Candidates discuss election issues in Bergland

Ken Johnston
Editor

A couple of dozen people turned up Sunday afternoon to listen and question six candidates running for council and mayor in Lake of the Woods Township.
As one of the primary services the municipality has, it was evident that Recreation facilities are very important to residents there as many of the questions centered around them.
Resident Dwayne Lundgren asked if rumours that some candidates would close the skateboard park were true and if they would be willing to work with the park committee and users to pour a permanent pad in Bergland.
Council candidates Elizabeth Mitchell, Jody Gouliquer and Nancy Gate all expressed concern about the safe usage of the park and the safety of the equipment there. “I may have concerns but would like to work to bring the park up to standards (if necessary),” said Mitchell.
Gouliquer said she does not like rumours and does not listen to them. On the park she agreed with Mitchell and went a step further saying, “As long as it is up to standards, safe and good supervision and some training for the kids is available I am all for it staying open.”
Gate said she agrees with Mitchell and Gouliquer and said she would work on a permanent pad. (At present the equipment is portable and used in the outdoor ice rink area.)
Council candidate Tony Sepers said what the community has now, “Is miles above what we had before. There may be a few (safety) problems but we can work on them.” He said as long as there is continuing interest in skateboarding he would support looking at a permanent pad.
Mayoral candidates Bill Lundgren and Val Pizey echoed the safety concerns already cited with Lundgren citing liability concerns if someone were to get hurt. “I checked into it and no matter what kind of sign you put up (i.e. use at your own risk) we can get sued.”
Pizey said that the committee of volunteers have done a great job raising funds to date and, “We as council will continue to support them in their future efforts.”
Another question was posed on the future of the outdoor rink. There was some criticism about the fact that volunteers flooded the rink twice last year and that was the extent of the efforts to keep it up.
Bill Lundgren noted that last year the weather was not very good for natural ice since it was so mild. He also noted that many people he has spoken too are concerned about taxes being used to support the cost of recreational facilities.
Nancy Gate agreed the weather was not very good but noted that they did have ice for 2.5 months last year.
Val Pizey said, “We have to have a discussion as a community as to how much of the general taxes should be used for recreation. Do we want all volunteer run, some volunteer and user fees or all out of the general fund.”
Tony Sepers agreed stating that, “For years volunteers have looked after this. If there is a want or a will to pay for it out of taxes then we will do so.”
Elizabeth Mitchell noted that there are government grants out there to help run rec. programs and pledged to look into them if elected.
Concerns over the state of repair the Bergland boat ramp is in was raised.
Pizey said when it was put in no one anticipated it would be as well used as it is. “Again this is something we need to talk about as a community to see if taxpayers want to pay for (improvements there).
Parking is an issue there with very little being available at the ramp. Gate suggested that the old park there, which she says is full of poison ivy, should be, “bull dozed, gravel put in and made into parking.”
Mitchell said she would listen to people and do what she can.
Gouliquer said, “I would fight for it (the ramp to be improved).”
Lundgren said the township owns more land at the site and could make parking there.
Resident Dwayne Lundgren said, “I bet 99% of the people here don’t want their taxes to go through the roof.”
Resident Don Larson asked the candidates what their economic plans for the future contain and where they see the community in five years.
Gouliquer noted that area industries like logging and farming are in the decline. However, she hopes that under the guidance of the mayor she will be able to be productive in changing that. “My boys both left but I am hoping that one of them will come home and work.”
Sepers noted that development is ongoing through groups like the Rainy River Future Development Corporation. However, Sepers noted that one major stumbling block to the community securing a brighter future is the “jaded sinicism and helplessness. We need to get over feeling we can’t do anything. We need to be serious about doing something even if it is small.”
Mitchell said being inexperienced she would have to look at the potential options and feels as a group maybe they can do something to stop the out migrating of the youth.
Pizey noted that times have changed both in logging and tourism. Technological improvements have seen less need for workers when cutting wood or guides on the lake. “We have to look at other ways of promoting what we have got.”
She also suggested that the community needs more small businesses to open. She is hopeful that the new high speed internet set to come on line in mid-November will help with that.
Gate said, “If a company or industry doesn’t come in the next 4-5 years I don’t know what will happen here.”
Sepers suggested a town meeting to brainstorm ideas would be good. “A real meeting with real consequences.” He also noted that it is not just the council’s responsibility. “It is also up to the citizens and not just the leadership.”
A hypothetical scenario was presented to the candidates. What they would do if they suddenly had a $10 million gift.
Gouliquer said she would divide it out to all who needed it in the community.
Gate said she would do the same.
Mitchell said she would sit down with the public and discuss what it should be spent on.
Pizey said she would give all the taxpayers one year with no taxes and work on fixing things like roads and recreation facilities. “I would also like a beach front park too!”
Sepers said what he proposes doing wouldn’t cost anyone anything. “We need to quit fighting and love one another.”
Lundgren said he would spend the money on care for seniors in the community rather than having to send the elderly to Fort Frances.
The candidates were asked what they would do to promote tourism.
Mitchell said she already promotes the area to friends and family on a personal level. She would be willing to work the community on better ways to promote it.
Gouliquer said she already works hard to promote the Morson Bass International tourney and would continue to do so if elected to council as well as promote other industries like logging and farming.
Gate said she would work on making the community look better. “It is not attractive especially at night. I would like to see street lights go up, even if only four of them through town.”
Lundgren said as a councillor he helped the community work with the Morson Tourism Association on promoting tourism and he would continue that work as mayor.
Sepers said he would like to continue supporting groups and businesses. He would also like to see a bill board erected on the highway promoting all the tourist businesses in the community.
Pizey said she would continue with efforts to promote the industry and other aspects such as the new golf course and bird watching.
Mayoral candidates Lundgren and Pizey differed on opinions regarding participating in regional organizations such as RRDSSAB (District social services board).
Lundgren feels there is too much bureaucracy at RRDSSAB.
Pizey feels because it is a mandated organization from the province it is better for the community to be sitting at the table voicing concerns for Lake of the Woods. “I stood up for a helipad for us and not just for Rainy River, Emo and Fort Frances. We are the furthest away from an area hospital. We need to be there. DSSAB is not going away.”