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?