Melancthon all–candidates debate very controlled

October 1, 2014 · 0 Comments

The new format for the Melancthon all-candidates debate September 29th, which mirrored those of the other Dufferin debates, was very controlled compared to the contentious debate of the last municipal election when Melancthon residents rallied against the mega mine. The watered down public interaction, consisted of written questions submitted by email ahead of time and audience members who arrived early enough to submit a written question. Questions were then selected and read by the moderator throughout the evening as he deemed fit. Ron Monroe is an excellent moderator, and certainly kept the event moving along, but, in the end, the new format only served to deflate the democratic spirit of the traditional town hall debate. The residents were never allowed to directly address the candidates and the concept of “debate” was completely lost in a revolving series of one minute speeches from the candidates.
The debates throughout the County have been hosted by the Greater Dufferin Area Chamber of Commerce and Dufferin.biz in partnership with the Dufferin Federation of Agriculture and the Greater Dufferin Home Builders’ Association. Shirley Boxem, Vice Chair of the North Dufferin Agricultural and Community Taskforce (NDACT) said she understood the format change as an attempt to “get away from the Provincial debates where specific issues took over the evening, or questions may not have been representative.”
All the Melancthon candidates were present for the debate, which took place at Horning’s Mill Hall from 7 to 9 p.m. The six Council candidates, including Alex Banks, Dave Besley, Wayne Hannon, Barton Malloy, Michael Swidersky and James Webster, entered the debate first, and separate from the two Mayoral candidates, current Deputy Mayor Darren White and first time candidate David Thwaites. Janice Elliot, the newly acclaimed Deputy Mayor, who did not join in the debate process, said in her closing comments that she would “look to Council to ensure the environmental and economic stability of the Township.”
The questions focused on future growth and development, protecting farmland, turbines, aggregate, and large garbage disposal. To the question:
Can Melancthon accommodate the forecasted growth in the Official Plan?
Dave Besley said, “Melancthon can accommodate, withstand, and should look forward to it. The biggest development in the next few years will be in agriculture – which is a good thing. I think of Melancthon as the bread basket of Dufferin County.”
Will you stand up to foreign and multi-national companies that seem to be allowed to do whatever they want?
Wayne Hannon replied, “We have to know what we want our community to be and plan for it. In the mega mine fight NDACT did the heavy lifting of land mapping that our Council should have done. We have to keep control.”
What are your thoughts on turbines and aggregate pits?
James Webster answered, “The Aggregate Resources Act (ARA) needs an overhaul. We need to fight for farmland. The Green Energy Act (GEA) is flawed, but I am hopeful that the Premier’s promise to review it will bring change.”
Mike Swidersky added, “Phase 1 turbines are half way through their contracts. We need to look ten years ahead and plan. I am totally against gravel on Class 1, 2, & 3 farm lands.”
How would you support being a Food and Water First Township?
Bart Malloy said, “We need to revitalize lands to make them more desirable for farming and keep the corporations out.”
What are your thoughts on Melancthon’s landfill site?
Alex Banks said, “We should keep it for future uses – possibly a recreation park.”
Both Mayoral candidates, David Thwaites and Darren White, said their leadership style was to “build consensus,” and their opinions on the given topics were, for the most part, in sync with the other. On the question:
What do think are the top issues to be addressed in Melancthon Township?
David Thwaites answered, “I am hearing division in the community; for or against turbines, for or against aggregate. We need to create positive energy to turn the focus to healing. Regarding turbines, he said, “Standing up and advocating to the Province will require a powerful voice.”
Darren White answered, “Local food initiatives, a fairer GEA, and continuing to seek a fairer ARA.”
Melancthon has been a ship in a tempest for many years. The citizens bailed water with relentless determination during the storm that was the Highland Companies and they continue to face the ruthless waves of wind power. These will not be the last greedy gales to batter the little Township rich with water, wind, soil and aggregate. Melancthon residents stand on coveted soil and can take nothing for granted. They need to find among the candidates a Mayor and Council with a trustworthy compass, skilled enough to navigate the deep waters of Provincial policies that allow callous corporations to be carelessly thrust upon rural communities. Janice Elliot encouraged residents to cast their ballot on October 27th, quoting, Walter H. Judd who said, “In a democracy, decisions are not made by the majority of the people. Rather, decisions are made by those who make themselves heard and vote.”