Tag: democratic process

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

Respect Parks and Recreation

• 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?