Editor's note: MidlandToday has asked council candidates in Midland, Penetanguishene and Tiny Township to provide a synopsis of why they are running for public office. Municipal elections take place Oct. 24.
The following response is from incumbent George Vadeboncoeur, who is running for council in Penetanguishene. For more election coverage, visit our 2022 municipal election page by clicking here, where you can find candidate profiles and other election news.
What is your name, what will be your age on election day, and who are your key immediate family members you rely on for support?
My name is George Vadeboncoeur and I will be 63 on election day. My key immediate family members are my wife Catherine, son William and daughter-in-law Jamie and son Eric.
In 10 words or less, why is your municipality the best in the province?
It offers everything a person would need on Georgian Bay.
What prompted you to run as a municipal leader?
I believe in community service - I was on the hospital board for 9 years, 2 years as chair; I’ve been a Rotarian for 25 years; President of the Midland Basketball Association (formally PMBA) for 20 years. I’ve been a Chief Administrative Officer for 27 years and know how municipalities work. Being elected to Council was the next step in serving the community.
How much time and money should be allocated to upgrading the town dock? What is your stance on the town dock project?
I think we owe the Town dock a thorough review to determine how best it, launch ramp and parking lots can operate in the future. Any monies the Town allocates to the upgrades to the Town dock should be matched by senior levels of government. It is hard to determine how much money should be allocated. We need to do further studies to determine what is under the asphalt parking lot and what remedial work may be required just to fix the parking lot.
The beloved arena and curling rink are at the end of life, and in various states of disrepair. Is it worth more to pour into their upkeep or invest in a new facility? What is your stance on the facilities?
I think we need to invest to keep the facilities operational for another 10 years. In the interim we need to develop and implement a financial plan that town can use to plan for the replacement of these facilities. The feasibility study is done. Now it is time to create the financial plan that residents of Penetanguishene can afford, implemented over several years leading to the construction of the new facility.
You will be asked to join committees and other municipal representations. Which are you eager to become involved in?
I’ve enjoyed the Library Board for the last four years. I could easily continue there. Another area of interest would be the Severn Sound Environment Association.
Voter apathy is always a concern, ranging between 25.7% to 42% of cast ballots across North Simcoe in the last municipal election. Knowing you could be elected without even half of possible voters turning out, what will you do to combat voter apathy so your municipality is best represented?
Every chance I get, I encourage people to vote. It is so easy to do it on-line.
There are many prominent concerns ongoing in the region, from affordable housing to the opioid epidemic to short-term rentals as well as others. What is one concern that you think the majority of residents are not aware of?
I would say the impacts of climate change. We see it all around us, but it is difficult to make the connection between how we live and the impacts on climate.
The province is planning for a county-wide population of 555,000 and 198,000 jobs by 2051. If now is the time to prepare for that influx, what will you proactively do as your part in the process?
Penetanguishene can only grow so much based on the County of Simcoe growth projections. I would support developments with higher density forms of housing such as town houses, duplexes and apartments to offer a variety of housing types in the community.
Recidivism isn’t just on the police and courts. As a municipal leader and crafter of bylaws, what initiatives will you undertake to address crime in your care?
The OPP do a great job with their crime prevention programs. I would encourage more focus on youth outreach through programs in the schools and on the street, where youth hang out. We also need to look at maintaining minimum income levels so as to reduce the temptations to commit crimes because of poverty.
Infrastructure projects require taxpayer dollars. What infrastructure project does the municipality desperately need, and does it justify a tax increase from the ratepayers to have it done as soon as possible?
The Town of Penetanguishene just finished two major infrastructure projects – waste water treatment plant upgrades and the reconstruction of Main Street. We are paying the debt on these two projects. We are now focusing on needed road and sidewalk repairs. I think that needs to be the focus for the next while as it will build financial capacity to take on the Town Dock upgrades and eventually the new recreation centre.
Times change. What is the most aged or obsolete bylaw in your municipality’s code?
By-law 2011-54 as amended - Clean Yards By-law. It needs to be updated to bring it up to current standards in terms of requirements and fines for non-compliance.
Once you complete your four-year term, what is the legacy you want residents to best remember for your time in office?
It will not be my legacy, it will be the legacy of the Council and staff that worked during that term of Council. An important legacy would be that we made wise decisions for the betterment of the community.
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Municipal election information for Penetanguishene is available on the elections page of the town website.
For Penetanguishene residents:
Visit voterlookup.ca, call 705-549-7453, or visit Townhall to be sure you are on the Voters List and that your information is correct. You will not receive a voter letter if your name does not appear on the voter list. In addition, any changes to your household (children who have moved away, tenants who have moved in or out, etc.) should be updated through voterlookup.ca which is maintained by MPAC.
Voter Letters which will include your voter ID and PIN are being sent by mail to homes during the last week of September to arrive to Voters on the list the first week of October. If you don't get a letter, call, visit or email Townhall to get one. You may need to attend in person to show ID.
Voting by phone or internet opens on Tuesday October 11, 2022 at 10:00 am and goes until Monday October 24, 2022 at 8:00 p.m. The voting website and phone number will be provided on the voter information letter.
