Council Candidate Tony Bell (Incumbent)

Q1: Meaford is experiencing dynamic growth. How do you see ratepayers’ involvement in that growth? What role do you see the community playing in establishing the common direction and longer-term priorities?

Dynamic growth is an understatement. The best way for rate payers to engage is to come to council or send in comments to the clerk. The identity of our Municipality and vision is something that has been looked at over many years and every council sets out a list of priorities and even catch phrases, but yet we want to be known for or what we are. This new council in my view should determine just that. We seem to just go with the flow and change with everything that happens around us. I know we can make a statement about this when we all work on it.  

Q2: Would you support the development of an active community-based Advisory Committee for planning and development?

I would support an advisory committee to help council with the first question and again help keep us on track with growth that in the big picture sets the "look" of the town, Also promote the vast economic benefits of rural agriculture that currently is mostly overlooked.

Q3: Currently, Meaford Council has just two Advisory Committees: Heritage and Accessibility. Prior to this current Council, there were seven advisory committees. Given that advisory committees facilitate public input into important matters, would you reinstate other advisory committees? And how would you ensure they are used effectively in the next term of Council?

As to the number of Advisory committees I would like to have the sustainable and parks be brought back and a brand new one "the rural voice".  Care in selection of people who will stay on a board is important as last term we suffer from folks not showing up. To that last point members want the work talked about sent in to council for consideration early.

Q4: What is the role of Council and the Municipality in supporting the development of downtown Meaford? In rural areas? Please provide examples.

Council will continue to support downtown with parking lots, New builds like ELEMENTS on Collingwood Street .Last term a splash pad for young people and family. But the big look at will be our market square, what will it be like.

Q5: What role does Meaford’s “Official Plan” have in guiding development?

Our official plan in my view should be held tighter and not allow amendments that usually end up going to LPAT. A lot of folks had input on our current plan. The next council should look at promoting an industrial park.

Q6: If a development project does not appear to meet Official Plan requirements (like the SkyDev proposal), what should Council do to ensure the project is in the best interest of Meaford and its citizens?

SKYDEV is a prime example of how the system works and yet still allows the developer to end up down in Toronto at LPAT. At time of writing October 13th will be a four day hearing and then we will all know. On meeting with developers I know that our Mayors have all had meetings with those who would like to build here. Our staff are very good and well educated in the planning Department and overall bring things to council in an orderly report. The process is complicated and moves slowly , but I think it works.

Q7: Should Council members or municipal staff meet with developers prior to a development application being submitted? What is your understanding of them role in such meetings? Can you give us an example of what you would do in that position?

On meeting with developers I know that our Mayors have all had meetings with those who would like to build here. Our staff are very good and well educated in the planning Department and overall bring things to council in an orderly report. The process is complicated and moves slowly , but I think it works.

Q8: There are many issues that need to be addressed in the coming four-year term, including the TCE pumped energy project, affordable housing, job creation, the downtown heritage district, business development, climate change, tourism, and a host of infrastructure needs supporting agriculture, bridges, roads, water and sewer and urban green spaces. What, in your opinion, are the most urgent issues to address?

As to my top three issues . #1 rural ditching that gains only 30 or so kilometers per year will take a decade to do, lets get it done. #2 The wastewater treatment plant rebuild .set money aside now. #3 affordable housing and we have started towards doing this.

Q9: The TCE Pumped Storage Proposal will be decided by the federal government. What is your position on the project, and what role do you think the Meaford Council has as the project moves through approvals?

TCE I stay consistent in working with them to make our municipalities needs know. Our work with Strategy Corp has sent to them a well put together document stating exactly just that. At this time getting a full Community agreement is still many years away , but TCE has said many times that everything is on the table but nothing is. Now and for as long as this process is in play they now can see the thing we wish to promote for the whole municipality.

Q10: As a member of Council, how will you work with local and county/regional partners and Meaford's CAO and staff to move the Municipality forward on the issues listed in Q8? Can you provide any examples?

Finally yes I have talked to Grey County Ec Dev officer and have many meetings with our CAO. To me that is to be expected of a councillors work.

WE have looked at traffic increase and housing options and how in the world can a small town be ready overall if this project is approved .

On an ending note, my trip to see the facility in the states answered all my questions and more . Very technical very exacting high paying skilled work force and they are a good corporate citizen and I think  TCE will be too. They are still 4-5 years away getting through all the impact assessments, the toughest the Federal and Provincial governments have in place. Thanks for the outreach and take care all -T.B.