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Questions from Voices Of Ajax - (note candidate knox did not respond to this request)
1) Are you a resident of the Ward you are running in? Yes/No
Yes.
We have lived and worked within Ajax for 29 years. My family currently resides between Wards 3 and 1. We are empty nesting. Our three children are finishing up their education. When done we will be left with only our Ward 3 home.
2) What are the top 3 issues you feel are the most important for the Residents of your Ward ?
What people tell me while canvassing, TAXES, safety, traffic concerns and challenges ahead facing seniors.
With your response please provide a statement about how you would address these issues.
a) TAXES - Ajax taxes have gone up 12.5% over the past four year term of office (not counting the individual years of compounding percentages) and we have received 23 million from the slots. When Ajax took on the slots council said the revenue from the slots would steady our taxes. We all know taxes will go up but these increases should mirror the rate of inflation. If we had control and restraint in spending we wouldn’t need the increases we are experiencing.
b) SAFETY - At the municipal level of Local Councilor the only real control we have over safety issues is in effective town planning. It is apparent that attention has not been paid to the concept of CPTED (Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design). Town planning has ignored basic concepts that can help reduce crime without taxpayers incurring persistent and increasing costs. I would strongly push for the review and application of all CPTED principles going forward. It is easier and more cost effective to apply CPTED in new housing developments & we can apply some basic principals retroactively to existing developments.
c) SENIORS - Current statistics state the senior population is 1 in 14 but within 15 years those numbers will climb to 1 in 4. Ajax does not have a centre where seniors can go to socialize and enjoy a meal. A good number of Ajax seniors must go to the centres in Whitby & Oshawa. Many seniors in our community have told me they can’t get to Whitby due to transportation issues. We need more attention paid to this growing demographic in our community. This can best be addressed by building an adequate seniors centre that can provide some of the benefits that those in Whitby & Oshawa already have now.
3) What can you do for the Sporting Associations in this town in terms of the
climbing Permit Fees ? ASMBA Baseball pays the highest permit fees in Ontario to the Town of Ajax.
This is a user pay Town but what could you do to ensure we don’t price everyone out of the game?
I have heard these kinds of concerns at the doors and as an advocate of affordable activities for our youth I would want the resources available to support activities that engage our youth year round. Ajax has already committed $28 million to bike paths. I would like to see a budget that puts basic CPTED principles to the forefront for our youth by directing money towards youth activities such as baseball & indoor soccer. Subsidizing some of these kinds of activities would help utilize CPTED principles while keeping participation costs down for our citizens.
4) With Local Council Terms now set at 4 years and Provincial Elections set every 4 years , the next Provincial election is in 2011, one year following this Local Election in 2010.
Would you run in 2010 Local election with thoughts of running in a 2011 Provincial Election?
NO - I’m focused on our local community.
5) What are your feelings on Growth and Sprawl and what would you do to help Ajax really become a leader in Planning?
I am concerned about excessive sprawl and the encroachment upon our natural resources. Attention needs to be paid to maintaining and improving existing facilities/developments in Ajax instead of simply choosing to expand infinitum.
Also by paying attention to CPTED see 2 (b) above.
How can you fix the mistakes of the past in terms of bad planning?
Stop the green space credit to the developers. Developers must apply a percentage of land development to green space yet they have been allowed to pay a fee to the Town in lieu of setting aside the green space. Once the land is developed you can’t take it back. I find this a deplorable practice and an example of blatant mismanagement by our town council. We need more baseball diamonds and more soccer fields. Apply as many of the principals of CPTED as possible. Get rid of as many of the dark areas we’ve created as possible with increased, low wattage, lighting in the parks and bicycle paths so we can see into those dark areas when walking and passing.
6) How much priority should the Town give to the interest of existing residents when deliberating over development designs advanced via the Planning Dept?
