Author: PEC Buzz Admin

RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 1 – Picton are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 1 – Picton (2 offices)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Phil ADIE
Jane LESSLIE
Kate MACNAUGHTON
Peter MORCH
Phil ST-JEAN

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022.

Respondents

• Jane Lesslie

Jane Lesslie

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Going door to door regarding an issue in my neighbourhood a few years ago reminded me how important it is to listen. People need to be heard and public officials need to be responsive and accountable.

Have Your Say is a great tool to have people provide input on public policy in the County. I admire how it is also being adapted for other purposes – eg. To identify and map invasive species in the County.

We still need two-way communication. I feel a sense of frustration that recommendations are reached, Council is to decide and people have to jam in their comments in 3 minutes at very formal Council meetings that really do not lend themselves to an exchange of ideas. I also think it leads to frustration in the Community. We need to have more subject specific townhalls on key issues so that communication can be two-way. For example, I am advocating that a small finance subcommittee be established to conduct a thorough analysis of our past, present and forecasted spending. The next step should be a presentation of the findings to the community by the people on this committee. This would be a chance to discuss the mix of spending, why it exists etc. The Ad Hoc Water Rates Committee should be restruck and do something similar.

As a councillor I would also hold regular “surgeries” (as they call them in the UK) where you meet with constituents one on one. And group town halls.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I would be your full time Councillor. Picton is my full-time home. My experience as chair of the Environmental Advisory Committee to Council and serving as a volunteer at the County Food Depot during Covid, combined with my past work experience analyzing government finances, have given me plenty of ideas and inspired me to run. I believe my financial and economic background would be helpful skills at the Council horseshoe. And after more than two decades analyzing government finances, I came to understand that it wasn’t just a numbers game but how communities stacked up on their environmental, social and governance risks and strengths that led to sustainable societies. I want to work closely with the County Foundation who I believe are on the right track in this regard.

My priorities are:

1. Protecting our unique environment and strategies to address climate change. Working as chair of the EAC made me aware of the urgent decisions the County faces as we confront Climate change. The potential financial, economic, health and social costs can hit us hard. Climate change and other environmental risks are looming threats for a County with 800km of shoreline and a tourism industry reliant on it, where 25% of our economy is agriculture, where we are naturally drought prone, and where we have amazing but fragile environmental assets and where we have a larger older population who will feel the health impacts most acutely.
2. Diversifying our economy to encourage full time jobs in other sectors and year-round demand for our existing businesses thus expanding our tax base. Why not foster the green and blue businesses of tomorrow?
3. Affordable housing, strategies for primary health care and our young people are clear areas demanding attention. On healthcare we are in competition with other communities and we have to be among health care workers top choices given we are losing 10 family doctors to retirement between now and 2026. We need a closer working relationship with school trustees to help our high school students succeed and prepare for those jobs that our businesses are struggling to fill. Grants for skills upgrading for those already living here would help – eg. For local nurses who want to become nurse practioners.

Fact based decision, not reinventing the wheel and adopting best practices from other communities are the principles that guide me. I am committed to being accountable, approachable and available.

You can find more information at my website: www.janelesslie.ca

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider them too.

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Phil ADIE
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Jane LESSLIE
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Kate MACNAUGHTON
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Peter MORCH
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Phil ST-JEAN
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Jane Lesslie

Jane Lesslie

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Environment.

1. Develop a Climate Action Plan – and act on it- Our agriculture sector, tourism industry, the health of our older population; and our tax dollars are at serious risk from climate change.
2. Follow the Grey County Approach – We need to both Mitigate (reduce greenhouse gas emissions) and Adapt. Priority should be given to actions that do BOTH.
3. Set priorities – look for actions that give us the biggest bang for our tax buck.
4. A climate change lens should be applied to all policies, procedures and bylaws – to identify:
   1. risks
   2. funding support opportunities (eg. Green Municipal Fund)
   3. opportunities to introduce smarter processes.
5. Turn our Tree Policy into an enforceable Tree Bylaw and give it some teeth. There are plenty of sources of funding for trees – e.g. Highway of Heros Tree/Green Campaign (see my website www.janelesslie.ca or my facebook page for more info on the power of trees.
6. Our Wetlands are Workhorses – We establish environmental requirements for developments but neither the County nor Quinte Conservations have resources to verify that promised protection are implemented – this is a pantomime of protection.
7. Consolidate the Grass and Weeds and property standards bylaws. Environmental Advisory Committee and Agricultural Advisory Committee should collaborate to fight invasive species and noxious weeks. Stop promoting turf grass as the go-to option for lawns given its intense water demands, run off from pesticides and fertilizer and gas mower requirements, Encourage plant diversity to support biodiversity and pollinators.
8. Green (and Blue) our Planning process:
   • Encourage green building techniques (and support training in this growing job sector for local people through partnership with Loyalist College) and blue (greywater recycling) methods.
   • Change Quinte Conservation’s mandate for PEC so they can enforce our new 50 metre setback for wetlands
   • A new site alteration bylaw which includes limits on clearcutting and removal of natural habitats in the planning process.
   • We need a new bylaw on what constitutes a “complete development application”, and a checklist of what is required for Environmental Impact Studies (EIS) and Hydrogeological reports so all applicants are on a level playing field.
   • No more four rounds of EIS reports with Quinte Conservation – This is wasting PEC County Staff resources and times, Quinte Conservation’s limited resources and the applicants’ time – get it right at the get go.
   • For larger developments – get all key people around the table to ID what is needed at the outset to streamline the process and get to a yes or no faster – savings to everyone.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Strongly agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

Councillors should be accountable for their decisions. And information should be maintained so that members of the community can easily access/track information in order to assess their councillors during elections. We should also include a note when people are absent for votes – know if your councillor has a pattern of ducking hard decisions.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

I think the death of George Floyd in 2020 and the discovery of the graves of Indigenous children at former residential schools in the summer of 2021 in Canada both prompted me to ask myself if I really understood these issues. Talking with former colleagues who are people of colour after George Floyd’s horrific death really helped me to understand the extra hurdles and sadly outright aggression that was part of daily life for them. One very talented young colleague of East Indian background gave me a series of examples of encounters with police and the assumptions that were made about him before he had even opened his mouth to say a word.

Thanks to my work on the Environmental Advisory Committee I began gaining insight into the issues people of First Nations face through my fellow committee member, Nicole Storms, then the Environmental Supervisor for the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte. One thing that struck me was Nicole’s comment that so often First Nations people will end up in meetings with the Provincial government or Municipalities and before she could tackle an issue she would have to educate them about established treaty rights which the Federal government was aware of but had made no effort to communicate to other levels of governments. This has really created still an extra hurdle in the work of reconciliation.

I would also like to see a youth council developed so that the next generation of voters – who will have to contend with our slow response to Climate Change – have the opportunity to comment on draft County policies. They would be our “Futurists” and keep us focused on the longer term. For example, I would like to hear their recommendations about how we can help improve circumstances for students from the LGBT and BIPOC communities in the County. To do well our students have to feel safe and comfortable so this is critical.

My former employer began delivering diversity, equity and inclusion training 10 years ago on a regular basis with the last few years focused on unconscious bias which opened my eyes. This training will enhance my analysis and decision making. Heather McGhee’s Book, The Sum of Us, which I highly recommend, has also contributed to my thoughts about how government policies may perpetuate division and throw up roadblocks. I’m hoping my memories of my experience as the only woman in the room during the early part of my career in finance will also help me to be empathetic.

