Bob Rogers

Athol, Ward Five

A mechanic by trade and a farmer by choice, United Empire Loyalist descendant Bob Rogers has lived in the County for 49 years. He has owned his farm in Athol for 39 years and that is where he raised his children who still live and work here. Rogers holds a master shepherds certificate from the University of Guelph and chairs the County’s Agricultural Advisory Committee. He is also vice-chair of the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture and the president of the Prince Edward Rod and Gun Club.

He views affordable housing as a critical issue in the County. “We have a serious labour shortage, he said, noting that many young people cannot afford long-term rental accommodations if they are even available. “To address this and support local businesses, we must have more affordable housing.” Rogers said the situation could be improved by reducing property taxes on longterm rental units and by raising the maximum building height from five to 10 storeys in specific areas to double long-term rental stocks without doubling the footprint.

Rogers said the popularity of the County has created problems with tourism management, especially during the summers of 2020 and 21. “I feel that some measures taken … will need to be re-addressed as thing get back to a more normal state,” he said. “No one could have foreseen the impact of the pandemic or been able to plan for it. I think council did the best they could.”

The high cost of water is an issue that is both complex and universal. “The idea that councillors have no skin in the game on water rates is ridiculous,” he said. “All councillors have a vested interest in the well-being of all County residents. Many of the costs are because of provincial regulations over which we have no control.” But he added that the County should be getting a better deal for the water it purchases from Belleville.

Rogers said the County should also change its approach to the 72 per cent of residents who use septic systems or holding tanks that require regular pump-outs. “At present this septage is not being taken to the County’s treatment plants, so it is trucked to other municipalities for treatment or spread untreated. If this policy was changed and everyone in the County used the plants, the cost, maintenance and operations of them could be paid out of general tax revenues.”

On the issue of heritage, environmental sustainability, stewardship and protection, he said the next council should focus on environmental sustainability and sustainable decisions in all matters.

As for reducing the size of council, Rogers is strongly in favour. “A smaller council is necessary to increase the efficiency of government and decision-making,” he said. “We need to recognize the work of our citizens in the past regarding the size of council. Both, the question on the ballot in 2010 and the Citizen’s Assembly process clearly called for a reduction in the size of council.”