On the issues – Week 2

Council size, ag diversification and economic development

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 second of three sets of results of a survey prepared and conducted by Gary Mooney.

These results are drawn 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 candidate’s 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.

This week, we present the answers to the second set of questions. (See chart). Check back next week for part three of the survey results.

Issue One: Which is closest to your position on council size and wards, given the following choices?
A. Maintain the status quo of 15 councillors in 10 wards.
B. Downsize to 10 councillors in 5 new wards, replacing the existing 10 wards.
C. Downsize to 9 councillors in 3 Electoral Wards, which overlay and preserve the 10 existing wards.

Issue Two: Some agricultural producers (wineries, farms) want to diversify to increase revenues by adding ancillary services (e.g. weddings, accommodations) which require rezoning. What position should council take?
A. Discourage diversification—producers should stay focused on agriculture.
B. Allow diversification, but subject to strict adherence to rezoning requirements and satisfying neighbours 100 per cent.
C. Encourage diversification, and support reasonable solutions to rezoning issues and neighbours’ concerns.

 Issue Three: Assuming the following two approaches to economic development/ job creation are being considered, which should council emphasize?
A. Build on current strengths— tourism, wineries, creative businesses.
B. Pursue light industry/manufacturing, offering higher-paying jobs.

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.