This page was exported from Shelburne Free Press [ https://shelburnefreepress.ca ] Export date:Wed Jul 3 13:23:21 2024 / +0000 GMT ___________________________________________________ Title: All candidates meeting held at local legion --------------------------------------------------- Written By Paula Brown Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Parks and Recreation, road safety, health services, a waste water plant, council attendance and fiscal responsibility were just a few of the topics brought up at Shelburne's All Candidates meeting.  On Tuesday (Oct. 4), candidates in the 2022 Shelburne Council Election gathered at the local legion from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. as part of a candidates' forum. The three-hour long meeting, gave community members the opportunity to bring forward questions and concerns they have for the candidates ahead of the election. In attendance for the event, were 13 of the 15 candidates vying for a spot on the next term of Shelburne Council. Absent was council candidates Marcus Bennett, and deputy mayor candidate Kurldeep Verma.  Following a brief introduction and bios from each of the attending candidates, the meeting moved onto question period.  Parks and Recreation: The construction of an indoor pool facility as part of a new community hub has been a big project brought up by a number candidate during their campaign.  Both Walter Benotto and Alethia O'Hara Stephenson were asked how the project would be funded.  “To get an indoor pool in place we've already had some conversations with the treasury and our MPP looking to get grant money and money from the province. The other thing that we have in our thought process is having the YMCA drawn here. Now, if we get the YMCA to come up here, they also have worked with other municipalities where they have been able to get corporate money for themselves as well as for the municipalities that they work at,” said Benotto.  O'Hara Stephenson said, “It will be an opportunity to revisit and investigate the option of the YMCA. This will be an opportunity to revisit those conversations, look at the cost impacts and see what the best option would be. Working with members of council, working with community stakeholders to be able to get the best bang for your buck and make sure that we're not impacting residents further with additional taxes.” Road Safety: Community members have been lobbying for safety along Shelburne Main Street for a number of years with the increase in traffic. Most recently, concerns have been raised on the need for an advanced left-hand turning light at the intersection of Hwy 89 and the new Fieldgate Plaza due to residents claims of danger.  Candidates were asked about the process for safety on Shelburne's main roadway.  “The fact is, we are very limited on what we have control over…it really comes from the lobbying of the community,” said Shane Hall.  County Council Sub-Committee Attendance: Incumbent Steve Anderson, who is running for deputy mayor, was questioned on his attendance record at county sub-committee meetings – with some residents claiming he attended as low as 25 per cent of the total meetings.  “The DEI Committee that you're talking about…I actually had a conversation with the CEO and the concern about too many council members being at the meetings were making some of the individuals uncomfortable and the free-flowing conversations are not there. I made the decisions in consultation with the CEO that I would be one of the members of council that would not attend those meeting to allow the free flow of the session,” said Anderson.  He added, “I ask you to focus not so much on some missed meetings, but focus on my track record overall with the County and advocating on behalf of Shelburne.” For clarification, Anderson has attended almost all Dufferin County Council and Shelburne Town Council meetings over his 2018-2022 term. Deputy Mayor Candidates: • Steve Anderson  • Shane Hall  • Kurldeep Verma  Councillor Candidates:  • Jim Bates • Marcus Bennett • Walter Benotto  • Lynda Buffett • Kyle Fegan  • Sophia Geddes  • Len Guchardi  • Randy Narine  • Alethia O'Hara Stephenson  • Dan Sample • Vincent Lee Sterling  • Lindsay Wegener  The municipal election will take place on Oct. 24.  --------------------------------------------------- Images: --------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------- Post date: 2022-10-06 10:57:36 Post date GMT: 2022-10-06 14:57:36 Post modified date: 2022-10-13 12:02:40 Post modified date GMT: 2022-10-13 16:02:40 ____________________________________________________________________________________________ Export of Post and Page as text file has been powered by [ Universal Post Manager ] plugin from www.gconverters.com