A higher priority should be paid to existing residents when wanting to make reasonable renovations and changes to their property. There have been many changes to staff and council over the years that have resulted in many different interpretations and changes to codes. Existing residents are at home in Ajax and should not be held ransom because of planning changes through the years. Each request should be reviewed fairly & rationally. Simply using a code book, which is subject to change at any time, can not be to sole rational used when evaluating a given situation.
7) How will you communicate with your constituents and how often?
I would like to hold quarterly or semi-annual town hall meetings with my Regional Councillor counterpart and Trustees. That is the only way to keep on top of issues if not knocking on doors. I would also like to publish a Newsletter with current issues and events. Communication is key and I’m hearing on the streets a number of areas that need intervention by willing participants. If the residents are not engaged to participate it is hard to interpret what their needs are.
8- What can you do to increase Voter turnout ?
I’m encouraging them to vote at the door and through any of my main means of communication. I am trying to make the residents cognizant of the deplorable statistics facing Ajax in recent years. I’ve been informing them of how the municipal government is run. People feel disconnected and I intend to let them know that their government on the municipal level is not untouchable and can be affected by individual citizens. The government is suppose to work for the people and I am letting people know that this is how any efficient government should be run. I also remind them that they can’t complain if they don’t participate. Same input = Same output!
a) What do you feel is the biggest contributor to low voter turnout?
The feeling of the inability to incite change. People feel they are controlled by outside forces. Understanding that if they engage the issues they can incite change.
9) Development Charges are paid to the Town when new growth occurs. For the benefit of readers cash-in-lieu means the developer is giving the Town of Ajax money instead of land for Parkland. In your opinion have these funds been allocated equitably throughout the Town?
As mentioned above I would like to see a stop to this practice. We need more not less. We have a wonderful waterfront but north Ajax needs more parkland.
10) How best can you balance the needs of Business with the needs of Residents ?
As a business owner and resident I don’t see conflict between the two. I’d like to see more areas where people can work from home and not have to pay rent in the commercial plazas. Development has made divisions between residential and commercial instead of combining the two. Developing areas where both blend together would give small entrepreneurs a desire to set up shop in Ajax, especially with the services industry. Government statistics confirm that the largest growth is in small business in recent years.
Creating more opportunities to work and live within AjaxPage: 1
would also promote growth and a greater sense of community. This is actually a very strong development theory. Currently, citizens are made to spend more money because of town zoning laws that force people to live far away from where they work. This kind of zoning hurts community development and is actually a violation of a fundamental CPTED principle. People drive to work, go shopping in other towns/cities, come home to Ajax and stay in their house. Many citizens can’t walk to the store given where they live and this means that they are not likely to help create a sense of community or togetherness amongst their neighbours. Creating more foot traffic would also act as a deterrent to potential criminals who think they won’t be seen if contemplating a future criminal act.
11) What is your Vision for Ajax ?
I want Ajax to be a place with reverence for its past, prosperity in its present and belief in its future. My vision is a place where people can work and live while enjoying a strong sense of community. We have a beautiful waterfront and many enjoyable activities around town.
Ajax has the potential and the foundation to be one of Canada’s most desirable places to live. However, we need to combat urban sprawl and embrace urban living in order for that to happen. Otherwise Ajax could just end up as another stop full of suburban developments and big block stores on the 401.
12) The Town of Ajax has a population of 90,000 or so according to the signs. Why do you feel we should still call ourselves a Town instead of a City ?
Does retaining the designation of Town hinder acceptance of Higher Density housing in your opinion?
The Town designation gives the perception of Ajax being more quaint than Oshawa or Toronto. Higher density housing is a provincial requirement at this time and can be done if the concepts of CPTED are applied properly. Those developments can be while creating a strong sense of community.
13) The purchase of St. Francis Church has had some financial surprises, how would you ensure that Residents are not surprised with the actual cost versus the budgeted cost of large capital projects ? The outdoor pool has also exceeded initial estimates.