I want to ensure all people have access to me to bring their concerns, issues and perspectives. By looking at County policies and procedures, by encouraging the same kind of DEI training for Municipal staff that I benefitted from and encouraging diversity in our hiring practices where provincial regulation permits.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

None.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Jane Lesslie

Jane Lesslie

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action include calls to municipal governments that apply to County Council:

• to adopt and implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as the framework for reconciliation (CTA 43)
• to repudiate concepts used to justify European sovereignty over Indigenous peoples and lands, such as the Doctrine of Discovery and terra nullius, and to reform those laws, government policies, and litigation strategies that continue to rely on such concepts (CTA 47)
• to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal-Crown relations (CTA 57)

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Strongly agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

I was lucky to have Nicole Storms, then Environmental Supervisor with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, as a technical advisor to the Environmental Advisory Committee which I chaired. One of the richest conversations I had with here was on the subject of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s recommendations and what had become of them. She noted that the federal government has left it up to the First Nations’ themselves to educate provincial and municipal governments about the treaty rights that First Nations’ peoples have, an example being the duty to consult. She would find herself in meetings to discuss issues with the provinces or municipalities only to discover they had no idea that these rights existed. The Municipality has a “Duty to Consult” with First Nations when it comes to developments touching shorelines and thus potential fishing rights. The Mohawks of Bay of Quinte have complained about our planning process and the very short turnaround times they are given by our Planning Department, inconsistent with their staff size and resources. This again is an area where we need to create a planning checklist template and the early round table consults on large projects that Brighton had adopted and that one of our committee members had been impressed with in her work with Lower Trent Conservation. More broadly, the County should seek out “coaches” such as Nicole to ensure both municipal staff and council have an understanding of where such obligations lie.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

I side with former Washington Post editor Bob Woodward who has employed the phrase “Democracy Dies in Darkness.” Transparency lies at the heart of governance, government and democracy. At a time when trust in government is being attacked from so many angles we have to be vigilant about maintaining public trust. I have no doubt we could find volunteers with a technology background to assist our municipal government with such an initiative.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Jane Lesslie

Jane Lesslie

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

I have a licensed STA in my home – i.e. I rent out the lower level of my house in Picton that I live in full time. (I do think conflicts should delineate a whole home STA from other varieties.)

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree

I believe these conflicts should be included as attachments to Council agendas when there are Items on the agenda relevant to a conflict that are under discussion in the interest of transparency and governance. Committee members – public and councillors – must be equally diligent in terms of declaring conflicts with similar treatment.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Neither disagree or agree

I would require clarification as to where on the relationship line this would end? We have families who have been here for generations and thus are extended. Don’t want to them up in knots. What about non familial relationships? I would note that I have no family in the County so this has no immediate impact on me.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

Tourism Management.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

I recognize that tourism is both a blessing and a curse from the perspective of the community, that at times it can seem to undermine the quality of life we enjoy here. At the same time, I’m very concerned about the cost of living in the County and I know that service industry positions are not the best paying, particularly when they are seasonal. I would like to see no promotion of tourism in the summer but instead would like to encourage shoulder/off season tourism in order to support people’s jobs and incomes. But I also know the reaction of many will be “no more tourism, we have to have some part of the year where we are not feeling this pressure”. I do not believe we would see anywhere near the intensity in off seasons that we experience in summer so that is one mitigating factor. In addition, I want to see us encouraging non tourism business here in the County which would provide people with more income security and provide additional support for our existing businesses. I also think this should be done as a risk management measure given the risk we currently have from being so dependent on one industry in our economy. Witness Covid in 2020. I would like the County to lobby Queens Park to permit us to spend funds from the Municipal Accommodation tax supporting affordable housing as opposed to promoting tourism as the province dictates we must.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I would vote to deny this application for the following reasons:
1. It is inconsistent with the strategic goals of the County re: maintaining our rural and historical heritage and reducing the impacts of climate change – as well as our economy and our financial stability given the attendant risks.
2. It was incompatible with the then existing official plan or the then circulating draft official plan.
3. Through cruise ships and container ships the quality of our drinking water was at risk, as was our sport fishing industry. Similarly the community was not entitled to know/inspect the contents of containers thus our ability to identify risk was impeded.
4. The quality of environmental documents was poor and the proponent provided inadequate responses to peer review questions except to say they would “take care of it”. The proponent had a poor track record managing environmental risk that had already cost taxpayers considerably. We were asked to assume all of these risks for little economic upside -three permanent local jobs.

The Official Plan which came into effect in July 2021 will be eligible for amendment as of July 2023. We must ensure no amendments can be included which would permit this project to proceed. I would also like to better understand how planning staff came to recommend in favour of this project so we may review/improve our planning procedures to ensure this does not occur again.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Jane Lesslie

Jane Lesslie

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

My concern does not lie with the individual initiatives (thus my neutral rating on all of them) but the lack of joined up thinking! The question for each initiative is how does it further the strategic priorities, identified at the beginning? Only Tourism management identifies the strategic initiatives that it supports. To illustrate: As each bylaw is reviewed it should be tested against the seven strategic priorities – does it further them? And we need to consider how they interact with one another! Our Short Term Accommodation and Municipal Accommodation Tax policies must be viewed in the context of our affordable housing shortage. Since STAs have pressured our local housing affordability and supply, the MAT tax should go to supporting the development of affordable housing. This will require an activist Council demanding this change from Queens’ Park which dictates all funds go to tourism. I don’t think the County lacks for tourism?

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Climate and Environment
There is no strategic initiative that directly addresses the risks and costs we face from climate change and other environmental risks. Peterborough has budgeted $4 million to cope with the affects of Emerald Ash Borer, Kingston $6 million. The County spent $1.7 mil on flooding impacts on municipal property alone in 2017. Heat waves will affect both the crops we are able to grow. French vineyards have seen their entire production wiped out due to high temperatures. Are our wineries not facing the same risks? What are the threats to our agriculture community from environmental sources? Bylaw and policy reviews should pass through a climate impact lens.

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Responses to Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• None.

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Responses to Invitation 1

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents to Invitation 1

• None.

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RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 2 – Bloomfield/Hallowell are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

Note: Candidates’ responses to Invitation 8 are due October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022.

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 2 – Bloomfield/Hallowell (2 offices)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Sarah MOFFATT
Brad NIEMAN
Phil PRINZEN

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022. Candidates who responded to Invitation 7 and seem likely to respond to Invitation 8 are denoted with an asterisk below.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

As councillor I would aim to be as approachable and accessible as possible. This means that I would be open to contact with the constituents in whatever way they are most comfortable with, whether that be over the phone, email, social media, or in person. I would use a council social media account to get information out over Facebook and Instagram. I would also like to see the use of regularly scheduled town halls so that I could check in with Ward 2 residents and hear directly from them what they feel should be happening at council.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

Hi everyone, my name is Sarah Moffatt and I am running for council in Bloomfield/Hallowell. I grew up in Trenton and now live in Bloomfield with my fiancé Dan. I have a master’s degree in psychology and began my career as a psychotherapist, I now practice social work. My work sees me having to be an expert in a variety of fields such as the legal system, criminal justice, healthcare, mental health care, the school system, and accessibility to other community services. My job allows me to clearly see what is needed in our community and identify where the gaps are. I really care about helping others and I have devoted my career around this.

My work is what motivated me to run. I see firsthand how many people in our community are struggling. The County has a reputation for being an affluent community but there is a large portion of people here who live paycheck to paycheck. I worry that the more vulnerable populations such as seniors and low-income families don’t currently have a voice at the horseshoe and may fall between the cracks.

The other motivating factor for me was the lack of diversity on council. I am not saying that the current council members don’t belong there, everyone brings different strengths. However it’s disheartening as a woman to see only two women on a council of 14. I would like to see our council be a more accurate reflection of our community, and that means having a range of ages, genders, cultures, and backgrounds represented.

My priority issues are affordable housing and healthcare recruitment. House prices in the County are 25% higher than in Belleville and Quinte West and many local residents have been priced out of their own community. Although housing is needed I am worried about the urban sprawl creeping into our agricultural land. A focus on building higher-density rentals in the urban areas would create the 1-2 bedroom units we desperately need, and would lead to a more walkable community with people living closer to amenities.

