Good evening, Ladies and Gentlemen, Madam Chairman, and Fellow candidates.
Who is Dan Boyd, and why vote for him?
During the late 90’s Carolyn and I were searching for a place to spend our retirement, North Kawartha was the answer to our dreams. We found our little piece of heaven on Chandos Lake in 1999
I’ve had 40 years in the Insurance industry, including 15 years of mediating difficult situations, teaching at Seneca College, and being a Canadian Risk Manager. I feel that my experience will not only assist me, but bring new skills to council. I want to be your Councillor and make sure that your views are fairly represented.
I’d like to tell you how I stand on some of the current issues.
The public must have access to council. Non-confidential information should be made available to the public either via the website or at the office when provided to Councillors.
When the Provincial government created the Kawartha Highland Park they set a budget of $600,000 per year. This has now been slashed to $200,000 which is ludicrous. We have to strongly lobby the government to put up the required money to run this park properly and pay for the expenses incurred as a result of the use of it.
We live or vacation in an area that is growing and developing. New businesses are coming into the area and they need controls put in place that will ensure that they abide by our bylaws.
Garbage pickup works for some of us and not for others. Those of us that have purchased the bear proof bins seem to be having fewer problems. Private road pickups may require some changes when the existing contract comes up for renewal next summer. Additional hours at the transfer sites may have to be implemented.
Facilities have to be provided within the township to handle large garbage items such as sofas, construction and renovation refuse. Council has already requested approval for these facilities from the Ministry of the Environment and Provincial infrastructure money would be available. It will be up to the new council to expedite construction.
Recycling appears to be a problem in a lot of situations. We will have to come up with some new ideas in order to devise solutions that work for the majority of people in North Kawartha. A possibility is more centralized locations to deposit our recycling.
The gymnasium and washrooms of our new public school should be accessible to community groups. I also support having child care facilities incorporated into the design. I believe that there would be federal funds to assist in this. Our township could provide funds on a one-time basis to help build the facilities.
Wireless Internet technology exists that could provide high speed to all of us in North Kawartha. There are many property owners who would be able to spend more time and money here if they had access to this. Modern business depends on the internet and high speed is no longer just a convenience but a necessity.
Fairness in the taxation system is a must. Lakefront owners are paying a disproportionate share of the tax dollars. Council must continue to lobby the Provincial government for changes. As a council member I will attempt to keep our mill rate as low as possible and work out solutions that are not only viable but economical.
Proper management of our bush is a necessity. North Kawartha should consider having a logging bylaw enacted in order to control clear cutting of our forests. By managing our bush properly we will have not only a continuous supply of good quality timber for the logging industry but also maintain a healthy forest that supports abundant wildlife and new growth.
Our shoreline properties also need proper management. We are all concerned about our water quality, shoreline maintenance, and lake condition. Council needs to continue encouraging programs such as the Dock Talk program that took place on Chandos the last two summers. We are helping to educate people about maintaining a healthy environment and improving our water quality.
These are the issues that I have discovered during my canvassing that are important to you, the voter.
I am a skilled and careful listener, selecting the relevant and appropriate information; and making decisions in a compassionate and competent way.
I want to represent you on council, to listen to your concerns regarding our ward. Environmental issues are important to me... let's not destroy what Mother Nature gave us to enjoy. Development in our area needs responsible management to protect our fragile ecological system. We all live or vacation in an area we chose due to the natural beauty that abounds in North Kawartha...
LET'S NOT DESTROY IT.
THANK YOU.