Standing room only

Local business owners seek integrity, transparency and accountability from Shire Hall

Agroup of local family-owned business owners who have concerns about the future of Prince Edward County met last week to share stories, discuss their troubles and carve a path forward. The group—aptly named PEC Makers—met at the Allisonville Elks Hall, and had more than 50 business owners in attendance. The group is seeking municipal government openness in the creation of the policies of good governance, integrity and accountability to the residents of the County.

Moderator Phil Adie welcomed guests and told them a little about his background. Adie moved to the County full time six years ago after a lifetime of sailing and vacationing here. His company, Wooden Horse Software Inc., provided field service mobility software for Fortune 500 companies prior to COVID. Now, he assists over a dozen local recognized PEC brands with digital services and recommendations for grant funding. Adie explained that the PEC Makers are local business owners, investors in the community, employers, civic leaders and philanthropists. “The PEC Makers are passionate about building a better future for Prince Edward County. We are busy making and often go unheard by municipal government,” said Adie.

Opening the speaking was Adam Busscher, owner and operator of Picton Home Hardware. Busscher grew up in Prince Edward County, and is the second generation owner of a business that has been in operation for 46 years. Busscher is concerned about the size of Prince Edward County Council, and even though it’s too late for any changes to be made prior to the October election, he is asking fellow business owners to make the size of Council an election issue. “Many would agree that even at 14, our Council is much too large for a municipality of our size. A large Council contributes to a lack of accountability and to prolonged and often difficult debate, which can lead to exhaustion and poor decision making,” said Busscher. “All members of council bring individual agendas, goals and visions to the table. The larger the Council, the more difficult it is to achieve cohesion amongst the councillors.”

Mike Amos talks about the County’s Strategic Plan during the PEC Makers open house held last Thursday evening.

During the 2010 election, a question regarding size of Council was added to the ballot. The results were an overwhelming support for a reduced Council. However, less than 50 per cent of eligible voters took part, and the results were not legally binding. In 2013 the Citizens’ Assembly was consulted on the size of Council and recommended a Council of 10 plus a mayor. Even with this, Council was still unconvinced that a ward boundary or Council size adjustment was necessary and no action was taken. Busscher questioned why, 25 years after amalgamation, the County is still using an unequal ward system and oversized Council. “ The question must be asked; As a business owner, do you operate your business the same way you did 25 years ago? Of course not. Businesses must adapt, modernize and improve to stay viable. Our Council must do the same,” said Busscher.

The next speaker called himself a serial entrepreneur. Mike Amos currently splits his time between running Eastern Ontario’s largest angel investment network, a successful property development company in the County and investing in, and advising, high growth software companies, typically in the business-to-business software space.

Amos spoke on the County’s Strategic Plan and how accountability can drive success. Amos said that the County’s plan ticks a lot of boxes, but fails to paint a clear, compelling picture of its future. “A member of the Board of my last company used to say ‘Hope is not a strategy’. The time has come for us to stop hoping and start transforming our community,” said Amos. “We believe that everyone deserves to love where they live. We need to get our community excited about where we are going together.” Amos explained that in 2016, the County established a 10-year strategic plan. In 2021, a consultant, Strategy Corp. was hired to go over the plan, and in 2022, Council put the plan on hold. “We are six years into a ten-year plan and we are saying we aren’t sure if it works anymore,” said Amos. “Our focus is often diluted by small issues brought fourth by mobilized, vocal interest groups. We often get side-tracked by matters that are seen as urgent, but in the long-term, not important at all.” Amos suggests that there are four main factors in creating a proper strategic plan. First is a clear, compelling, exciting vision of the future. Next is supporting goals and initiatives. Third is performance management with a focus on continuous improvement, and lastly a desire to bring everyone with you.

The last speaker was Don Wilford. Currently, Wilford farms hops and is on the local Green Party of Ontario executive.He was trained as a scientist, worked as an engineer, then a bureaucrat and, finally, as a venture capitalist. Wilford spoke on transparency and accountability in municipal finances. The PEC Makers want effective and responsible use of taxes collected from ratepayers. The group claims that readable financials enhance the perception of institutions being responsive to citizens’ concerns. Wilford believes the County’s budget process is in need of a revamp. “We ask staff to prepare what is essentially a shopping list for the next year and then we give Council a few days to review and approve it. I think it puts Council in an impossible position,” said Wilford. “The capital budget is a mishmash of big- and small-ticket items. It would be more readable if the top 10 expenditures were collected in one place so that justifications could be made in greater depth and council discussion focused on things that matter.”

Wilford asked whether the budget process had become a parody of accountability. “Bureaucracies think they should make decisions—with the help of consultants if needed—because they think they know best. Consultation with citizens and business people can get pushed to the margins and even shut out,” said Wilford. He finished by asking the group a number of questions. How can we encourage a local economy that can take knocks and recover? How can Shire Hall work with business people and community groups to ensure businesses survive in the face of economic downturns? How can we fend for ourselves, house ourselves, and feed ourselves? How can we encourage new family doctors to come to the County. How can we address poverty, lack of housing and shoulder some of the burden of protection services with volunteers as we’ve done with our volunteer Fire Fighters? “The times are changing—there are so many signals that are all too easy to ignore. I encourage you to think big and be bold. It’s not a time to simply sharpen your pencils.” said Wilford.

The PEC Makers will be hosting another meeting in the near future. It will also be circulating a survey. Check The Times for dates and survey information. For more information, please visit the PEC Makers Facebook page at shorturl.at/rtGK4