Eyes on the Road. He said the concept guides his efforts as regional chair.
“Too often governments and elected officials get caught up in only managing headlines, wading through mid-level priorities and accepting status quo,” he said.
“No longer would we accept mediocrity as the best we could do. Nor would we go along to get along at the expense of delivering real and tangible results for the residents of Niagara.”
He said regional council kickstarted Niagara’s economic engine by aggressively pursuing new business and supporting those in Niagara looking to stay and expand.
It also focused on keeping taxes low and efficiently spent, holding the property tax increase to 1.47 per cent over this term.
“This comprehensive approach will allow the Niagara Region to outshine the competition, rise above local politics, media headlines and deliver what residents want — and that is jobs and economic prosperity.”