Top row, from left, Deputy Mayor candidates Diane Huber and Don Matheson. Second row, from left, Vice-Deputy Mayor candidates Taun Frosst, Mike Myatt, Jim Stark. Third row, from left, Port Elgin Ward candidates Mini Jacques, Kristan Shrider, Jami Smith (missing: Paul Seaman). Fourth row, from left, Saugeen Ward candidates Matt Carr, Mary Foley, Patrick Jilesen, Dave Myette. Bottom row, from left, Southampton Ward candidates Cheryl Grace, Stanley Kollontay, John Rich.
Editor's Note: In the interest of comprehensive and informative reporting, we have decided to publish our coverage of the All Candidates Meeting in four parts. Here are the closing statements from ward and at-large candidates. Links to the opening statements and question and answer portion are at the bottom.
Please also visit saugeenshoreshub.ca/election2018 for council and trustee candidate profiles and podcasts and the soon to be published Ask a Candidate feature.
Hub Staff
Municipal candidates shared their vision for Saugeen Shores to a packed house September 25 as they attended an All Candidates Meeting hosted by the Saugeen Shores Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Federation of University Women (CFUW) with all but one in attendance. Here are the candidates' closing statements.
SOUTHAMPTON WARD CANDIDATES (two elected)
John Rich
"Saugeen Shores is a wonderful place to live," began Southampton Ward candidate John Rich, adding that Southampton is unique and has its own identity and ambiance.
"It has a robust permanent population and involved group of summer residents," he continued. "I want to work hard to preserve our culture and heritage while at the same time be able to catch that common growth that comes our way. I think we can do both," he said.
Rich said he loves campaigning and elections. "It's great to have the opportunity to speak to people about the things that matter to them right on their doorstep," he said.
"It's been a pleasure to learn from the people of our community and try and tap into their expertise as we try to meet the needs of our kids, working families and retirees; as we try to address the concerns of our residents and find common ground with our neighbours; as we try to come up with solutions through community consultation and thoughtful design that might work for everyone; as we try to find solutions for housing, recreation and employment; as we try to continue to build the community we want to live in," said Rich.
Stanley Kollontay
At-large and ward candidates expressed their thanks to organizers, attendees and fellow candidates in their opening and closing statements. Southampton Ward candidate Stanley Kollontay was no exception.
"I just want to thank everyone for taking the time to attend this evening and hear all that was said about the future of this great community that we live in," he said.
Cheryl Grace
"Because of the growth we've experienced in the last 12 years, Saugeen Shores is at a crossroads," began Cheryl Grace, Southampton Ward candidate.
"Your new council will have these tasks ahead of them," she said. "Balancing new development with keeping what we love most of our town; our green spaces, waterfront and agricultural land; the charm and character of our neighbourhoods and streets and our distinctive local businesses," she said.
"Keeping our infrastructure and basic services up to date; our roads, water, sewers, health care, waste management and protective services by police and fire; investing in and planning for amenities that support the highest quality of life; adequate and diverse housing, schools, parks and trails, recreation facilities, libraries and community centres; beautiful downtowns and waterfronts and accessible facilities," she continued.
Grace said it is time for a community wide conversation about how to ensure Saugeen Shores grows in ways that are environmentally and economically sustainable as the Town continues to provide a quality of life for existing and future citizens.
During her last term on council Grace said she served on the following committees: Accessibility, Chamber of Commerce, Adjustment and Planning, Economic Development, Waterfront, Saugeen Mobility and Regional Transit, Rail Trail and Southampton Town Hall Library.
"I prepared early for meetings and attend faithfully. I respond to resident emails and phone calls, meet with residents, meet with staff to advocate on behalf of residents and work with my fellow council members to create solutions to the challenges facing our municipality," said Grace.
SAUGEEN WARD CANDIDATES (two elected)
Dave Myette
"I think we're coming on 20 years as a Municipality of Saugeen Shores and I believe that it's time that we move away from our partisan ways," said Saugeen Ward candidate Dave Myette.
"I belong to Southampton Rotary, I'm a member of the Port Elgin Legion, I live in Saugeen Township but I consider myself a citizen of the entire municipality and going forward I would even support a review of our electoral system," he said, adding that "with all due respect to a couple of the candidates here, I don't think we really need a Vice-Deputy Mayor."