In terms of healthcare we need to get creative. The municipality should look at incentives such as office space, scholarships, or subsidized housing for healthcare professionals. We could also use more modern services such as tele-health to fill any remaining gaps. We need to see movement in this area immediately. The County has a median age of 56.8, this is 15 years older than the rest of the province.

I have heard repeatedly that residents feel disconnected to their council. I am a hard worker who will promise to make myself available to the constituents and ensure they feel heard. I promise to make decisions that are in the community’s best interest. Most importantly I am offering the residents a choice. As the only non-incumbent who is running in Ward 2 I am offering voters an opportunity for change and a fresh perspective.

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Phil Prinzen

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

I would continue to support the have your say platform and would be accessible on my social media platforms (Twitter/instagram) as well as by phone/text and email. Town halls are very good as well although I didn’t do any this last term due to the pandemic. I feel great public engagement happens at events and outings that we attend even if it’s not an official council event.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I was born and raised in PEC and have called PEC home for my entire life which has allowed me to see and be part of the many changes both good and some maybe not so good. I am married to Selena who was also was born and raised in PEC. We are blessed with 2 beautiful girls who love living here. We are dairy farmers who get to work together every day to run our successful operation on Gilead Road. I am a volunteer firefighter and also a 4-H leader. I feel it is very important to give back to the community you live in.

I have chosen to run for re-election as I believe that I still have a lot to offer for the residents of Ward 2 and PEC as a whole. My first term was a very enjoyable although very different than anyone expected due to the global pandemic. I believe that I bring a common sense approach to meetings and feel like I represent county residents and businesses very well.

The issues facing PEC that are important to me are housing, health care, protection of land and resources and fiscal responsibility. This community needs to be a place that people can afford to live and I have made many decisions with that in mind. Housing is still a major issue and it will take many small steps to tackle the problem. We need to work with all layers of government to fix the crisis. It’s not something we as a municipal council can do on our own. I will continue to support healthcare whether it’s through doctor recruitment programs or support for our new hospital – a community will never survive without healthcare. Land protection and natural resource protection is important to me as we need to work with developers to strategically place new housing developments as our premium land is becoming scarce. I will continue to listen to all the residents and businesses of PEC and hope to represent them for another 4 years around the horseshoe.

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were also asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider their ratings alongside their explanations.

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Sarah MOFFATT
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Brad NIEMAN
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Phil PRINZEN
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Transportation & mobility.
Council introduced the County Transit pilot project in August 2020. This saw the implementation of both fixed bus routes and on-demand service. This was a need in the County and this project is a step in the right direction. My only concern regarding this program is that many in our community don’t know that it exists. As this is a pilot project the data regarding number of riders will be used to justify whether this project continues. I worry that the data may inaccurately show low interest in the program due to lack of education and promotion of the bus service itself. This pilot project was also run during the pandemic and that should be kept in mind when analyzing the data. As the County is a large geographical area and a car-reliant community, I would advocate for the continuation of the County Transit program to ensure that everyone has equal access to transportation and can get to where they need to be in a cost-effective way.

If elected to council I would also like to move forward with increasing the amount of bike lanes throughout the County. This would follow recommendations made in the Cycling Master Plan and the County’s Official Plan. Not only would bike lanes encourage green, active transportation, but would also keep the roads safer for cyclists and motorists alike.

While door knocking in the Heights and the Pineridge Drive neighbourhoods I had several people point out that although they live within walking distance to the Picton core, the lack of sidewalks connecting them leads to a potentially dangerous walk into town. These neighbourhoods feel isolated from the rest of the town and I have heard stories of some people falling and injuring themselves. I would like to see sidewalks added so that we can have a safe, walkable community, and move towards decreasing our reliance on cars.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Neither disagree or agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

I am all for doing whatever is possible to help increase transparency and accountability; however, I worry that if there was a blanket policy that stated all votes needed to be recorded this could create inefficiencies. I believe that the current process of having council members request a recorded vote is working well, particularly during more divisive topics. If voters disagree and feel that more needs to be done then I would be open to looking into this further.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) work is something I am passionate about. I practice social work and am employed with Children’s Aid. As many know, child protection agencies across Canada have a dark past in perpetuating systemic racism. As we move toward Truth and Reconciliation the field of child protection has taken steps to educate all employees regarding the over representation of BIPOC children in care and how we can better support and serve these communities. I am on the EDI committee at my workplace and also completed a full three-day training course devoted to EDI learning.

It was through my EDI work that I became motivated to run for council. When I looked at the picture of the current sitting council I felt that the group lacked diversity and it did not accurately reflect the makeup of the residents living here. I was concerned that minorities, women, and other under-served populations did not have adequate representation and therefore lacked a voice at the horseshoe.

If I am elected to council I would love to see an EDI committee started. The discussions at council regarding the removal of the Sir John A MacDonald statue demonstrated that there is a significant need for this type of learning and conversation to be frequently happening with those making decisions on behalf our residents. A thriving community ensures that all residents are supported. EDI work helps to identify potential barriers that some members of our community may face, and help to eliminate or overcome them so that everyone is provided with the same opportunities. I want Prince Edward County to be a place where all residents feel welcome and proud to call this their home.

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Phil Prinzen

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

NA
I don’t feel that I have taken the adequate time necessary to study and review the vital signs report to give a fair and honest answer to this question.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Disagree.

3. Please explain your rating.

I feel that not all decisions need a recorded vote. There are many that are unanimous and therefore would just make the meetings prolong. I like the idea that a councillor can call for one if they want it on the record. Since all meetings are recorded I would suggest that the members of council put their hands up higher for better visibly on the streaming and then the public can see how their councillor voted.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

I am always trying to learn and expand my knowledge about everything including diversity, equity and inclusion. I do this by reading and talking to people. I have always thought of all equally and will continue with that and that we should make policies that don’t exclude anyone.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

• Phil Prinzen

Phil Prinzen

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Planning and development services
I believe that must of the user fees are where they need to be except for planning and development but I also think that there have been some changes in that department and the way they do their business that will lead to improvements in the user fees so it’s not such a bearing on the municipality.

I also think that although we get compared to Norfolk and West Nippising we are still unique in who we are and we have to be careful on comparisons.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Brad Nieman
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Strongly agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

I firmly believe that it is the responsibility of all levels of government to take active steps towards Truth and Reconciliation. I am particularly interested in Call to Action #57:

“57. We call upon federal, provincial, territorial, and municipal governments to provide education to public servants on the history of Aboriginal peoples, including the history and legacy of residential schools, the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, Treaties and Aboriginal rights, Indigenous law, and Aboriginal–Crown relations. This will require skills-based training in intercultural competency, conflict resolution, human rights, and anti-racism.”

If I am elected to council I would advocate for an Equity Diversity and Inclusivity committee that would be used to discuss such issues and provide training and education to county council and staff. I believe that an effective EDI committee would meet this Call to Action and could also be beneficial in identifying and addressing the needs of other marginalized populations in our community.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

Although I have participated fully in these weekly surveys since they began, I will have to pass on this question. My priority at this time is door knocking to meet the voters and hear what matters most to them. Researching the costs and benefits of the questions you posed would take time away from having conversations with voters and answering other survey requests. However if anyone feels passionate about this topic and would like to discuss it further with me please do not hesitate to call me at 613-813-2361.

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Brad Nieman

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

The conversation has to get started and the County could be a leader in this.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

(a) Everything is computerized, and it wouldn’t take a lot of time to keep updated on the inquiries, dependent on the number of inquiries, then when someone inquires it is readily available.

