On the issues

Candidates’ views on nine County issues

Where do candidates stand on the issues that matter most to you? With 35 candidates vying for 16 council seats, it is more important than ever for County residents to know what those candidates intend to do once they are elected.

This week, the Times is presenting the first of three sets of results of a survey prepared and conducted by Gary Mooney.

These results are pulled from 27 questions posed to candidates. For the full survey and responses, go to pec2014acs.wordpress.com

The results provide a quick snapshot of the issues and of each candidates’ position. It is not meant to be a comprehensive airing of the issues, but rather the starting point of a conversation as candidates appear at your door or at events and meetings.

Eighty-three per cent of candidates responded to the survey, an increase of two per cent over participation in 2010.

Over the next three weeks, we will present candidate responses to nine questions. This week, we present the answers to the first three questions. (See chart). Check back next week for part two of the survey results.

Issue One: What will be your approach in making voting decisions on the most important issues coming before council?
A. Use my best judgment, taking account of input by constituents.
B. Reflect constituents’ views in preference to my own.

Issue Two: Two major municipal concerns are tax increases and County roads, which need extensive, costly work, sooner or later. Assuming no other financial concerns, which is closer to your view of taxes vs roads over the coming council term?
A. Hold tax increases to two per cent annually. Defer all but urgent road work. (Increase of eight per cent in taxes over four years.)
B. Roads need major attention now. Tax increases of five per cent annually,including three per cent for road improvements. (Increase of 20 per cent.)

Issue Three: What is your position on wind energy projects in the County?
A. Support wind projects here to help reduce global climate change.
B. Encourage wind developers re local benefits—jobs, taxes, vibrancy funds.
C. Maintain a hands-off position, as the municipality has no control.
D. Discourage wind developers, but accept existing provincial rules.
E. Fight wind projects along with local anti-turbine groups.
F. Fight wind along with local groups.

An asterisk denotes that the candidate qualified their answer with a comment.
Comments may be viewed, along with the full survey, including candidate profiles at: pec2014acs.wordpress.com.