Local Govt

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" colspan=2 height=56 BGCOLOR="#666633" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="00fc8c83.jpg"> <div> Local government</div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" width=160 BGCOLOR="#666633" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>WHO WON</B><B> </B></div> <div> <B>THE NOV.  2006 MUNICIPAL ELECTION IN HALIBURTON COUNTY?</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2_m.htm#highlands_east" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>HIGHLANDS EAST</B></U></A><A HREF="id2_m.htm#highlands_east" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>.</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Reeve:</B></div> <div> <B>Dave Burton </B></div> <div> <B>Ward 1:</B></div> <div> <B>Jim Mackie</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 2:</B></div> <div> <B>Suzanne Partridge</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 3:</B></div> <div> <B>Donna Graham</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 4:</B></div> <div> <B>Gary Stoughton</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2_m.htm#dysart_et_al" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>DYSART ET AL</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Reeve:</B></div> <div> <B>Murray Fearrey </B></div> <div> <B>Deputy Reeve:</B></div> <div> <B>Bill Davis </B></div> <div> <B>Ward 1:</B></div> <div> <B>Andrea Roberts</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 2:</B></div> <div> <B>Derek Knowles</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 3:</B></div> <div> <B>Steve Pogue</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 4:</B></div> <div> <B>Janis Parker</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 5:</B></div> <div> <B>Dan Kay</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2_m.htm#algonquin_highlands_main_office" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Reeve:</B></div> <div> <B>Eleanor Harrison</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 1:</B></div> <div> <B>Don Shortreed</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 2:</B></div> <div> <B>Tom Gardner</B></div> <div> <B>Carol Moffat</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 3:</B></div> <div> <B>Diane Griffin</B></div> <bR> <div> <A HREF="id2_m.htm#minden_hills" TARGET="TRLX_Middle" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>MINDEN HILLS</B></U></A></div> <div> <B>Reeve:</B></div> <div> <B>Jim McMahon</B></div> <div> <B>Deputy-Reeve:</B></div> <div> <B>Cheryl Murdoch</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 1:</B></div> <div> <B>Lisa Schell</B></div> <div> <B>Bill Obee</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 2:</B></div> <div> <B>Barbara Reid</B></div> <div> <B>Ward 3:</B></div> <div> <B>Rick Ratliff</B></div> <div> <B>Councillor</B></div> <div> <B>At Large:</B></div> <div> <B>Peter Oyler </B></div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>School board trustee:</B></div> <div> <B>Valerie Smith.</B></div> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> <bR> </td> <td valign="top" height=424 BGCOLOR="#FFFBF0" TEXT="#080000"> <div> <B>Contact information</B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT></div> <div> <B>for the</B><FONT SIZE="5" COLOR="#339966" FACE="Arial" ><B> </B></FONT><A HREF="#corporation_of_the_county_of_haliburton" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>County of Haliburton</B></U></A><B> and the municipalities of </B><A HREF="#algonquin_highlands_main_office" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>Algonquin Highlands</B></U></A><B>, </B></div> <div> <A HREF="#dysart_et_al" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>Dysart et al</B></U></A><B>, </B><A HREF="#highlands_east" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>Highlands East</B></U></A><B> and </B><A HREF="#minden_hills" TITLE="Local Govt"><U><B>Minden Hills</B></U></A><B> <A NAME="hills"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B></div> <bR> <div> <I><B>(See below, just under this historical map of Haliburton County in 1951)</B></I></div> <div> <I><IMG SRC="0ec589e0.jpg" border=0 width="600" height="670" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></I></div> <div> <I>Image scanned from Map of Southern Ontario Charles F. Tarlin & Company, 94 Market Street, Toronto</I></div> <div> <I>Surveyed and printed in 1951. From the Archives of Ontario </I><A HREF="http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/counties/haliburton.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/ex"><U><I>http://www.archives.gov.on.ca/english/exhibits/maps/counties/haliburton.htm</I></U></A></div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="corporation_of_the_county_of_haliburton"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Corporation of the County of Haliburton</B></div> <div> P.O. Box 399, 11 Newcastle St., Minden, Ontario K0M 2K0</div> <div> Tel: 705-286-1333  </div> <div> Fax: 705-286-4829</div> <div> County CAO Jim Wilson</div> <div> Human Resources Coordinator/Deputy Clerk: Tamara Williams</div> <div> Email: <A HREF="mailto:twilbee@county.haliburton.on.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:twilbee@county.haliburton.on.ca"><U>twilbee@county.haliburton.on.ca</U></A></div> <div> Web site: <A HREF="http://www.county.haliburton.on.ca/HHCC/municipal.