The videos of the three candidates’ meetings that were posted have been taken down by the uploader. My sincerest thank you to the sponsors and volunteer organizers for the meetings and the posting.
Tag: democratic process
Change
Am I the change you want? I want to:
Improve the Democratic Process in Mississippi Mills:
- more public input into council and committee meetings
- elections, not appointments, to be used for Council vacancies
- see that residents’ fundamental freedoms and democratic rights under the Bill of Rights 1960 and Charter of Rights and Freedoms 1981 are supported
- improve accountability through recording of all public and closed meetings (including committee meetings) as recommended by the provincial Ombudsman
- amend municipal bylaws and policies to be consistent with public rights and freedoms under provincial and federal acts; remove any provisions that attempt to suppress them
- implement a redress mechanism used by other municipalities that empowers citizens between elections
Improve the Service Experience in Mississippi Mills:
- codes of conduct that deal with service to the public by Council and employees and a user-friendly recourse process
- institute a hierarchy of response by elected representatives so that queries no longer fall through the cracks
- promote problem-solving, time management, quality control, accessibility services and resolving issues to staff and train if necessary
Improve Roads and Public Works
- seek input from residents on the future of sidewalks and roads
- seek a heavy vehicle and dangerous good transport route through consultation with the public, commercial users, the province and federal government
- pay attention to public needs, such as placing municipal trash receptacles in areas where people need them, not just downtown
Deal with Conflicts of Interest:
- require annual declarations by council, public board and committee members, and employees of their pecuniary interests and those of their family/conjugal relationships that may cause actual or perceived conflict
- corrective actions for violations
- support the new Integrity Commissioner and seek her/his suggestions
Improve Communication and Critical Information
- ensure public access to recordings of Council and Committee sessions (except those closed under exceptions in the Municipal Act, which will be recorded for the purpose of potential investigation)
- improve web services
- meet with residents regularly
- digitize and organize by-laws, policies and financial reports
- allow public message access to non-profit community organizations
Improve the Business Environment
- seek advice and vision from all businesses in Almonte and consult with our neighbours in Ramsay and Pakenham: what works? What doesn’t?
- If expanding the settlement areas, where does business fit in? Is there a better place for more industrial-type use (instead of over the groundwater protection area)?
Improve the Fairness and Management of Heritage Buildings
- allow opt-outs
- establish priorities through municipality-wide consultation on support from public funds (such as community-owned, service organizations, commercial, residential)
- encourage arms-length management and distribution of any financial heritage support and resources chiefly through owners, with municipal support as available and needed
- no parks will be sold for residential or commercial development without public support
- make park access, maintenance and development equitable
- establish consistent and reliable information for residents on scheduled events and servicing
Utilize Volunteers
- recognize and train volunteers who help the community by providing services and sitting on boards
- seek advice from volunteer groups, including firefighters
- Mentor young people in civic government through volunteering and shadowing
Enhance a Variety of Tourism
Tourism investment and support of festivals and the arts will be available and equitable to all in Almonte and Mississippi Mills.
Give You a Voice in Planning
- As recommended by the Planning Department, over the next two years, look at expanding the settlement boundaries of Almonte.
- Collect input from residents on what changes to the Community Official Plan they envision, and what requires clarity and certainty for their own future planning.
- Discuss youth projections and needs with schools, parents and planners
- Consider moving commercial and industrial business away from the groundwater protection area.
- Explore transportation to Ottawa with neighbouring communities
- Consult more formally with residents on senior services needed in future
Other
A community conversation needs to happen around drug hazards, addictions, policing and the effects of marijuana legalization in Mississippi Mills: what do we want from provincial services?