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Phil Prinzen

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

Anytime you are able to educate or expand on Truth and Reconciliation it is a benefit.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

It is a very hard question to answer when you are not given all the details of costs against requests or benefits. I don’t like to give my opinion when all the information isn’t given.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Brad Nieman
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

None.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

I agree that any time someone uses their position of power/authority for their own personal gain that is a significant concern. Council members should not use the influence of their office for any purpose other than the exercise of their official duties. Not only would this ensure ethics in local politics, but it would also increase the public’s trust in their elected officials. My only hesitation with this would be that Prince Edward County is a small community with a lot of close-knit connections. It would be challenging to define non-pecuniary interests when most councillors are so heavily involved in the community and wear a variety of different hats.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

I believe it is important for the public to trust that their elected officials are making decisions that are best for the community and not guided by what would most benefit their friends and family. However, once again the difficulty lies in the application of any such Code of Conduct. How are we defining a “friend” in a small community where everyone knows everyone? At the very least expanding the Code of Conduct to address other family members would be more practical and would likely have less grey area.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

To be honest I haven’t had that many difficult questions. While door knocking I have been asked questions related to affordable housing, STAs, healthcare, infrastructure, and the environment and these all lead to great discussion. I may have a better answer to this question following the two all candidates meetings scheduled in Bloomfield.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

As above.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I would uphold council’s 2020 decision. I have heard significant concerns from the residents in the area regarding the environmental impact such traffic could have on Picton Bay and the community’s drinking water.

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Brad Nieman

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

Anything that is covered in the Municipal Act.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Neither disagree or agree

[No elaboration]

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Neither disagree or agree

[No elaboration]

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

Questions concerning the pandemic and the way it was handled.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

Because most of the direction came from upper levels of government.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I would need all of the information made available to me in order to make an informed decision.

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Phil Prinzen

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

I don’t foresee any that I would need to declare on as of right now although it is every council member’s responsibility to declare if they believe they have one.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Disagree.

I disagree as I feel there is not a financial personal gain on a non-pecuniary interest.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Disagree.

I don’t believe it is a pecuniary conflict of interest if it is not closely related. If you do then maybe you should declare on friends too.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

The questions I get asked at the door I will not be sharing on a public forum. That’s between me and the residents.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

[See above]

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I denied it the first time and would continue to deny it if I received the same information as I did at that meeting.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Brad Nieman
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Tourism Management
I feel dissatisfied with how this has been managed the last two years. There have been reactive bylaws put in place as a result of the high number of tourists that came here in 2020. However, many of these bylaws have hurt our own residents; such as the $400 parking fines throughout the county, and the bylaw regarding people utilizing trailers on their own property. The parking fines in particular go against the County’s own Official Plan that states a goal of increasing access to the waterfront for residents, these fines did the opposite of that.

Healthcare Initiatives
Although I appreciate the fact that The County now has a full-time healthcare recruiter, I am left wondering why this is only happening now. Belleville and Quinte West have had physician recruiters for several years now. The doctor shortage could have been anticipated with the upcoming retirements and proactive planning should have occurred before this turned into the crisis it is now. We are also in the process of building a new hospital but are lacking the healthcare professionals required to staff it. Through my talks with community members I have heard numerous people say there is a need for an after-hours walk-in clinic.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Adapting to Climate Change
Not enough has been done to protect our environment. Through my campaigning I have met with residents who feel The County is not doing enough to protect our trees, water, and even spaces that are already deemed Environmentally Protected Land (see the proposal for the Adolphus Reach Resort). The lack of bike lanes and reliable public transportation also results in a community that is reliant on cars.

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Brad Nieman

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Downtown Revitalization
It is not being looked after as far cleanliness and the maintenance of the vegetation.

Housing Corp
It has been 5 years and nothing tangible to show for it. They now have projects ready for construction, which shows we are moving in the right direction.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Roads network
Have a continuous 5 year plan for the road construction.

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Phil Prinzen

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

I won’t just answer 2 of my ratings. I am comfortable saying I am satisfied with them all as I feel we are moving in the right direction and we need to let things play out for a bit to see the true effect. It has been just over 2.5 years with these and I feel it would be to soon to adjust or make a change. Should be explored every 4-6 [months] is my feeling.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Don’t feel anything missing right now.

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Responses to Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Community & Economic Development Commission
2. Accessibility Advisory Committee
3. Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Community & Economic Development Commission
I have worked at Highland Shores Children’s Aid for the past 6 years. In this job I work with children and families who rely on the support of social and community services. I am able to directly see what programs are most beneficial to our community members, and I can also identify where the gaps in service are. I am a strong advocate for programs that can help lift people up and support our most vulnerable. Since I work directly with a large part of the population that would be utilizing community services I could act as a liaison to collect feedback regarding what is working and what is not. I would ensure that community programs are tailored to the needs of our residents and those who would benefit most from these services. I worry that low-income earners and families are forgotten about around the horseshoe, I would ensure that they have a voice and that their needs are taken into consideration. Although I may not have a background in business I have a vested interest in seeing our community thrive. Local businesses are a crucial part of our economy, job market, and community identity. Small business owners are also our friends and neighbours, I want them to feel confident that they have someone standing up for them and their interests.

Accessibility Advisory Committee
Working through an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity lens is a passion of mine. I have been an active member of the EDI committee at my workplace for 2 years. The purpose of this committee is to ensure that everyone is provided with the same opportunities and that any barriers are identified and removed. This role sees me educating and providing awareness of EDI-related topics to all the staff at my workplace. I have also been a board member for Adam’s Hope, a local charity focused on supporting families with children with autism. Through this work I saw the numerous challenges that children with health conditions or impairments had to face. I would like to carry on this work by being an advocate for all of those in our community and visitors to the County by making sure they get an equal opportunity to experience all that this area has to offer. A crucial part of this committee is getting the voice of the people this would impact the most and ensuring they are included in the process.

Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation
I have been working in the social service field for 9 years. Every day I see the direct impact of the housing crisis – I have witnessed families living in tents, trailers, or in their friend’s living room. I know how hard it is to afford suitable housing on a fixed income such as OW, ODSP, or CPP. The CMHC defines affordable housing as rent/mortgage that costs less than 30% of a household’s income. When I help my clients look for rentals I can clearly see that there is nothing available that would meet this definition of affordable on their income. I see families being priced out of their own homes with nowhere to go. Waitlists for social housing can be 6+ years. Through my workplace I have worked collaboratively with housing services such as Lennox and Addington Social Housing, the Community Advocacy and Legal Centre, and Habitat for Humanity. I am well aware of the services that are currently available and the areas that need improvement. I am working the frontline with a large portion of the population that would be utilizing this service. I have an active pulse on what is needed and will be a strong advocate for those in need of affordable housing.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

Low voter turnout is not an issue that is unique to the County. According to the Association of Municipalities Ontario the average voter turnout across the province for the 2018 municipal election was 38% and this has been a downward trend for the past several elections. What I hear from people both locally and provincially is they feel it is difficult to find information about the candidates and their platforms. There are limited media sources that compile profiles and information regarding each candidate where an elector can easily access it and compare. When voters feel uninformed it is easy for them to become uninterested in the election as a whole. There is also a theory that the low voter turnout could be the result of voter fatigue – once again in 2022 we see a municipal election closely follow a provincial one (and it was only last year that we also had a federal election). It is unfortunate that voter turnout is the lowest for municipal elections because this is also where people’s votes hold the most power.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I found myself disinterested in local politics as a youth. This was due to the feeling that politics wasn’t for me or my demographic. I didn’t see myself reflected in the range of candidates – partly due to age but also gender. At the time the candidates didn’t seem interested in making the effort to reach out to and engage with younger voters. This may account for why voters age 18-29 have notoriously low voter turnout for municipal elections. Even still, female candidates are the vast minority. The Association of Municipalities Ontario states that only 27% of candidates in the 2018 election were female. It is difficult to feel engaged in politics when you look at your potential representatives and can’t imagine how they would represent you or your needs.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

1. The first step in creating a solution to any problem is identifying why the problem exists in the first place. For example if there are barriers such as lack of transportation that are preventing people from getting to the polls then coming up with a solution such as free bus service on election day would help to eliminate this barrier. If work schedules have been a barrier to some the County offers advanced and now online voting methods for this year’s election.
2. Candidates need to be doing all they can to engage with a variety of different demographics in different ways. Try to engage them in their preferred way such as face to face, email, social media, phone, etc. Target youth and get them interested in politics early by doing information sessions at schools or youth programs such as the ROC, or utilizing programs such as the Hour for Hour challenge the purpose of which is to get high school students involved in civic activities for volunteer hours.
3. I have heard people say that they don’t understand the format of council meetings or the language used and they feel this is a barrier to being involved in council meetings. This can lead to apathy in the municipal process. Electors may also feel that if they don’t understand council and the role then they may not feel qualified to promote someone to this position. Helping educate the public regarding municipal roles and proceedings can help them feel more comfortable with reaching out to their member of council or participating in meetings.
4. Forums such as this weekly questionnaire that Paul Allen is putting together can help to compile responses in one easy-to-access location. Voters then have the opportunity to clearly see the candidates’ responses and compare them. This addresses the concern identified in question 4 regarding voters feeling they don’t have enough information to make an informed decision.