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.county.haliburton.on.ca/HHCC/"><U>www.county.haliburton.on.ca/HHCC/municipal.asp</U></A></div> <div> County Warden: Murray Fearrey</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="algonquin_highlands_main_office"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Algonquin Highlands main office:</B></div> <div> RR 2 Minden, Ontario</div> <div> K0M 2K0</div> <div> Phone: 705-489-2379</div> <div> Fax: 705-489-3491</div> <div> Email: <A HREF="mailto:stanhope@county.haliburton.on.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:stanhope@county.haliburton.on.ca"><U>stanhope@county.haliburton.on.ca</U></A></div> <div> Web: <A HREF="http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca " TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.algonquinhighlands.ca "><U>www.algonquinhighlands.ca </U></A></div> <div> <B>Satellite Office:</B></div> <div> P.O. Box 99 Dorset, Ontario</div> <div> P0A 1E0</div> <div> Phone: (705) 766-2211</div> <div> Fax: (705) 766-9688</div> <div> Email: <A HREF="mailto:sherborn@vianet.on.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:sherborn@vianet.on.ca"><U>sherborn@vianet.on.ca</U></A></div> <div> Clerk/Administrator: Lorne Mitchell</div> <div> Reeve: Eleanor Harrison</div> <bR> <div> <B>D</B><B> <A NAME="dysart_et_al"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>ysart et al</B></div> <div> P.O. Box 389, Maple Avenue, Haliburton, Ontario K0M 1S0</div> <div> Tel: 705-457-1740 & Fax: 705-457-1964</div> <div> Email: <A HREF="mailto:dysart@on.aibn.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:dysart@on.aibn.com"><U>dysart@on.aibn.com</U></A></div> <div> Web site: <A HREF="http://www.dysartetal.ca/" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.dysartetal.ca/"><U>http://www.dysartetal.ca/</U></A></div> <div> Clerk/Administrator: Tammy McKelvey</div> <div> Reeve: Murray Fearrey</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="highlands_east"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Highlands East</B></div> <div> County Road 648 P.O. Box 295, Wilberforce, Ontario K0L 3C0</div> <div> Telephone: 705-448-2981 Fax: 705-448-2532</div> <div> Email: <A HREF="mailto:highlands@on.aibn.com" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:highlands@on.aibn.com"><U>highlands@on.aibn.com</U></A></div> <div> Web site<A HREF="http://www.highlandseast.ca/cover.asp" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.highlandseast.ca/cover.asp"><U>:http://www.highlandseast.ca/cover.asp</U></A></div> <div> Clerk/Administrator: Sharon Stoughton-Craig</div> <div> Reeve: Dave Burton</div> <bR> <div> <B> <A NAME="minden_hills"><IMG BORDER="0" SRC="1x1.gif" HEIGHT="1" ALIGN="bottom" WIDTH="1" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" ></A></B><B>Minden Hills</B></div> <div> 7 Milne Street, Minden, Ontario</div> <div> Tel: 705-286-1260  </div> <div> Fax: 705-286-4917</div> <div> e-mail: <A HREF="mailto:gerrymorrison@county.haliburton.on.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="mailto:gerrymorrison@county.haliburton.o"><U>gerrymorrison@county.haliburton.on.ca</U></A></div> <div> Website: http://<A HREF="http://www.minden.on.ca" TARGET="_top" TITLE="http://www.minden.on.ca"><U>www.minden.on.ca</U></A></div> <div> Clerk/Administrator: Gerry Morrison</div> <div> Reeve: Jim McMahon</div> <bR> <div> =======================================================================</div> <bR> <div> <B>How do local politicians </B></div> <div> <B>stand on environmental issues?</B></div> <div> Environment Haliburton! cares, first and foremost, about environment issues and, in many cases, municipal politicians are the stewards of Haliburton's rich resources. They are the ones making important decisions about development and it's crucial that our decision-makers are informed about environmental issues.</div> <div> As a result, EH! sent a series of questions to local politicians asking for their comments. Not all candidates replied. We don't know why they didn't.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>TOWNSHIP OF HIGHLANDS EAST</B></I></div> <div> <B>Township of Highlands East</B></div> <div> <B>CHUCK VINER</B></div> <div> <B>Reeve candidate</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>General</U></B></div> <div> <I>What are the most serious environmental challenges facing the township, immediate and in the long term?</I></div> <div> Land fill Issues</div> <div> <I>As a municipal representative, what steps can you take to ensure that economic growth in the areas is environmentally sound?</I></div> <div> I point to my invovement in the recent asphalt plant issue</div> <div> <I>Waste Management</I></div> <div> It seems clear that our landfill sites won't last forever, and with more people coming to live in this area the problem of waste disposal could be a severe one soon. What steps will you take to better manage our waste?</div> <div> <I>How would you improve the effectiveness of your municipality's recycling programs?</I></div> <div> More active involvement by landfill attendants</div> <div> <I>Would you support a municipal by-law requiring the use of transparent bags for disposal in the land fill site?</I></div> <div> Not sure on this one</div> <div> <I>Waterfront development</I></div> <div> <I>Aside from the work being done with the Official Plan, what would you like to see accomplished in the upcoming three years to protect lakes from the possibility of wall-to-wall cottages/homes, increased boating/recreational demands and inappropriate commercial/industrial development?</I></div> <div> I would work closely with cottage associations-listen to their concerns</div> <div> <I>Responsibility for ensuring that septic systems are not polluting our water now lies with the municipality. What steps, including potential tax increases, would you take to ensure regular inspection and , when required, upgrading of septic systems?