Benotto: We need to promote more of our arts and culture

October 18, 2018 · 0 Comments

CANDIDATE: WALTER BENOTTO

RUNNING FOR: COUNCILLOR

My name is Walter Benotto. I have lived in Shelburne for the last 35, my wife Anna and I have 2 sons Michael and Daniel. I went to school in Melancthon, Centennial Hylands, and graduated from Centre Dufferin High School. I am a graduate of Sheridan College as Electronics Technologist. I have served as vice chair of both Hyland Heights and Centre Dufferin District High School parent councils. I served on the executive of Minor Hockey and Lacrosse. I also coached Minor Hockey, Soccer, Lacrosse, baseball and umpired baseball. I am also a former Rotarian.

I have served on Town council for the past 19 years and I am the only incumbent running for council, and I have served as a member of council on the following boards and committees, Budget, Library, Centre Dufferin Recreation Centre, Human Resources, and Heritage, and I currently serve on the following committees and boards, Economic Development, Public works, Accessibility, Provincial Offences, Dufferin Board of Trade, Shelburne and District Fire Department and Nottawasaga Valley Conservation Authority.

I feel we need to promote more of our Arts and Culture and make better use of the Grace Tippling Hall, Jack Downing Park, and our artists, we can hire a person on base salary and commission with experience to bring more events to Shelburne, and to promote the events and our artist. Collingwood uses this method to promote the Elvis festival.

Our town needs a truck bypass to remove heavy trucks and heavy weekend traffic and improve traffic and safety. I have petitioned the MTO for the last 15 years to get this done. I would like to see an advanced green light at Greenwood Street Main and Main at Owen Sound Street to better move traffic.

I would like to work towards an internal bus service for our citizens to get around, and also either a Go bus service or partner with Grey County in order to get our citizens to work.

I see a need for more accessible playground equipment for our parks, and also more accessible homes for our seniors, and those with accessible needs, and more condos for seniors.

I would like to continue with our master parks plane to create more trails, a dog park, splash pad, more activities for our seniors and youth such as tennis courts, basket ball nets, pickle ball, and more.

We need to ensure that our infrastructure needs are met, the roads, sidewalks, and pipes in the ground. Our fire department and police department are at capacity and we need to address this situation. I would like see balanced growth between commercial, industrial and residential and create more jobs for our citizens.

On October 22 I ask for your vote.

Thank You