This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Mon Jul 8 23:22:09 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: Crewson’s presence at municipal council meetings “speaks volumes” --------------------------------------------------- Conservative David Tilson was first elected the Member of Federal Parliament (MP) for Dufferin-Caledon in January 2004, but, according to sources, has never appeared at a single Shelburne Council meeting to ask how he can help serve the people or the causes of Council. Liberal Candidate Ed Crewson, running for Tilson's seat in the upcoming Federal election, wants to see that changed. Months before the votes are cast, Crewson is making the rounds, visiting every municipal council in his Dufferin-Caledon riding and pledging to work for them. Ed Crewson was a delegate at Shelburne Council July 27th asking one question, “How can I serve you?” Councillor Wade Mills responded, “Your presence here tonight speaks volumes about your open door policy – you are there, you are listening – it is one of my misgivings about our current MP (David Tilson.)” Crewson told the Free Press, “I am visiting the municipal councils of Dufferin-Caledon because I am offering my services as a spokesperson and facilitator in Federal matters that affect the municipalities and people of Dufferin-Caledon.” Crewson stressed, “This is one way in which I hope to redefine the role of the Member of Parliament – by restoring the community engagement component of the job, as it was conducted by Murray Calder (Liberal MP prior to Conservative David Tilson.) As of July 27th, Crewson reported visiting the Townships of Amaranth and Melancthon, the Town of Shelburne and the County of Dufferin and Town Hall meetings in Caledon hosted by the Mayor. While in Shelburne, he approached Council about grants for the Town's sewage treatment plants, as well as Fiddlefest, and other specific to Shelburne issues. Mayor Ken Bennington spoke to Mr. Crewson about Council's concerns with foreign soils being brought into the area. Councillor Randy Chambers told the Liberal candidate that a major challenge was “road blocks by the Ministry of Environment (MOE) and other branches of governments” which caused issues with time lines for acquiring grants. He said they are not always “working together to help us get the job done.” Mr. Crewson took notes on all of Council's issues throughout the delegation. Councillor Walter Benotto expressed concern about the growing need for infrastructure grants for maintaining arenas which would be “important to the community in coming years.” On the theme of sports and recreation, Mr. Crewson said a repeating issue he was hearing about was the need for support for volunteers trying to run youth sports programs and running into issues with school boards regarding rent and insurance costs. He also spoke to Council about the need for Go Bus connections and general improvements to transportation. Outside of Council, Mr. Crewson spoke about common themes from different municipal Councils that had been reported to him during his visits. “I have heard that there is a great need to provide affordable high speed Internet. I have heard that the grant application process needs to be expedited rather than delegating decision-making to the province. More protection for the environment is needed.” Unlike Conservative David Tilson, who “ended Liberal MP Murray Calder's tradition of annually attending council meetings to ask for input and offer assistance,” Ed Crewson says he wants to “champion the causes” of municipal councils in Dufferin-Caledon. By Marni Walsh --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2015-08-17 10:53:07 Post date GMT: 2015-08-17 14:53:07 Post modified date: 2015-08-27 20:37:35 Post modified date GMT: 2015-08-28 00:37:35 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com