</I></div> <div> We need help from M.O.E. and Prov. Funding</div> <div> <I>Do you believe that certification of satisfactory septic system operation should be a prerequisite of real estate transactions in the township?</I></div> <div> Yes</div> <div> <B><U>Official Plan</U></B></div> <div> <I>The county and the township have drafted new official plans with strong support for environmental protection.  What do you see as the major challenges in implementing these plans and how what actions would you take to meet these challenges?</I></div> <div> My main concern relates to disposing of our garbage-county has spent $18,000 on a consulting firm that has told us what we already knew. We need more research into oxidation.</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>TOWNSHIP OF DYSART ET AL</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Dysart et al</B></div> <div> <B>MURRAY FEARREY</B></div> <div> <B>Reeve candidate</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>General </U></B></div> <div> The most serious environmental challenge facing the township short-term is septage waste and its proper disposal; long-term is the whole issue of waste, garbage and landfills and the methods of disposal.</div> <div> I can ensure that the new Official plan is adhered to. This will ensure that economic growth is environmentally sound, sometimes however what is environmentally sound  is an opinion either of a group, an individual , MOE or perhaps the Health Unit.  Opinions may vary. In these cases a study by a qualified consultant is needed  to evaluate the impact.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waste management</U></B></div> <div> I will suggest intensifying education by working with Environment Haliburton to put out an educational notice in the taxbills to reflect the economic and environmental advantages of a more intense recycling program. Further,  we must do a better job of promoting hazardous waste day and educating what hazardous waste is. I would continue exploring the oxidization process.</div> <div> I would support a bylaw requiring use of transparent bags.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waterfront Development</U></B></div> <div> I will work with the new zoning bylaw to protect against wall-to-wall  development -- sideyard setbacks and zoning restrictions will prevent this occurrence. Commercial /industrial development will be required to pass all the requirements of the both the Official Plan and the Zoning Bylaw. I have always been, and will continue to be, supportive of Cottage Associations  and will be most willing to support a Lake plan developed by the owners of the lake to establish guidelines for their lake.</div> <bR> <div> As you are aware the Municipality of Dysart has just completed the Kawagama Lake septic inspection program and prior to that in 1996-97 completed septic inspections in conjunction with MOE (Ministry of the Environment) on our major lakes. I would support a further inspection program and I would definitely support reinspection and certification on resale and expansion of cottages.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Official Plan</U></B></div> <div> Ensure that we have competent staff at both levels of government to ensure that the plans are being adhered to. Major developments must be subject to storm water management and site plan agreements and must be on sanitary sewers or proven high volume septic systems.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Other</U></B></div> <div> Every action no matter how small has some impact, the resolve is to find a suitable balance between jobs and environmental impact. Obviously home-based industries, the arts and crafts belong. You know my involvement in the development of  Sir Sandford Fleming  College -- this is the type of industry we need and the kind I will continue to support.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Dysart et al</B></div> <div> <B>BILL DAVIS</B></div> <div> <B>Deputy Reeve candidate</B></div> <bR> <div> Probably the biggest concern will be waste management and sewage lagoons for solid and liquid waste.</div> <div> In Dysart I believe we have sound planning and our new Official Plan will guide us through the next 10-15 years. Site plan agreements, rezoning and the tools of planning are what we have to make what happens and where it happens and is it compatible with the area from a planning process as well as a planning process.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waste Management</U></B></div> <div> We all know and agree that we can and must do better in recycling and to make this happen we must educate the people on how a valuable resource our dumps are and without everyone's cooperation we will lose this resource. We have a new study on the waste disposal sites in the county and it appears that the larger two municipalities are certainly in a better position than the other two. We still need time to adjust to the process of understanding this document and be sure the figures are right.  The bottom line is we must manage our sites better.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Clear Bags</U></B></div> <div> I can't answer one way or the other, however I would certainly lean towards supporting clear bags and, at the same time, charge tipping fees to people who violate and don't recycle.