Myette listed a few beliefs including nuclear energy, the Deep Geological Repository, maintaining facilities if it can be done in a responsible way and maintaining beaches. "I will move forward and drive home the point to try and get ourselves a beach groomer of our own so that we can maintain our beaches in the way they need to be maintained," said Myette.
In closing, Myette said, "I believe in everybody that lives here and I believe in the Toronto Maple Leafs."
Patrick Jilesen
"We have a lot of people on our council," began Patrick Jilesen, Saugeen Ward candidate, adding that in order to make good decisions and proper consultations with tax payers, "we need to have a balance and what I would bring to the table is a rural lens, an agricultural lens perhaps, to decisions that are going to be made on your behalf by council," he said.
Jilesen reiterated his three principles that carry his vision for the future: community growth, community well being and responsible spending.
"Responsible spending or fiscal responsibility has to do with what is ultimately our one responsibility as a councillor is to look after the money that we bring in as a group," explained Jilesen and added that he has been very involved in athletics. "I think it's very important for us to have a facility in this community that not only helps to nurture the strength of the community but also helps to attract more people to the community," said Jilesen.
"Together I think we can build that recreation facility by partnering with groups that have expertise and proven experience in the recreation and community engagement and I truly believe that we can maintain some of the successes that we already have here in this community such as the life saving program. Everyone deserves an opportunity to maintain their own health and well being at an affordable facility right here in Saugeen Shores," he said.
Mary Foley
Mary Foley, Saugeen Ward candidate, started her closing statement with a question. "How do we bring together rural and urban?" she asked.
"You have beautiful rural landscapes here and I get it, I live in Saugeen Ward, and if it wasn't for those farmers parting with their land, as hard as it may be after all their work and the beautiful trees that surround us, we would be living in the woodlands right here in Saugeen Ward," said Foley. "Not only in the subdivision I'm in but encompassing all of that Saugeen Township right down to Burgoyne," she added.
"There is development, it's happening, we need those tax payers, we need retirees," said Foley. "There's 84 homes in the woodlands, we're taxpayers, we're big taxpayers and in all honesty we're giving back like you are and so I think we need to look at the housing," she said.
"It's a huge item, bringing in affordable housing," said Foley.
"I think with a master housing plan at the federal level that was brought in in November 2017 that's the strategy for Saugeen Shores, not only for the next decade but if you look closely at what they're implementing to every province in Canada we need to get our application in now," she said. "So I'm here to help. Reach out, approach me, read the plan and say we need that affordable housing," Foley said.
Matt Carr
Saugeen Ward candidate Matt Carr was next to the mic. "If I'm elected to represent the Saugeen Ward I am not only 100 percent behind our local businesses that have been here to support us the whole time, not just the influx of businesses that are coming in, I'm all for supporting who's here and keeping our existing local economy going, keeping our business in town," he said. "That being said I'd like to look at our financial responsibility and make sure that we have an open agenda with everything so everybody has input into the way we're going to spend this money," he said.
"If we do decide to take on more debt down the road we've got to make sure that it's all the citizens of all three wards that are in favour of spending that kind of money over the next 10, 20 years," said Carr, who added that in addition to recreation, the waterfronts are a big priority.
"I'm a firm believer that our waterfronts are a huge driver of our tourism industry here which I thankfully definitely benefit from being self employed in this town," he said.
PORT ELGIN WARD CANDIDATES (two elected)
Jami Smith
"I love this town," began Port Elgin Ward candidate Jami Smith. "Like many of you I am raising a young family in a community that is bursting. This is an exciting time to be part of the community of Saugeen Shores and I am continually encouraged by the engagement and participation of our community members during this electoral process," she said.
"In preparation for tonight's event I watched the 2014 candidates debate on Youtube and I'm disheartened to say that we're here today talking about a number of the same issues that we were then," said Smith. "Some of my political philosophies are simply pragmatic and acknowledge that with any decision there will likely be a portion of the population who disagrees," she said, adding that the job of councillors will be to mitigate expectations and provide honest and transparent justification for decisions being made.