The detailed reasons for these cost increases have not been communicated. I would want the estimates for such projects to be done by more than one source and hold those making such low estimates held accountable for their actions. Cost overruns can occur. However, doubling or tripling costs clearly convey incompetence of those making the decisions. Those in charge obviously did not see to it that due diligence was done to ensure these overruns did not become as excessive as they have in the above mentioned cases. A more thorough investigation into the undertaking of these projects is the best solution to this problem.
14) The maintenance of Parks has gone down over the years. As a Councillor how can you ensure the front line services citizens expect can be effectively delivered while keeping a line on costs?
I need more information to determine why this has happened and if the current process needs alterations. In the Village we see excess staff involved in the watering of plants which makes us wonder is their waste that can be cut or better utilized. Making more efficient use of the resources available would be a step in the right direction.
15) Taxes will never go down, what can you do to have residents not see increases every year ? The Province downloaded costs to Municipalities years ago that are at the Region Level. What can you do at the Local or Regional Level to help keep a line on increases?
Taxes will always increase at times, but they should at most mirror the rate of inflation. When estimating capital projects, council has to have the most knowledge people available to advise them when estimating the cost of any significant project. There are so many current town projects over budget by hundreds of thousands of dollars which must account for a large portion of these increases. Priorities have to be outlined and guidelines must be in place to promote efficiency.
16) Have you ever been convicted of a crime for which you have not been pardoned?
No. I have not been nor has anyone in my immediate family ever been convicted of a crime.
17) What can you do to better educate residents on the Budget process ?
Communication is the key. Holding regularly scheduled meetings. Create newsletters to update residents on what is happening. Anything that promotes contributions from residents should be impletmented.
The following questions are geared to challengers, incumbents do not need to answer the below.
1) If you are part of a group of citizens in a residential issue or a BIA , what has your experience been with the Town and it’s policies ?
The Town has held meetings as part of a process, but have not actively engaged in the listening part of that process with the citizens or businesses. Regarding the Pickering Village BIA, the Town was not engaged with ensuring the operational business processes of the Pickering Village BIA were being met. Up until these past few months, meetings were not held with proper procedures, there were no organized monthly meetings, attendance was not encouraged & communication overall was nil.
The town has not paid attention to the business owners concerns over parking but has continued with their vision of what they believe the village should be without the infrastructure to support it. ‘If you build it, they will come’ plan as been the goal in recent years. According to the Town, what is working in the Village currently is not desirable even though’ the taxes are paid and occupancy high.
2) What is the first thing you want to see changed if you are granted a seat on council ?
Parking at Ajax’s waterfront. The planning for the Village is big on curbside but-ins. I would like to see angle parking but-ins along Lake Driveway to increase the desirability to use the waterfront, ease the frustration of the residents trying to get in and out of their driveways. The green-space along the roadside would not be missed but the parking would relieve so much frustration for residents who live near the lake. The current number of parking spots has not increased since the town was half its current size.
3) Will Mr. Baker be able to hear what is being said at GGC meetings with a proper sound system ?
I most certainly hope so. I do not see one good reason why, especially when it has been requested. When a handi-cap is communicated not to use the available equipment is deplorable! My Mother was hard of hearing so this resonates with me.
4) What was the single most motivating factor that caused you to file your papers ?
The lack of interaction, transparency, debate and communication with the current Ajax council. The quiet rubber stamping is not what council is supposed represent. What first upset me was three phone calls not returned in 2006 by the incumbent which forced me to go outside my ward, to Joe Dickson for answers. Since that time I’ve taken a vested interest in watching council & trying to understand why this group appears to be uninviting to those outside of it.
For everyone: Any closing comments you would like the Citizens of Ajax to know about you and your beliefs ?
I believe we all make judgments and decisions based on the information we have at the time of making them. Respect for all is key, even if it is only allowing those frustrated to vent. Being in insurance for the past 30 years and working with citizens through various organizations I have learned the value of listening to the input of others, problem solving and efficient communication.
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