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waterfront Development   </U></B></div> <div> A new study is being carried out by a couple of ministries on cold water lakes with lake trout in them and this is a capacity study. When we see these numbers they could very well become part of the new Official Plan and possibly municipal affairs would make that mandatory with their approval of our new plan.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Septic Tank Inspection</U></B><B> </B>  </div> <div> I believe that there should be mandatory inspection after a certain number of years (ie. 20), however the only agency that approves septics is the local health unit and there enforcement policies are highly suspect. I support that, before the municipality issues a letter of compliance to a lawyer in a sale of an existing lake front cottage, an inspection of the existing tank, especially if it is more than 15 years old and if no records are found at the local health unit on the particular septic, then no letter will be issued.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Official Plan, Environmental and Implementation</U></B></div> <div> I strongly believe that our biggest challenge will come at the OMB (Ontario Municipal Board) as we have already seen in a recent hearing on Redstone Lake. He (the OMB judge) overlooked our Official Plan and Bylaws and allowed a boat house within 11 feet of the high water mark, based on his belief it could be hidden and giving no regard for our plan. This must not happen and the new government should make sure that these awards take into consideration local planning initiatives and not allow the members the wide power that they have now.</div> <bR> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Dysart et al</B></div> <div> <B>AL FERGUSON</B></div> <div> <B>Ward Two Candidate</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>General</U></B></div> <div> 1. Waste management (dumps are filling up and no long-term solution in place).</div> <div> 2. Encourage growth of low-impact businesses which deliver a significant benefit to Haliburton in terms of high-quality, year-round jobs. (This is tough to do as all municipalities want these kinds of businesses so we have to sell what differentiates us from the rest, ie. lakes, scenery, arts community etc). Any large businesses (eg. wood product related) should be welcomed as long as the impact on the environment is as minimal as is practical.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waste Management</U></B></div> <div> 1. When I was on Council before, I supported the use of new technology such as the oxidizer unit. It is sound environmentally. We should continue recycling and investigate whether composting is a practical option.</div> <div> 2. We recycle glass, metal, plastics, cardboard and paper which I think is a good start. The other major area might be organic material, but from what I've seen this could be too expensive for what you get out of it.</div> <div> 3. Transparent bags sound good but how practical are they? Who's going to check bags to make sure that they only contain approved material? A lot of people use supermarket bags to collect in-house garbage and dump those into the big bags. You want someone to open up these? I don't think a  by-law will work and it would be too expensive to implement.</div> <div> 4. What is needed is increased education of the public as to the impact on the dump by what they put in the garbage.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waterfront Development</U></B></div> <div> 1. I don't believe we're going to see "wall-to-wall" cottages and homes. By-laws are in place detailing minimal frontages and setbacks. Increased boating and recreational demands are not, per se, wrong. You don't want to see/hear PWCs (personal watercrafts) close to shore or 200 hp boats rocketing over the lakes. More OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) enforcement in the summer would help. What do you mean by "inappropriate commercial/development?"  It's a matter of opinion as to what is appropriate or not. I don't want negative impact on the lakes/rivers both from a visual and potential pollution point of view. I think it is a mistake for the municipality to sell the shoreline road allowance. It should be preserved so there is at least some control of what goes on at the shore. We need more MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) enforcement of laws regarding work on the shoreline. We need to educate and encourage owners/builder to quit cutting down all the trees on the shoreline set-back. We need to encourage people not to plant grass with the subsequent use of fertilizers which leach into the lake.</div> <div> 2. All septic tanks should be re-inspected whenever title changes hands or every 10? years, whatever comes first. A condition of sale should be a clean bill of health for the septic system. The seller pays the cost.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Official Plan</U></B></div> <div> Don't know enough about the Official Plan to comment.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Other</U></B></div> <div> One concern in Haliburton is that our industrial/commercial base is too small and the burden of taxes fall more and more upon the residential property owners</div> <div> In addition we need jobs that are above the minimum wage typical of the tourist industry. We need more jobs such as those provided by places like the Hospital and Sir Sanford Fleming College  and Patient News. We have to encourage businesses with long-term jobs to locate here. We also have to be practical about it, too. All businesses  have an impact on the environment, it's a question of how much we will allow.   </div> <bR> <div> <I><B>TOWNSHIP OF ALGONQUIN HIGHLANDS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Algonquin Highlands</B></div> <div> <B>JIM HICKS (for himself and the incumbent councillors)</B></div> <bR> <div> I have been `appointed' by the members of the Algonquin Highlands Council to respond to the questionnaire which your group sent to all council members and candidates. The present members of the AH Council are very close in their thinking re environmental issues so rather than each of us responding we are submitting a group response.</div> <bR> <div> We have two very urgent issues facing us now - namely the approval of an additional septage lagoon for the southern part of the township and increasing the life of our landfill sites. Council has recently engaged SGS Lakefield to assist us with both of the issues noted above.</div> <bR> <div> We are negotiating with the MOE to come up with an acceptable plan and location for the lagoon. We know the urgency of this project but will not proceed if there is any well-founded indication that it will have a detrimental impact on Kushog Lake. We are keeping the interested Cottage Associations well informed re the progress of this proposal.</div> <bR> <div> We are also working with SGS to guide us through a Waste Management Study for AH which will investigate all possible methods of extending the life of our landfill sites so that we will have a viable plan for the years ahead. This study will look at the long term needs of our township and will include involving a Public Liaison Committee made up of members of our community.</div> <bR> <div> I'm sure you know that AH is the only township in the County which has an active Waste Management Committee - made up of two council members and several members of the public. This committee has operated for many years and has been a valuable source of info for Council and also serves as liaison between Council and our ratepayers. Twice yearly newsletters from this group keep our ratepayers well informed regarding most environmental issues. We all believe that effective communication and education are essential in this area and we feel we do this very well. It is very likely that our WMC will recommend that Council make recycling mandatory, similar to Highlands East, so that our diversion rate will increase to acceptable levels.</div> <bR> <div> Our recently approved consolidated zoning by-laws and soon to be approved Official Plan have increased the minimum frontage for new lakefront development to 200 ft, increased the minimum lot size, increased the setbacks and put stringent restrictions on certain of our sensitive lakes. We have also just completed the second year of a total septic inspection program. We have financially supported the Kawagama Lake POA in their recent initiatives toward a Lake Study - now underway - and also in the discussion stage at the Halls Hawk Association.</div> <bR> <div> The manner in which we handled the proposed asphalt plant in AH, I believe, indicates that we are aware of the importance of appropriate commercial/industrial development. The Heatline plant located at our airport is an excellent example of the kind of industry which we believe in and will encourage for the future on our airport property.</div> <bR> <div> In closing, may I quote Cathy Olliffe in a recent letter to the editor of The Times. She says, "I consider myself lucky to live in this township (AH) where this Council of Eleanor, Don, Kerry, Tom and Jim and their staff are smart, down-to-earth, courageous, honest and ENVIRONMENTALLY-AWARE people"</div> <bR> <div> <I><B>TOWNSHIP OF MINDEN HILLS</B></I></div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Minden Hills</B></div> <div> <B>Brendan Berubé</B></div> <div> <B>Candidate for Reeve</B></div> <bR> <div> <B><U>General</U></B></div> <div> The most serious environmental challenges facing the Township are protection of the natural environment and waste management.  The natural environment is our main asset.  With the new Official Plans (some passed, some pending), including the County Plan, we have a strong framework in place to accomplish the goal of protecting the natural environment.  Some would say these documents are not strong enough, but the public process which created them is how we do business in Ontario at the Municipal level.  I worked on and strongly support the Official Plan for Minden Hills.</div> <div> <B><U> </U></B></div> <div> <B><U>Waste Management</U></B></div> <div> The future of waste management should be a County function.  I have said this before as Planning Administrator for the Township, and I believe in this approach.  Some consideration has been given to this matter at the County level, but more needs to be done.  We need a long range plan which sets clear goals and suggests appropriate strategies to deal with waste in the future.  With the closure of the Little Gull Lake site in Lutterworth Township next year, we should be hearing the warning bells.  Scotch Line has a life span remaining of anywhere from 20 years to 40 years depending on which management scenario plays out in future (i.e. will we continue on the current course of dump and fill, or will we reduce the amount of waste entering the site by enhanced recycling, reducing waste, and compaction?).  Waste management is a serious problem for the next generation.  We need to produce the long range plan(s) to deal with it now.  By making waste management a County function, we have more resources available to deal with the problem.  Parochialism still exists in Haliburton County, but the waste management challenges we face are everyone's problem.</div> <div>  </div> <div> In the short term we need more efficient management of individual sites.  