"But we simply cannot stop progress because of it," said Smith, remarking on the importance of accessible information, "be it open forums at our council meetings, our website, our associated social media accounts, our Shore Report podcasts and online telecasting of our council meetings, all of which endeavour to encourage more participation from our citizens," she said.
Smith said voters have a difficult choice ahead with so many capable candidates and left attendees with one of her favourite quotes from Simon Sinek. "Leadership is not about the next election, it's about the next generation," quoted Smith.
"We must elect a government that will take action on issues of importance for the future of our community and future generations who choose to reside here," she said.
Kristan Shrider
Port Elgin Ward candidate Kristan Shrider said she feels her education, experience and knowledge in her career allows her to be the preferred choice for the Port Elgin Ward.
"My approach to large scale decision and processes we tackle will be an added value to the council table and also a tremendous resource for staff," she said. "We have a lot of big decisions, critical decisions. Let me and my experience provide some leadership for this community in the next four years," said Shrider.
Dianne Mini Jacques
"Change cannot happen without participation and a voice from all residents," began Dianne Mini Jacques, candidate for the Port Elgin Ward in her closing statement. "I want to be your voice and speak for you. As your representative I'll listen to you respectfully and communicate with others on your behalf respectfully for the benefit for all parties involved," she said.
I want to help you as a resident, a business. I want to create the type of community and town that you want," said Jacques adding that a town doesn't just happen, it happens with collaboration and communication.
Jacques mentioned affordability as being one of her platforms as well as a key concern with new builds, including the recreation centre, something of which she is in favour. "Affordability for housing that is for all ages and all incomes as well as transitional homes, home situations for the seniors of this area," she said adding that many seniors who want to sell their homes can't find anything that is market value.
"I'd like to have a housing needs study done and a housing plan done that we can show the government," said Jacques.
"We've applied 12 times for [grants, including for] affordable housing and been turned down. I think we need the facts and figures to be able to show the government and also show the developers that there's a need for affordable housing," she said.
Jacques then said that in addition to affordability and communication, she wants to make sure that residents are heard. If people have a question or need an answer, "I want to be your voice," she said.
"I've worked in Port Elgin, I've worked in Southampton, I've worked in Saugeen Shores. I think you'll know in the past 30 years that I've been here I have volunteered strongly for all ages and all incomes so I'm hoping that you will take that into account," added Jacques.
Port Elgin Ward candidate Paul Seaman was not in attendance.
VICE-DEPUTY MAYOR CANDIDATES (one elected)
Jim Stark
Vice-Deputy Mayor candidate Jim Stark started by saying that people in Saugeen Shores are so blessed with wonderful parks, trails and beaches "whether you walk, bike, run, ski, snowshoe in the winter," he said.
"We should market our area as a year round, four season destination helping with the tourism that's so important to our businesses," Stark said. "We have so much to offer so keeping what we have safe and clean and accessible is so important," he added.
Stark said a good plan is needed to address housing for all economic levels and remarked that there is a conversation in the community about a new rec centre. Stark queried why planning and fundraising hadn't started yet if a new rec centre is something wanted by the mass majority. He reminded those in attendance of the Coliseum in Southampton and the Plex in Port Elgin and how much fun the community had "coming together, working, planning and fundraising to build these beautiful facilities."
Stark continued. "I believe we have the ability to fully fund a new rec centre here in Saugeen Shores without affecting our already rising property taxes. All of our facilities should never turn away anyone of our youth because of cost," he said, adding that "our youth are our number one asset."
Stark said he was committed, without question or exception, to strong fiscal responsibility. "I will listen to your concerns. I will listen to your ideas. I would like to be part of council working for your vision," he said.
Mike Myatt
Vice-Deputy Mayor candidate Mike Myatt said Saugeen Shores is the fastest growing community in Bruce County. "We live in a town that is the envy of many communities but let us not rest on our laurels," he said.
"It is important that we continue to promote our community as a vibrant, welcoming and active community," he continued, adding "we can only do this if we are able to find the funds required to re-ivest in several important projects," Myatt said.
"Our 45 year old pool needs to be replaced. We need to lobby for additional long term care beds. We need to find solutions that will address affordable housing and we need to repair, replace our aging bridges," he said, adding, "I believe that we need a council that is able to determine the difference between needs and wants."