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Phil Prinzen

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee
2. Planning Committee
3. Hastings/Quinte Emergency Services Committee

Agriculture and planning would be the internal committees and Hastings/Quinte Emergency Service Committee would be the external committee that would most likely showcase my skills although there are a number of others that interest me.

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.

I was on the agriculture committee as well as planning this last term. I work, volunteer and live in agriculture everyday and understand the risks, threats and importance of it for our community. For planning after being on the committee and recognizing the importance of good solid planning I think it works hand in hand with agriculture. Emergency service is important and I believe that being on the fire department I understand the importance of the emergency services.

3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

I hope to be a sensible voice and provide sound opinions to share with all of council before decisions are made.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

I think there is a disconnect between residents and municipal politics. Whether they believe they aren’t being heard or cant make an impact they just decide not to vote.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I have always voted. I have never nearly decided not to vote.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

I encourage every person I talk to on my campaign trail to get out and vote. I would hope the other candidates are doing the same.

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Responses to Invitation 1

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County are being invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents

• Sarah Moffatt
• Brad Nieman
• Phil Prinzen

Sarah Moffatt

1. How long have you resided in the County?

I am from Trenton and have lived in this area for over 30 years. The county has been my second home for the last few years but I made it official in 2021.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

I moved to Bloomfield last year and already feel a deep connection to the community.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

NA.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

NA.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

Community service has been a commitment ingrained in me since I was a teenager. It is unclear to me why the question of volunteer work is centered around the current term of council as volunteer work doesn’t follow terms, it is typically something that is ongoing. Throughout the past several years I have been on the board of directors for the G. May Project, a local charity focused on supporting child victims of sexual abuse; and I was on the board of directors for Adam’s Hope, a local charity raising money to help families who have children with autism. I have also worked for and remained involved with The Children’s Foundation. The Children’s Foundation offers a wide range of programs and services to local children and families in the area such as sending children to camp, providing cribs to new mothers, and ensuring every child has gifts and a proper meal at Christmas through the Angel Tree program.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

There is a growing “us versus them” mentality in the county and I worry that questions such as these only further the divide. How do you define “old” and “new”? Take my circumstance for example, I have lived in this area for 30 years but only just recently moved to Bloomfield – Would I be classified as old or new? Trying to label people only leads to assumptions at best and xenophobia at worst.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

As I cannot get inside of a sitting councillor’s head I cannot say for sure what influences their decisions, to provide an answer would be making an assumption on my part that would not be fair. This question also generalizes council as a whole. Although there may be some councillors who are influenced by “new” or “old” residents, there may be an equal number of sitting councillors who are not. We need to recognize that each member of council is an individual that is motivated by their own personal values and beliefs.

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

See above.

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

As noted above I could be seen as both “old” or “new” depending on who you ask. My hope is that this dual perspective could help me bridge the gap and help people recognize that whether old or new residents we likely all have common goals for what we want to see happen to our community. Ideally I would like to see us forgo this divisive type of language altogether and recognize that we are all county residents. As councillor I would represent all of my constituents equally, whether they have lived here for generations or just moved in yesterday. A divided community is not one that can flourish.

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Brad Nieman

1. How long have you resided in the County?

45 years.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

32 years.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

Councilor Bloomfield/Hallowell. Agriculture, Traffic, Hiring, Prince Edward Lennox Addington Social Services, Waste Services, and Bloomfield/Hallowell Recreation Committees.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

Councilor Bloomfield/Hallowell. Agriculture, Waste Services, Audit, and Bloomfield/Hallowell Recreation Committees.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental oganization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

None.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

No comment.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

No comment.

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Phil Prinzen

1. How long have you resided in the County?

43 years (entire life).

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

43 years.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

Councillor. Audit, Planning, and Agriculture Committees.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

[No response]

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental oganization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

4-H Ontario as a leader. Also volunteer firefighter with Station 6 (not sure if that is non-governmental). Meals on Wheels.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

I understand it and would like to think it has lessened in the last few years. But also feel that it went both ways. Old didn’t like the new and the new didn’t like the old and their ways.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

I believe the role we have is to make the best decisions for the residents of the county as a whole and not think of people as new and old. Which I like to believe is what I do.

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RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 3 – Wellington are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 3 – Wellington (1 office)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Jennifer COBB
Corey ENGELSDORFER
Heather NORLOCK

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022.

Respondents

• Jennifer Cobb
• Corey Engelsdorfer
• Heather Norlock

Jennifer Cobb

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Wellington has a voter turn-out of over 60 percent. It is higher than County average, and higher than Provincial average, for voter turn-out.

I believe that these statistics indicate the high level of engagement in the Wellington/Ward 3 area. I attribute this to the higher than provincial median age in Wellington. Voters here are people who have lived long, productive lives, and understand the necessity of civic engagement.

Recognized as one of the “Most Patriotic Communities” in Canada a few years ago, Wellington also has a wide range of active service clubs, high volume of volunteers and engaged events widely attended by the community.

Voter engagement can be enhanced in Wellington/Ward 3 through in-person meetings. As a candidate for the office of Councillor for Ward 3, I have chosen to go door-to-door. Our demographic is somewhat older overall than the social media demographic. I believe that many people still prefer to meet “in real life”. Organizing regular coffee gatherings with residents to hear what is working, what isn’t working, what needs attention and what is prospering would enable the Councillor to stay connected to community issues, themes, successes and gains, NOT just problems.

If Council became more community centred approach, and invited participation more widely, I think they would have many people who like to participate, not just in complaining, or identifying problems, but recognizing good work in our community, stellar volunteerism, community driven successes and other good news stories.

Council could adopt a community centred approach which removes barriers to participation – not hold meetings during the day when workers cannot attend, not engage in marathon meetings which are not suitable for anyone living with a disability, and promote attendance by offering food, and transportation supports.

Council could also engage in real community based research, NOT just “Have your say” which is limited to computer literate people who have internet access and own computers. Such community based approaches would be held in the communities, would acknowledge people as “experts” in their home communities, and be present in a “listen and learn” capacity, not a “we know how to do it, and this is how it will be done”.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I am skilled, accessible and committed to my community. I bring extensive governance training and proven practice to the table. I have a long background in governance within a multi-stakeholder, unionized environment. I have training in Public Sector Accounting Practices, and extensive experience in both the internal and external audit process. These skills will contribute to a climate of transparency, clarity and consistency at Council.

I live, work, play and shop in Wellington and I am running against two people who do not live in the village. How could they really represent Wellingtonians? I know many people from many sectors of the Wellington community, and will build upon many established relationships.

I am a part-time employee and self-employed person who has an economy of time which will afford me committed participation at Council. I have the time and energy to fulfill my desire to serve my community.

I am running for Council to try to bring a stronger practice of representation to Wellington. I have strong research skills, and am constantly learning. These skills are needed to help residents understand the municipal issues they are facing, and to help resident be heard in the Council decision making process.

I understand the need to know who does what, and what level of decision making each person/role enjoys. Comprehending the scope of the position of Councillor, what the decision making capacity and authority are, and creating communication loops within the community I represent will enable me to advocate for “Wellington based” solutions to Wellington problems.