Increased enforcement of dumping practices by inspecting what is entering these sites (in terms of origin, content and amount) must be undertaken immediately.  Clear bags issued in fixed numbers per household (like they do in Orillia for example) would go a long way toward making users accountable for their waste dumping practices.  Increased recycling would also be associated with increased enforcement 'at the gate'.</div> <div>  </div> <div> In the long term we need a County plan to take over all waste sites at the County level in a clearly defined period and bring them all into line with a standard operating practice.  Such things as transfer of recyclables to a central location for processing should be considered, as well as such other options as an oxidizer or other means of reduction locally.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B><U>Waterfront Development</U></B></div> <div> The most significant action that could be taken in the next three years, based on provisions in the new Official Plan, would be the development of individual lake plans.  These plans have been developed on lakes in bordering municipalities (i.e. Muskoka) and seem to work.  They are, however, viewed by some as being exclusionary toward the general public.  The initiative for such a plan must come from lake residents, and should be supported by Council wherever these initiatives arise.  Policies which further define the scope and extent of lake development can be included in a Lake Plan.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Any development which requires an amendment to the Official Plan is an open public process and so this is the opportunity for any individual or group to comment on, and if necessary object to, such future development plans as they come forward.  Boating capacity is something which can now be considered by Council in new development plans.  Industrial development is not allowed, and commercial development is narrowly defined in the Plan.  I feel adequate protection for the natural environment exists in the new Official Plan, at least in the first 5 year review period.  Council needs to exercise the political will to implement the provisions in the new Plan.</div> <div>  </div> <div> All older septic systems should be inspected (by professionals in a meaningful manner).  Period.  Development of the new 'zero impact' septic systems, currently undergoing testing in the Ministry of the Environment's pilot project in the County, should be encouraged by all.  Where my brother lives in Arizona, all septic systems must be inspected and approved prior to the sale of one's house.  Why can't we have such a regulation here?  We could if we demanded it of the Province.  I think we should demand it.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B><U>Official Plan</U></B></div> <div> Challenges I see in the implementation of these plans on a County basis are consistency and fairness.  I believe, and I said this as Planning Administrator for the Township in the past, that planning should be a County function.  With the new County Plan, new lower tier Plans, and the recent hiring of a new County Planner, the time is ripe for a transfer of these responsibilities to the County level.  Increased efficiencies in administration and better representation of the documents by a qualified professional planner would go a long way toward meeting future challenges.  New business and clean light industry needs a 'one window' venue for exploring the potential of Haliburton County.  With the fractured plans, staffing levels, and differing operating practices existing now, it is difficult for one to get a clear answer from any one individual on a proposal of this nature.</div> <div>  </div> <div> I am pro aggregate.  It's a necessary fact of life.  Like I said at the all candidates meeting, however, I do not see the need for a permanent asphalt plant in the Township.  I would oppose any suggestion that we have one. </div> <div> Management and extraction of gravel is now covered in the new Official Plan, with all the current extraction sites recognized.  When the new land use by-law is brought to the public (it's in the works now) for review and comment, we must look at the legal means afford township staff for regulating the operation and rehabilitation of these sites. Let's keep and eye out for this important document in the near future.</div> <div>  </div> <div> My neighbours across the lake goes away for weeks on end and leave their dusk-to-dawn yard light on (about 4 billion watts.......obviously a sore point here).  Onondoga parties can be heard on our deck a kilometre away from the source.  We cannot legislate common sense.  What is the answer here Heather?</div> <div> Air pollution is another matter.  Sources of our poorer summer air quality index of late are, unfortunately, mostly of Ohio valley origin.  When the public of Ontario demands cleaner air, and are prepared to sacrifice something on a personal level to achieve this outcome, we will see improvements locally.  I'm hopeful, when hope may be all we have to rely on in this regard.