RR candidates speak to public about issues

Ken Johnston
Editor

About 30 people attended the RR Chamber of Commerce Meet the Candidates night last Thursday.
Lots were drawn and the candidates for council were brought into the meeting one at a time to answer four prewritten questions.
The questions were as follows:
1. Describe your vision of what Rainy River could be, and what steps you would take to reach that vision?
2. In order to be successful, a community needs a clear strategic plan. Describe the process you would follow to develop and carry out a strategic plan for Rainy River.
3. Accountability is vital for all elected officials and town employees. What steps would you take to ensure that accountability is an integral part of all town operations?
4. Infrastructure and services are vital to both the economic development and the quality of life in our community. If you are elected, what infrastructure and services will you focus on and why?

Two candidates for council did not attend Thursday. They are Dennis Ewald and Brent Anderson.

Gerry Marchuk
(incumbent)
1. “I have a broad vision for Rainy River. Ever since we lost the running trades I have believed we need to get a new industry for Rainy River. We need to get people working and encourage people to shop in Rainy River... if we don’t use it we will lose it.”
2. “We need more people in Rainy River. In 1993 I was part of a committee that studied retirement living. Many former residents are retiring and selling their homes elsewhere for $150,000-$200,000. They could get homes here for $50,000. If I get back on council I will get the (retirement living) committee going again.”
3. “I have been on the Public Works (committee) for the past 10-12 years. A lot of accountability goes with that position as 90% of our budget goes into public works.
4. “So many areas need upgrading in Rainy River. The park has gone down hill and let go. I pledge to work on all infrastructure needs.”
Heather Anderson
1. “I see Rainy River as a strong community. We need to work together as a team... and work with community groups like the recreation board, chamber of commerce and library. We have a safe community and I see that continuing. Council also needs to be business friendly and we need to encourage people to shop locally.”
2. “I assume the Mayor will play a major role in leading. Council needs to be on board (with the Mayor). It should be a high priority for council to have a strategic plan and have a process in place to ensure we are on track. We need to promote what we have here to increase the population base (i.e. attract people here using our strengths such as good health care with 2 drs., a rec. centre, beautiful park, clean air and lots of water).”
3. “Structures are in place to be accountable to the taxpayers. We are all responsible for actions and consequences good or bad. I believe in being responsible to the citizens and would promote open government; making decisions in open meetings. I take this issue very seriously.”
4. “The sewer project is the most important part of infrastructure needing to be addressed. We really need to get going on that before the problems get worse... the roads are also getting bumpy.”

Dean Wiersema (incumbent)
1. “When I came back (with my family) 12-14 years ago we looked at the opportunities the town offered us. In Kenora there was a lot of crime. Here everyone looks out for each other. However property values have been going down every year. We need to get people to retire here. Many my age are getting ready to do that. I don’t see Rainy River every having a Marvin Windows but small cottage industries with 2-3 jobs could work. Rainy River has a hospital, schools and the river; everything you need to live well! We have to have some of the cheapest serviced lots in Canada.”
2. “The town does need a strategic plan. It takes time and commitment to get things going. We may have to adjust that process and for now just get people here with our services. It will be a work in motion.”
3. “This is a tough one. As a manager at the mill in Barwick I deal with it all the time. Ground rules need to be laid out with what you will be held accountable to. We now have a town administrator on a contract position. At the end of three years town council can decide if they want to keep the town administrator.”
“Unless something major happens few people ever come to council meetings. We need more people to come and listen to council. If you are there you can let your voices be heard.”
4. “Infrastructure is definitely needed in the town. However, there are 40-50 available lots at this time that can be developed. The Ministry says we need to fix the lagoon problem before we can expand, but it doesn’t mean we can’t develop what we have already. Our water plant is operating at 40% capacity. We can expand the system and get more users paying to keep costs down. Water and sewer has to support itself. As the number of users go down the costs will go up. We need more people using the system.”
“Planning is important. When the highway was paved a number of years ago no one looked at the fact that the worst section of the town sewer system is under it. To fix it all the roadway will have to be ripped up. We need to look at the long term and not just do something because the money is available for it.”

Gord Armstrong
1. “We need to support each other. We need to support our local businesses. My home cost well over $100,000 to build. Recently had it appraised at $88,000. I lost $40,000 because the community is not healthy. Secondly we need to take action on schools. There used to be 350-400 kids here now 150-170. Council has to be a catalyst, getting all people to work together and make it happen.”
2. “We need to gather all the info. about the community, put it down in black and white and from there lay out a plan of what needs to happen. We also need to put the past behind us and look forward to the future saying ‘we can do this.’ Council needs to act as a catalyst by bringing groups together to lay the ground work so we can go forward.”
3. “Staff needs to be part of the entire planning process. They have a better understanding of what needs to be done than we do. Give them ownership and they will be accountable. We are in a critical situation here in Rainy River. We all need to work together. Council also needs to be accountable to the press and give good reports to the press so the public knows what council has done.”
4. “Sewer is the number one thing we need to attack. I think we need to have the Ministry of Environment here to review the situation again. We have made many improvements to the system. The numbers we are using are ten years old. If we go to Toronto with a good plan they will see we are open for business and be more apt to help us. We need to send a delegation to Toronto and convince them we are serious about the future. Our roads need a plan and we need to stick to it. Each year we need to keep our community looking good. If we beautify our town people would want to live here. If elected I will work hard on this.”