I also seek to bring some diversity to Council, and as a female, sole head of household, living with a disability I have the experience to challenge able-ism, economic exclusion and sexism if/when it arises at Council.

Many of you know me and know that whatever I do, I do it well. Whether in my Library job, my Pilates, Yoga or Functional Fitness classes, as a wedding officiant or as a widely published author, I am diligent, precise, prepared, knowledgeable, and treat people with respect. I am a helper, and a doer.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

I believe it all hinges on making residents feel like their voices and opinions are heard. Often, public consultation is just a check box that needs to be ticked off. We need to engage more on a group and one to one level. I would suggest events throughout the year to do so. Events where all of council can attend and be open and transparent.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

Wellington is at a crossroads. The village is at the cusp of unprecedented growth. In the near future we may see over 1,000 new homes. In anticipation, we are building an expensive new water tower and waterworks facility. As a long-time resident and business owner who is raising a young family, I have a vested interest in ensuring not only Wellington, but the County as a whole remains a sustainable, healthy and livable community. I will be the one to advocate for Wellington at Shire Hall.

Over the past 12 years working at The Times, I have followed our municipal government closely. I read the reports. I write the stories. I watch the meetings and I am well-versed on current and past issues. I am Wellington’s choice for sensible and level headed decision making.

I am passionate about Wellington. I grew up in the village and my day to day life still circles around Wellington. I am an active member and past chair of the Wellington Recreation Committee and also play a large part in Pumpkinfest. I am a member of the Wellington Beach Taskforce Team where we are currently working to address and resolve a multitude of short term and long term issues, and the impact of the Wellington waterfront on the community and local businesses.

One key issue that relate to Wellington includes urban sprawl and development north of the village. Growth is coming. I will work to ensure the pace of this growth is managed and the design of the communities fit with the existing village. I will also advocate that the Secondary Plan be enforced and that Belleville Road not turn into a maze of stripmalls, pulling commercial out of downtown.

Water rates are becoming more unaffordable for residents. Your bills are already among the highest in Ontario. Now Shire Hall is planning to spend $100 million to expand Wellington’s waterworks. It’s time for fair and honest representation at Shire Hall for waterworks ratepayers. I will advocate for a waterworks commission that will look at water and sewer rates separately from council in a more transparent setting.

Tourism in the County is down this season. It now appears that some of the reactionary measures that were put in place after two busy COVID summers were overreaching. Visitors have been driven away through “us and them” fines. Locals are receiving fines due to a program that wasn’t thought through. The tourism sector has had its share of growing pains. It is time to strike a fair balance between visitors and locals.

The local history, heritage and culture of the County should be preserved for future generations to enjoy. This can be done by working closely with the Heritage Advisory Committee.

Working closely with organizations such as Quinte Conservation, the County should continually review and update policies and bylaws and enforce keeping our community safe and beautiful.

We should also work towards creating natural and sustainable open spaces and habitats within the any new subdivision. Whether for recreation or habitat, these spaces contribute to the structure of our community and must be preserved and protected. Active links for pedestrians and cyclists from any new developments should also be mandatory, as well as a tree replacement plan.

In the Official Plan, having natural core areas non-developable was a good start. I would have liked to see natural core linkages also protected at the same standard.

Wellington’s Secondary Plan highlights the village forest. It contributes greatly to quality of life in Wellington and helps portray the community as a healthy, green, and attractive place for both residents and visitors. The village forest is a vital part of the natural environment as it improves air and water quality, provides shade and reduces energy consumption.

A little about me

I was born and raised in Wellington. I attended Pinecrest Elementary School in Bloomfield, and from there attended PECI in Picton. In 2004 I left the County to attend Durham College in Oshawa. I enrolled in their Graphic Design program. In 2007, I graduated and secured a placement at Formula Media Group, a division of Torstar. There, I worked on publications such as Carguide, World of Wheels, Boatguide, Canadian AutoWorld, West of the City and the Hamilton Spectator Wheels section. In 2010 I moved back to the County and accepted a position at The Times. In May of 2017 I purchased The Times from Rick Conroy and continue to publish it weekly each Wednesday. I have 3 kids – Amelia (8), Emmett (6) and Malcolm (11 months). I am engaged to Katie, and we are getting married next summer in the County.

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Heather Norlock

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Promoting the Have Your Say Platform on social media more, questionnaires concerning issues within PEC, more town hall discussions involving community members, building a relationship with all members of the community, perhaps “Have Your Say” drop boxes at the local libraries. Being visible in the community to speak with all residents.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I grew up in Wellington, living in 6 houses in Ashgill Gardens, and one on Niles St. before moving to my forever home on County Road 2. Completing Jr. Kindergarten to Grade 8 at CML Snider, and completing my 4 years of high school at PECI. Prince Edward County has been my life-long home. I plan to stay in Prince Edward County for the rest of my life. I hope to one day raise a family here, and have my future children attend CML Snider.

I want to help make positive changes for today, and for the future of Prince Edward County. I am smart, I work hard, I am dedicated, and I will pour my heart into this. I’m hungry to learn more and I’m not afraid to do the extra work.

I am in my final year of schooling, studying Civil Engineering, this knowledge and experience will help me to make informed decisions and educated input regarding water, wastewater, development, roads and planning. As a young female, with progressive views I feel my voice would benefit council. I am an advocate and supporter of equity and diversity and will continue to learn and grow with our community.

I have deep appreciation and love for all of Prince Edward County, but my roots are in Wellington. As a young professional I want to encourage, support and advocate for young professionals and young families moving to Wellington. Promote more open discussions regarding affordable living and first-time home buying. I want to advocate for the youth being able to afford to live in their hometown and raise their families here, as I believe the County needs this for the future.

I want to promote the growth of small businesses in our community and to encourage entrepreneurs to open/continue with small businesses in PEC.

I want to focus on encouraging doctors to come to Prince Edward County, and advocate for a walk-in clinic.

I want to address property tax issues, high water bills, affordable housing, streamlining municipal processes, managing tourism, and transparency.

I am looking to maintain the small-town feel of Wellington and encourage responsible development for everyone.

Over my 27 years living in Prince Edward County, I have seen rapid growth and change, I would like to be an active partner in the community to manage any further growth and change.

I, Heather Norlock, am asking for your support. I want to advocate for our community. I have no hidden agenda, I am an advocate for complete transparency. I am an open book. I am a woman who loves her hometown and wants to be there for her community.

There is a critical absence of youth voice in Prince Edward County. Don’t be part of the disconnect. Invest in young voices.

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider them too.

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Jennifer COBB
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Corey ENGELSDORFER
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Heather NORLOCK
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Jennifer Cobb
• Corey Engelsdorfer
• Heather Norlock

Jennifer Cobb

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Environment.
The Corporation of the County of Prince Edward brought forward a motion declaring a Climate Emergency in 2019. The motion was quite general, and lacked finite information, action or steps. We need to move beyond the “name and frame” phase, and set a finite plan of action.

I would like to see the Environmental Advisory Committee widen its membership, undertake an environmental assets and challenges inventory, and bring forward a plan of action to protect, preserve, conserve, restore and promote environmental health. Such a plan would need to include SMART goals: specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-based.

Through partnership with Hastings and Prince Edward Public Health, the County Council could begin to make “health” a priority in all of our policies. This would require, and enact, a holistic policy perspective that acknowledges the interrelated nature of many of our “issues”, including climate change.

With a more holistic perspective, we could begin to envision what a healthy community looks like, and set goals, steps and measurements toward becoming a “healthy community”.

A healthy community is one in which the health of individuals, communities, infrastructure and systems, the environment and climate are all seen as important, and valuable.

Greater collaboration, and input, could be invited from local organizations and initiatives including: the Prince Edward Stewardship Council, PEC Field Naturalists, Tree the County, the Environmental Sustainability group, THRIVE.PEC, and Healthy Communities.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Disagree.