</div> <div>  </div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Minden Hills</B></div> <div> <B>PETER OYLER</B></div> <div> <B>Ward One Councillor candidate</B></div> <div> <B> </B></div> <div> <B><U>General</U></B></div> <div> Most serious environmental challenges: (not necessarily in order of importance as all issues listed must be given priority)</div> <div>  The new comprehensive Zoning By-laws  must reflect the environmental thrust of the new Official Plan(s) for Minden Hills, Dysart and the County of Haliburton. Elected representatives must have the fortitude to say no to development in those already environmentally sensitive areas of the county. Regrettably one Council already is backing away from the thrust of its plan by agreeing to development on or near  sensitive wetlands on one of its lakes despite the objections of ratepayers. While consulting professionals have assured this Council that every issue can be addressed with respect to the wetlands, is it not the same consultants who proposed  protecting the wetlands in the first place in this and/or other municipalities within the county?</div> <bR> <div> Over development either residentially or commercially on our lakes and rivers. It is time that the townships addressed the issue of "monster cottages" and "clear cutting" of  residential and/or commercial lots through building footprints and specific site plans and/or maximum floor space indexes for residential and commercial development. A tree-cutting by-law, with respect to  lots and acreage not currently covered by the county's legislation, could also assist.</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B><U>Environmentally sound economic growth:</U></B></div> <div> Use of comprehensive Zoning By-law to say no to dirty industry.</div> <div> Marketing to those businesses and industries only with proven track records </div> <div> Ensuring that new business and industry uses state of the art technology and meets all local, county and provincial legislation under MNR (Ministry of Natural Resources) and/or MOE (Ministry of the Environment).</div> <div>  </div> <div> <B><U>Waste Management:</U></B></div> <div> All local governments face the same challenge with respect to landfill sites. The challenge of meeting waste disposal demands cannot, in my opinion, be met by local and/or county government. The challenge can only be met if local and county governments  work with other regions to investigate and implement already proven alternatives to landfill. We cannot continue to expand our   current sites or look for new sites within the Canadian Shield nor can we ship our garbage to  other areas. We must find the solution ourselves but the county and our four area municipalities must act now.</div> <div> Through education, the public at large must take greater responsibility in following the three Rs program in each of the municipalities. Greater diversion from landfill and reuse of construction materials in other sectors must be investigated . As well,  physical reduction in size of separated construction materials would  assist in conserving present available space.</div> <div> Compulsory composting as an expansion of the three Rs would also benefit.</div> <div> In conjunction with the above it will probably become necessary to reduce the number of allowable bags of garbage per day to our landfill sites with higher tipping fees  for those who go beyond the limit. Private haulers  should be  allowed to dump only waste which has been separated at source. This would have to include contractors as well. Regrettably, this will cost dollars to one of or all of the  property owner, contractor, private hauler and/or municipality if all of the above don't work together on this issue. I, for one, would welcome public input and debate on this issue as a whole.</div> <bR> <div> Transparent garbage bags are used with success in some municipalities as a form of policing what enters  the waste stream and where. This could be used as part of a complete program to increase recycling and reduce the waste dumped at current sites.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waterfront Development:</U></B></div> <div> I believe I have expounded on this issue to some degree already however I do believe it will be the responsibility of cottage or ratepayer associations to develop secondary lake plans for individual lakes which  are stronger in content  than the County Official Plan but comply with the County OP as well.</div> <div> Location and size of new septic systems being constructed lies within the responsibility of the Haliburton Kawartha Pine Ridge District Health Unit. Overseeing that construction and ensuring that construction is correct lies within  the jurisdiction of the municipality through the Ontario Building Code. The municipality currently does not have the responsibility to ensure that septic systems are working properly. That responsibility lies with the current property  owner, diligent neighbours, the Health Unit if complaints are filed against a property and the Ministry of the Environment in the event of spills  which may cause a potential disaster on land or on lakes and rivers. Currently there are rules and regulations under the Ontario Building Code and Health Unit  with respect to upgrading current systems.  Under the present system the health unit is responsible for inspections. As you are probably aware there was a program run several years ago, funded by the province, to commence the inspection of septic systems on our lakes and rivers in our respective townships. Regrettably,  the environment and the MOE (Ministry of the Environment) was not of major importance to the previous governments and funding dried up. If provincial funding were available for the renewal of such a program then I would support it.</div> <bR> <div> Certification of satisfactory septic tank operation at time of real </div> <div> estate transactions:  Yes.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Official Plan</U></B></div> <div> See early paragraphs in my response under General.