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Shelburne Free Press https://shelburnefreepress.ca/?p=9965 Export date: Tue Jul 23 14:13:22 2024 / +0000 GMT |
Wade Mills urges voters to challenge candidates Shelburne municipal candidate Wade Mills believes that it is “time for some fresh thinking” at Council. He says that although “the current Council has served us well…we have had the same group of people in office now for several years without any change.” He urges “all voters to test and challenge the candidates” and to carefully compare their platforms. “Make sure that we are not running only for the sake of holding office,” he says, “but that we have a vision, a purpose, and a direction behind our ambitions.” Mills has a 23 page on-line platform at www.wademills.ca clearly outlining his ideas – exemplifying his enthusiasm and dedication to shaping the future of Shelburne. Mills spent his early childhood in Alliston before his family moved to a farm in Mulmur Township where his parents still live. He is a graduate of Centre Dufferin District High school in Shelburne, has a degree in History and Political Science from Brock University, and a Law Degree from Dalhousie University in Halifax. He was the first recipient of the Nova Scotia Barrister's Society Award for Leadership. He says he and “his partner Meghan share a lively home with her three children, Zack, Zoey and Max, as well as our two dogs, two cats and one fish! “ After three years with a large Niagara law firm, Mills returned home to Shelburne to become a partner in the law firm of Timmerman, Haskell and Mills LLP. He is also a partner in a local property development company, Farm Lane Properties Ltd. Mills has taken an active role in the community, spending two summers coaching minor ball hockey, serving as a board member on the Shelburne Fair Board, and, most recently, accepted appointments to the Shelburne Economic Development Committee, and the board of Food and Water First. Mills has been politically active from a young age, assisting on a number of campaigns at the municipal, provincial and federal levels. He was elected to leadership roles including President of the Law Students' Society and feels these “practical experiences” combined with an undergraduate degree in Political Science provide him with many of the “hard skills” necessary “to understand how government operates at all levels, and what sorts of governance strategies can be implemented to ensure that they operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.” He says he has “a deep interest in people and a desire to make a difference and do good work” for the Town. “My roots are here in this community,” says Mills, “I have always had a strong desire to get involved and give back.” Mr. Mills provided answers to the following questions, his answers are, in some cases, included in part: What are your thoughts on the increased Council remuneration recommended by Ward & Uptigrove Consulting and Human Resources? “I first have to say that I have great difficulty with the inherent conflict of interest that exists when elected officials are permitted to determine their own rates of pay. It is true that an independent consulting firm has recommended this latest increase to Council salaries but that firm was ultimately hired by the same Council which will benefit from such an increase. We have no reason to question the fact that their findings are unbiased and independent but the optics are still poor. Other municipalities have created ad hoc committees comprised of independent ratepayers to make such recommendations and I find that a more acceptable approach – it would also save on the consulting fees! That being said, we have a recommendation in place and it appears clear that our current Council will defer any final decision on the matter until after the election. If elected, I will vote against any such recommended increase. One should seek elected office to serve the community and not to supplement one's income. I am not challenging the expert's findings but from a moral perspective, I believe that the current Councillor salary of $8,000 per year is fair compensation when the purpose of the office should be public service and not personal advancement.” What do you feel is an acceptable number of meetings for a member of Council to miss? “Ideally none. When the public puts their trust in you as an elected official you have a solemn and important duty to live up to…Clearly there are times in our lives where it is impossible to be everywhere at once, but when you offer your name for election you should be prepared to do the work that comes with it…” What do you see as the biggest challenge you will face as Councillor? As an individual Councillor I anticipate that my greatest challenge will be overcoming any reluctance to the kind of change I seek to implement….To neutralize those fears I will have to communicate clearly, justify my positions effectively, and lead with a sense of purpose. What is the biggest challenge the Town will face in the next term? As a member of Council, how would you specifically deal with this and/or other challenges? In a word, growth. Our town has experienced tremendous growth over the past few years and the same trend is expected to continue without pause into the foreseeable future. Our next Council will need to be innovative in its approach in order to mitigate the negative effects of growth while capitalizing on its positive opportunities. Firstly, we will have to create the most effective local government possible by ensuring that it operates in an open, accountable, and transparent fashion. Secondly, we will have to build the strongest community possible by ensuring that our town and our people are inclusive, engaged, and dynamic in nature. Thirdly, we will have to promote greater opportunity by ensuring that we support our local businesses, attract new employment opportunities, and market our town as a destination location. Finally, we will have to become more youth-friendly by ensuring that we give our young people a real voice, by offering them the opportunities that they need to excel, and by showing them that they can eventually build their own lives right here in Shelburne. These are the four priorities set out in my platform and these are the priorities that I will promote as a member of Council in order to address the challenges posed by our continued growth.” What changes would you like to see implemented for the Town by the end of the next term? “…The art of governing is often about compromise and setting priorities. With that I mind, my top priorities will be: • A Code of Conduct for Council • A Collaborative Long-term Strategic Plan • A Common Sense Plan for Safer Streets • A Commitment to Expand Parks and Recreation Opportunities • A Strategy to Attract More Employment • A Sustained Effort to Support Local Businesses • A Commuter Transit Solution • A Youth Advisory Council Mills hopes for “A campaign of ideas rather than a campaign based solely on name recognition, incumbency or popularity.” He says, “Shelburne is long over-due for a good and productive public discussion about our future.” By Marni Walsh |
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Post date: 2014-10-08 14:18:11 Post date GMT: 2014-10-08 18:18:11 Post modified date: 2014-10-15 14:01:39 Post modified date GMT: 2014-10-15 18:01:39 |
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