3. Please explain your rating.

My experience at Hasting and Prince Edward District School Board has helped me understand that time and energy is best invested in comprehensive Governance training for Council members. When individuals understand Governance, and the complexity of their role, and when the Mayor understands the position as one of “facilitating discussion and good decision making”, then the Mayor and Council should be operating for the good of the “county” and community.

When individuals call for a “recorded vote” it is often done in a way that is angry, shaming, and comes from a “I am right and you are wrong … and I want everyone to know that” perspective. This better than/worse than divisive perspective doesn’t fit with a collaborative, cohesive governance model. Let’s spend our time, energy and money on building governance skills, facilitating lively discussion, and all Council members operating from a “what’s best for the County (not just me individually)” perspective.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

How I’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion
Taking courses to educate myself on Anti-Indigenous Racism, Anti-Black Racism, Supporting Gender Identity and Gender Choice, Plain Language/Inclusive Language, Understanding the origins of Bias, Letting go of power over structures.

What have been the biggest changes in your thinking?
I have slowly moved from thinking I know what is right, to recognizing that I have formed those opinions from a limited perspective which doesn’t include all perspectives. I have come to understand that “power over” dynamics prohibit full inclusion, and have tried to examine my thoughts, words, actions and ways of being to recognize where I operate from assumptions, from a basis of power-over others, or from an assumption of power or superiority. The biggest challenge is always in recognizing the behaviour, and then inviting conversations which help to reframe the limited assumptions I may have been operating from.

How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?
I continue to do my personal work to untangle the web of lies I have been raised in. I also try to examine my personal bias and learn new and more inclusive ways of thinking, acting and speaking. My personal work is my responsibility. I need to root out power-over assumptions in my thinking. And be accountable and responsible for my behaviour. I also choose to be open and responsive to hearing from others who experience me as operating from a “power-over” perspective, and let go of being defensive, in order to move more into “empowered” and solution-based inclusion.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Sustainable community.
I believe it is truly important for The County to be a healthy and sustainable community. If we can work towards this, it will help alleviate many of the other issues that the Vital Signs report mentions. We need to facilitate meaningful engagement with our residents and community on planning and land use decisions. Have Your Say is a useful tool, but too many decisions are being made based on little response. We also need to provide more housing choices. I would like to see a mix of housing in all future subdivisions. The plan for Fields of Wellington is a great one, where there are townhomes, detached homes and homes with apartments over the garage. These homes should also have focus on green initiatives. This will also attract young families who bring jobs with them. People move here for the sense of place and often start new tourism-related businesses. With more residents comes the role of more transportation options. It is important that any new development provide pedestrian and cycling links to town. This also helps promote a clean and safe environment for all.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Disagree.

3. Please explain your rating.

A recorded vote can be called for by a member of council. I believe this is enough protection. If a recorded vote is called for every motion, meetings will be long and drawn out, causing for lack of attention given to certain issues.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

To me, DEI means welcoming and accepting the participation and thoughts of different groups of individuals. It also means equal access to opportunities and resources to all. As a cis white male I am aware that opportunities are afforded to me in a way they might not be to others. I believe it begins entirely with self awareness and also taking the time to listen and learn.I also think understanding my privilege and bias is essential. This way I can make changes in my thinking and behavior. I was also held to account two years ago when as Publisher of The Times, I mistakenly allowed an anti-trans ad to run. We live in a community that is welcoming to all, and I took the time to listen and learn. I attended the rally against The Times and was able to allow The Times to be a platform for giving those groups a voice when they often do not get one.

I continue to learn each day.

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Heather Norlock

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Sustainable community.
The report reads that the decline in the youth age group has flattened for the first time in 10 years, while the workforce age population continues to decrease. We need to keep our youth in Prince Edward County and encourage more youth to come to Prince Edward County. To do this we must address the housing crisis, cost of living in PEC, lack of child care and living wages.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Strongly agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

I believe all votes should be recordered. This provides an open and transparent council.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

As a young female with progressive views, I continue to educate myself through local organizations that uplift 2SLGBTQ+ and BIPOC voices. I advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion in my everyday life, as well as take proactive measures to creating safe spaces for everyone. In my life I have also unlearned aspects to create a better space for diverse thinking.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

• • Jennifer Cobb
  • Corey Engelsdorfer
  • Heather Norlock

Jennifer Cobb

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Planning and development services
Prince Edward County is in the midst of a land grab and development frenzy, and yet list a very low revenue coming from Planning and Development, while indicating a significant level of expense.

I am Very Dissatisfied that the practice of selling the County has been so short sighted. I would like to see much larger revenues coming from Planning and Development, representing the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward charging developers much higher fees for the development of subdivisions and large scale developments. When they grant development applications for large scale projects, they need to include in the planning and development fees, the cost of needed infrastructure development (water, sewers, roads, doctors etc) to accommodate the added population that the development will bring.

By attaching a high price tag to the ‘privilege’ of large scale development, the municipality could slow the mad frenzy, and create a larger income stream which could more realistically support needed infrastructure development.

Environmental services
I find it fascinating that the majority of the cost for Environmental services is covered by the revenue. This means that the households who are on water and sanitary sewer hook up are the ones who pay for the majority of environmental services in Prince Edward County, despite the fact that water/sewer treatment facilities are County infrastructure and assets.

Our Council, the majority of whom live on properties which utilize a well and septic tank system, have made the decision to saddle ‘users’ with the costs of water and sewer treatment. Compared to other line items in the spread sheet, Environmental Service has the lowest Revenue to Expense ratio.

I am also disturbed to see that expenses have stayed about the same over the three years, but revenues have gone up. This against a backdrop of many residents not being able to afford water/sewer, and the need for the County Community Foundation to assist so many people with their Municipal Financial Relief Grant.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Protection services
This is a big bill for the County and taxpayers to pay. In the summer months, our officer count and cost goes up because of the Provincial Park. Ideally, I would like to see the Provincial Park fund a portion of the cost of Protection Services.

Environmental services
Again, a very large cost for waste and recycling disposal. It might be time to look at a localized collection service instead of a door to door approach. With such a rural landscape, the cost is excessive to provide a door to door service, especially for recycling.

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Heather Norlock

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Health services
I am very disappointed in health service that are provided for county residents, with the number of family doctors retiring and it feels like no encouragement or effort has been put into finding more family doctors, or the encouragement of developing a walk-in clinic for all of Prince Edward County residents with no family doctor. All approvals for new developments when we current residents cannot find doctors.

Planning and development services
There is a disconnect in county departments, and feel it is almost impossible to get anything done in a timely fashion whether it be severing or building a new home. The process is incredibly expensive, long, drawn out. There is no consistency. Changing zoning of people’s property with no notice. Personally, I feel the current council have only benefit themselves and not the public.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Jennifer Cobb
• Corey Engelsdorfer

Jennifer Cobb

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

We need to have a consistent and comprehensive set of Human Rights that apply to all Canadians. The Calls to Action should be implemented by all levels of government, PLUS Anti-Indigenous Racism training should be a requirement of all people who hold public office. We need to collectively, publicly and consciously begin to change the intrenched racism within Canadian Society.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

I am shocked that the County doesn’t have a registry, nor an Ombudsperson to resolve complaints. All public governance bodies that I know of, have a registry.

As public officials, the work of the County should be a matter of public record. We have a long history of ‘old boys’ networks’ making back-room deals. This is not democracy, and under Public Sector Accounting Practices, is illegal.

We need to be fully accountable for public funds. That means having a registry should be a requirement – it proves accountability, and demonstrates that there is nothing to hide.