</div> <bR> <div> I don't have problems with the extraction of gravel from existing quarries and those lands zoned for same . Wayside pits should be restored within reason to their natural state as a responsibility of the  owner  and/or private business doing the extraction. This should be one of the conditions under municipal jurisdiction .</div> <bR> <div> Re noise:  Minden Hills now has an anti-noise by-law enforceable by the municipality in cooperation with the Ontario Provincial Police  punishable under Parts One and Three of the Provincial  Offences  Act. As to air pollution, control of development is key. See earlier.</div> <div> Thank you again for your questionnaire.   </div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Minden Hills</B></div> <div> <B>RON NESBITT</B></div> <div> <B>Councillor at Large candidate</B></div> <bR> <div> Thank you for your concerns and questions about the environment and where I stand on them.  </div> <div> My number one concern is our dumps and where and why they run into our watersheds. Most dumps are lined to stop any and all run-off from the dumps. Our future depends on clean water and air.  We should talk to other cities, townships or towns to see what they are doing to keep clean and safe for the future.</div> <bR> <div> <B><U>Waste Management</U></B></div> <div> More recycling, a better eye on what is being dumped.  I have seen, in the local dumps, batteries, car oil, paint thinner and plastics. This is not checked close enough to ensure this does not happen. I would support anything to make to make the area a better, cleaner, safer place to live and visit for the residents and tourists alike. I was born here and returned two years ago to stay. I can go back four generations here -- I dearly love my home and birth place. I believe growth is coming -- as more people retire they need to be more aware that we have a problem and they need to help repair, not add to, problems we already have. I would support any laws to make all septic tanks to be made and kept up to standards (Official Plan) -- you need people to follow up on any complaints. Anyone not following the rules should be made to clean up their mess and the second time fined or closed down.  The gravel, I don’t know about but I will find out. (Light, noise, air) We have laws so they need to be enforced.  I think this is being done.</div> <div> Thank-you.</div> <bR> <div> <B>Township of Minden Hills</B></div> <div> <B>CHERYL MURDOCH</B></div> <div> <B>Councillor at Large candidate</B></div> <bR> <div> <B> </B><B><U>General</U></B></div> <div> What are the most serious environmental challenges facing the township, immediate and in the long term? <I> </I></div> <div> water quality, garbage, overdevelopment and sewage</div> <div> As a municipal representative, what steps can you take to ensure that economic growth in the areas is environmentally sound?</div> <div> short range & long range planning involving all residents, full time and seasonal. (townhall meetings)</div> <div> <B><U>Waste Management</U></B></div> <div> It seems clear that our landfill sites won't last forever, and with more people coming to live in this area the problem of waste disposal could be a severe one soon. What steps will you take to better manage our waste?   <FONT SIZE="2" COLOR="#666600" FACE="Arial" > </FONT></div> <div> reduce 5 bag per day limit, investigate other means of waste disposal</div> <div> How would you improve the effectiveness of your municipality's recycling programs? </div> <div> reduce 5 bag limit per day, educate all residents re recycling</div> <div> Would you support a municipal by-law requiring the use of transparent bags for disposal in the land fill site? </div> <div> yes!</div> <div> <B><U>Waterfront development</U></B></div> <div> Aside from the work being done with the Official Plan, what would you like to see accomplished in the upcoming three years to protect lakes from the possibility of wall-to-wall cottages/homes, increased boating/recreational demands and inappropriate commercial/industrial development?</div> <div> -consider lake size</div> <div> -consider development on lake</div> <div> -consider number of public accesses</div> <div> -more chances for input from those residents directly involved</div> <div> Responsibility for ensuring that septic systems are not polluting our water now lies with the municipality. What steps, including potential tax increases, would you take to ensure regular inspection and ,when required, upgrading of septic systems?</div> <div> more manpower to deal with this</div> <div> Do you believe that certification of satisfactory septic system operation should be a prerequisite of real estate transactions in the township?</div> <div> yes!</div> <div> <B><U>Official Plan</U></B></div> <div> The county and the township have drafted new official plans with strong support for environmental protection.  What do you see as the major challenges in implementing these plans and how what actions would you take to meet these challenges?</div> <div> -need to enforce, means more money & more manpower.</div> <div> One of the more contentious environmental issues facing the area is the extraction of gravel including the conversion of wayside pits to other uses and the establishment of asphalt plants.  How do you propose to manage gravel extraction in the township?</div> <div> -hands on management & supervision</div> <div> Light, air and noise pollution are growing concerns in the township.  How do you propose to approach these new environmental issues?</div> <div> -if you proceed with this, you must be prepared to enforce it.</div> <bR> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>