Myatt continued. "You deserve to elect a council that is proactive and creative and equipped to address our growing infrastructure needs. I believe we need a council that demonstrates solid fiscal management skills. You deserve a Vice-Deputy Mayor who has the skills to listen to your concerns and a Vice-Deputy Mayor that is prepared to be a strong voice for all three wards," he said.
"I feel I have these skills. I also believe that my last four years as your Saugeen Township Councillor and my previous 36 years in municipal government has prepared me for the Vice-Deputy Mayor position," said Myatt.
Taun Frosst
"Everybody here, we hear lots of we should do this and we need that," began Vice-Deputy Mayor candidate Taun Frosst. "What we need is ideas to get the job done. The ideas are to save some money, be fiscally responsible, obviously, but we have to save money to have the surpluses there," he said.
"As I mentioned with the 21 Highway bridge there's a surplus that's put away for that every year that has to be tucked away in case anything happens to it," he continued.
"If that piece goes back to the province that's money that's freed up for a pool, for ball diamonds, for whatever recreation we want to put into this town," he said, adding that if Saugeen Shores has a program for equipment, "it's big money for everything we get," he said, listing half a million for a loader, quarter of a million for sidewalk cleaners.
"It's a lot of money," he said. "We can save though there, it's easy to do, we have money coming back," Frosst added.
DEPUTY MAYOR CANDIDATES (one elected)
Don Matheson
"An active, engaged community is a strong community and Saugeen Shores is a very strong community," began Deputy Mayor candidate Don Matheson. "The big question you must ask yourself is why vote for me," he added.
"Why vote for Don Matheson as your Deputy Mayor," he said, adding that his love of Saugeen Shores is unquestionable. "I want to see businesses flourish, people be active and our town thrive," said Matheson.
"On election day you'll cast your votes and elect a new council that will guide the community for the next four years. The people who are chosen must be approachable, dedicated, knowledgeable and have a vision for the future community," he said. "They must be able to work as part of a team, they must be able to make the hard decisions," he said, adding that he is that person.
"I have a vision of what Saugeen Shores will become. I have made the hard decisions even though they may not have been popular, they were the right decisions," said Matheson. "I'm here to represent all of Saugeen Shores. As your Deputy Mayor I will bring your concerns to council and have them heard and I'll keep you, the public, informed of what is happening in council and around town," he said.
"I'm very approachable and open. You know who I am and you know what I do. As your Deputy Mayor let me be the voice that represents Saugeen Shores in council and the one who will help make Saugeen Shores a better place over the next four years and beyond," said Matheson.
Diane Huber
"The place you live either full time or part time should be your happy place," said Deputy Mayor candidate Diane Huber. "After being on council for the past three terms I understand what the role of a member of council is and how best to influence things or guide things or get things onto the agenda," she said.
"I hope you appreciate that that kind of expertise will be helpful in a time of great change. I live next door to a man who's 83 years old, my dad, who lives in the same house he was born in. Nobody has seen greater changes in this community than he has," said Huber. "There's a couple of other people in the room who have lived their whole lives here too or spent a lot of time here," she said.
"Change is not necessarily to be feared but we need to manage change," she said, adding that she hangs out regularly with a group of young people and that young people are the future of Saugeen Shores. "It matters to me greatly that I leave behind a fabulous place so that legacy building is very important for this next term of council and I'd like to be part of that," she said.
"I have some good ideas. Council makes decisions that impact not only your tax bill but the quality of life here. I'm going to live here for the rest of my life. I want it to be a happy place," Huber said.
"After an incredible 20 year career in university marketing I never thought that my two degrees in public administration municipal politics and planning would be put to such good use during my retirement," she said. "Beyond involvement with a couple of service clubs and groups, my public aspirations rest solely with our wonderful town and I would be very happy to serve on your behalf during the next term of council," added Huber.
"Some of the people in this room have been the voice in my head many times. Some of you have left interesting messages on my phone over the years too and those voices become part of everything I do at council," she said.
Moderator John Divinski closed the evening by reminding attendees that voting opens on Friday, October 12 at 10 a.m. and closes October 22 at 8 p.m. "There's no reason why you don't have time or a place to vote," he said. "We're voting by internet and by phone and we've got a ton of time to do it."
See also:
Opening statements, at-large candidates