Marilyn McAlister
1. “The vast majority of people care about the town. We need to take advantage of what we have to offer such as bird watching. I feel we are sitting on top of a bonanza. With effort we can become the bird watching capital of Northwestern Ontario. We need to promote it. I also see a need for a nature centre/museum. Tourists love to visit such sites and will spend money in the retail sector. We need better signage (at entrances) and I would like to see better usage of the old highway directing people to the business section. We need to make this a destination with year round activities.”
2. “What we do at present reflects on our future. A scatter gun approach will not do. We need to see what can be done, do what we can to keep our present businesses viable such as maybe giving them a tax break. We need to use our quality of life to attract people.”
3. “There are two types of accountability: financial and personal. On financial I believe we need to be looking for the biggest bang for the taxpayers’ buck. On personal I believe in open communication. We need to set goals and stick to them. My door will always be open to discuss (things) with the taxpayers.”
4. “The sewer system must be addressed. It is my understanding that the system we have should be able to service up to 1,500 homes but we have less than a third of that on it. Why is there a problem? I understand some of it is changes in government standards but a big problem here is infiltration. If elected I will push for completion of solving this problem.”

For Mayor both candidates drew lots. They were given the same four questions and a little more time to answer them. Whomever went first was given a 1 minute rebuttal to the other candidate’s answer. Both candidates were in the hall at the same time.

Ed Tymkin
1. “My vision for Rainy River is that in the next four years we will see our population increase to 1,200. We can do it! I see a plant opening with 20 jobs and I see the River Range/life lease developing. In Northern Ontario we have 6% of the population of the province. By 2015 it will be 3%. Rainy River will reverse that trend. We will be growing and I intend to see that happen. I also plan to see student enrollments double. With contracts being signed now Mr. Jan Verhoef will make that possible. I give you my word that the markets are there for this. I will do everything I can to make that business (Globeco) open.”
“As for the retail sector one thing to do to help them would be to equalize water rates. We also need to work on making their taxes more affordable.”

Deb Ewald
1. “I see a community with good opportunities for employment. I see us as a leader in the district. We have all the services here and we need to bring people here. I certainly hope Globeco goes but it is only one part of it. We need to have a well rounded plan. Our Rec. Centre is in dire straits. We need to work together on retirement living, promoting tourism, but we all need to be on the same page. Before there was a lot of dissension on council. Let’s leave the past in the past and spend money responsibly.”

Ed Tymkin rebuttal
1. “Visions have been going on for a long time here so long that we lose sight of them. Yes retirement living should be focused on with all the lots available here. I suggest that all the town owned lots be given away with the condition that they be built on within two years.”

Deb Ewald
2. “When I was on council (the past three years) we started a strategic plan. With a group of citizens, councillors and business people we developed a plan but there was no political will on council to move forward with it. So like so many plans in the past it was shelved. I disagreed then and now with that move. We need a clear definable plan. Once we have one review to be sure it is carried out. That way when councils change the new council can be handed a document that they can adapt or change.

Ed Tymkin
2. “I agree with most of what you have said Debbie. But the problem is councils have planned, planned and planned and not done anything properly. For instance locating a plant (former Koneman Lumber) next to the farmers market and heritage square. We plan and then plan to unplan what we plan. As Mayor I will listen to people and do what they say.

Deb Ewald rebuttal
2. “The community has to be involved in the plan and we as council must have the will to see that it is carried out and stays on track.”

Ed Tymkin
3. “Accountability can be delegated, but responsibility can not. We have made mistakes in the past and people are responsible. If the staff screws up it still comes back to council. Those who elected are responsible. We have procedural bylaws that make us accountable. Unfortunately some councils have trouble following them. I am a stickler for procedure and as Mayor I will enforce the procedural bylaws.”

Deb Ewald
3. “Council is accountable to the taxpayers and town staff is accountable to council. In order for us to be accountable we need to plan. It is not our job to manage. We have a foreman and a clerk for that. We need to do job we are elected to do including developing budgets and not spending money on items like the new fire truck that are not budgeted for. We can’t be accountable if we make decisions from the gut. We need to have committee of the whole for our meetings so all councillors have the same information to make decisions.

Ed Tymkin rebuttal
3. “Everyone is accountable to the citizens and if they don’t like what we have done they can kick the son of guns out of office every four years. Yes there has been some bad decisions but who came forward to do the job. I am proud of past councils and feel they have done the best they can.

Deb Ewald
4. “The first priority has to be the sewer system. This council tried to do things to alleviate the problems. We started house inspections and we need to finish them (to stop infiltration). We need to get the Ministry of Environment to review the repairs we have made and tell us what we need to do. We have tried to get COMRIF funding twice and been turned down twice. Maybe we need to look at financing what needs to be done ourselves. After we get the sewer done the roads need to be paved. We need to maintain our recreation centre and library. I think more promotion of things like bird watching is a good idea. I would like to also see Assisted Living facilities in Rainy River. Perhaps we can look at converting the Riverview Appts. on Main St. to Assisted Living.”

Ed Tymkin
4. “It is a question of what we need and not what we want. On Sixth Street we need to install a pump big enough to get sewage to the lagoon. This pump has been sitting in the town garage for the past 15 years. I don’t know why it has not been installed. (Former water plant manager) Corrie Wiersema told me if we fix the lift station we don’t need a new lagoon. We may only need to spend the $5-600,000 we have in reserve instead of the $2.1 million. I also pledge to finish the infiltration study and the job done period.”

Deb Ewald rebuttal
“I don’t think all reserves should be put in one basket. Yes the money collected on the water/sewer bills is fine, but the rest of the money (from the sale of the hydro utility) is an asset.

Final remarks
Ed Tymkin
“Globeco will move forward. It will become the core of the town. We need industrial development.”

Deb Ewald
“There is a bigger picture than one plant. We have to be accountable and with good communication with our citizens we can all work on the same page.”