When we can learn from our mistakes, we can improve. When we make our records open, transparent and accessible to all citizens, we are able to better identify those who are not following PSAP Procurement Guidelines, or are in violation of other municipal, provincial or federal laws. This further enables the County to weed out any violation of the laws which equally apply to us all.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation should be a moment for everyone including leaders in every government to reflect upon and recognize the trauma of the Residential School system. There must be a change in the way systems continue to operate and negatively impact Indigenous Peoples, and ultimately one that doesn’t fail to create equal opportunities for all.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

As the publisher of a local newspaper, I believe all documents should be easily accessible for the general public. County ratepayers have a right to know how their money is spent. I view ratepayers as shareholders in the corporation.

Openness and Transparency equals Accountability. The essential purpose of access to information is to support the democratic process: When municipal government proactively provides routine access to government held information, it creates accountability.

As far as cost benefit analysis, I am not sure I am qualified to comment. A by law would need to be made for fees and charges.

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Heather Norlock

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Strongly agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

It is very important we continue to do better and better. We must educate, continue to learn, and do our part. It is very important, and it is what every municipality should be doing.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Strongly disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

It is important to be transparent while still protecting privacy. I would need more information of estimates for the costs of active dissemination of County records in order to speak on this properly, but I do believe this is important and would appreciated by the community. We need to be transparent and honest with the community.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Jennifer Cobb
• Corey Engelsdorfer
• Heather Norlock

Jennifer Cobb

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

None.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

As an elected Public School Board Trustee for 12 years, the Trustee Code of Conduct has been a finite resource which has guided voting on a variety of issues. When there is a detailed, established Code of Conduct, it becomes de-personalized, so one Trustee (or Councillor) doesn’t have to ‘call out’ another. It is just another professional tool used for conducting business in an open, transparent and fair manner.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

We have many long term, extended families who have been established in the County for a long time. To place family interests over County interests should be a violation of the Councillor Code of Conduct, and so I support the definition of family to include relations beyond immediate family, to include extended family as well.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

The most difficult questions I continually am asked to answer (for which I have no answer) is: Why are two people who don’t even live in Wellington/Ward 3 running to represent Wellington/Ward 3?

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

It is difficult to answer because I don’t have an answer to this. I believe that residence in the Ward should be a requirement for candidacy.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I would deny this request. The entire County already has a huge backlog of issues that haven’t been fully researched. We don’t understand the long term environmental and social effects of most of what is currently defined as an ‘issue’. Until we can develop a slow-moving, cohesive, and soundly planned out development plan for the entire County, we need to halt decisions which could potentially have a disastrous effect on the County, in part or whole, and its natural resources and environment.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

Advertising: As owner of The Times, there could be a pecuniary interest when it comes to advertising. If council has any say on County advertising and where it gets placed and how often, I would have to declare an interest as I would profit from it.

This one might be more of a reach, but there could be a conflict of interested on advertising from developers. If a developer advertises with The Times, it could be seen as a way to make me vote a certain way. The County has an Integrity Commissioner who I would be able to work with on deciding whether a conflict of interest should be declared.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

It’s hard to argue against a more transparent government, and this would be a big step towards that.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

I believe council members should not participate in activities that grant, or appear to grant, any special consideration or advantage to a family member which is not available to every other individual. I could see this being an issue with County tenders, employment, or the Grant process.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

It’s been both a question and a comment: How do we stop future development?
And we don’t want anymore development in Wellington.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

It’s hard to answer because the reality is we need development, but it is hard to convince a resident who doesn’t want it.

One key issue that relates to Wellington includes urban sprawl and development north of the village. Growth is coming. I will work to ensure the pace of this growth is managed and the design of the communities fit with the existing village. I will also advocate that the Secondary Plan be enforced and that Belleville Road not turn into a maze of stripmalls, pulling commercial out of downtown.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

Deny. The environmental impacts far outweigh the tourism benefit.

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Heather Norlock

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

If I understand the question correctly, I do not see myself needing to declare any conflicts of interest. Should a family member come to council with something that would qualify I would act with honesty and transparency.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

The councillor should always advocate on the best interest of the ward as a whole. Any conflict of interest should be told to maintain transparency.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

Filling out a form to advise all on the conflict of interest would be necessary.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

As of right now I have not received a question I could not answer. Some have taken further research and to develop a full understanding, but I have always made sure to come back with an answer.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

N/A.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I would deny, as I believe more studies would need to be done on the Marina and surrounding areas, including aquatic and environmental. I would want to see data from studies of neighbours, nearby businesses, and other users to determine public opinion.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Jennifer Cobb
• Corey Engelsdorfer
• Heather Norlock

Jennifer Cobb

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Short-Term Accommodations
I find it infuriating that Council spent money on a consultant who brought a variety of best practices from similar sized communities to ours regarding their management of STA’s forward, but then elected to ignore the advice of the consultant. It often appears that whoever speaks the loudest, and most forcefully, can sway Council’s decisions.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
We have had a desperate lack of affordable housing for many years, and yet the initiative is slow moving and hasn’t made any progress. The old arena in Wellington has sat derelict for a decade, and should have been turned into affordable housing years ago.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Environment
We should have a far more comprehensive environmental initiative. Our tree canopy is dwindling, we have faced regular and persistent flooding, and have experienced a variety of climate related storms and damage.

Climate change is something that affects us all, not just we humans, but our land, our water, our homes, our agricultural sector, animals and our communities.

We need to have an overarching theme that cohesively guides our identity, policies, procedures, and practices. If we were to become a ‘Green’ community, or an ‘Environmental’ community, it would affect how we do planning and development, guide our tourism practices, improve our waste management practices, and entirely change how we promote the County. An ‘Environmental’ County is not one to be consumed, but to be preserved; not developed but enhanced; not ruined but protected.

With a widespread Environmental policy, we would limit the proliferation of signage, slow down traffic, promote walking, hiking, cycling and paddling; preserve our healthy communities, neighbourhoods and villages; and promote something that benefits us all. Environmentally sound practices could guide every one of the previously mentioned Strategic Initiatives, and be the theme that unites the work of Council across the expanse of these varied issues, promoting a livible community not just now, but long into the future.

An environmental County promotes our natural assets – parks, wetlands, the great Lake Ontario, West Lake and East Lake, and targets environmental tourism and tourists.

As one of the most ecologically diverse areas in all of Ontario, we have a great wealth of beauty, nature, diversity and wonder to share. Let us adopt an official ‘environmental’ status and let it guide how we do business in every other area, moving from knee jerk actions to a coordinated philosophy of ecological preservation and environmental sensitivity, which could guide us reliably and beautifully into the future.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Tourism Management
I feel that some management was needed, but I do think that what was put in place was a bit of an overreach. The County was struggling after a crazy COVID summer in 2020. I feel council reacted, and a bit harshly. This summer has shown that tourism has slowed quite a bit allowing for a return to normal. I think a lot of the policy that was put in place was not needed. Especially the $400 fines for non-residents, or the Wellington Beach Pass. I am not a huge fan of playing the “us” vs “them” game.

Growth and Waterworks
We talk about it a lot in the pages of The Times. We have known that the County, specifically Wellington has been expecting growth for decades. It wasn’t planned for properly, and we are now going down the path of spending $100,000,000 on new waterworks features without a guarantee of the growth coming to fruition. There are apparentl up front financing agreements but the public and ratepayers haven’t seen them. I worry that if the growth doesn’t come, then waterworks users will be stuck footing the bill.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Transparent Government
I believe one of the most common strategic initiatives should be a Transparent Government.

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Heather Norlock

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Healthcare initiatives
PEC is in desperate need of doctors, there needs to be immediate effort in finding doctors enticing them to stay here.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
After attending the affordable housing meeting, I believe we are moving in the right direction.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Roads
A County-wide strategic initiative that should be adopted by Council is road studies.

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Responses to Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• Jennifer Cobb
• Corey Engelsdorfer

Jennifer Cobb

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Audit Committee
2. Heritage Advisory Committee
3. Quinte Conservation Executive Board

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Audit Committee
I have been a member of HPEDSB’s Audit Committee for 9 years, and its Chair for the past 5 years. I have received training in, and learned a lot about, Public Sector Accounting Practices, Audit Committee liability, fiduciary responsibility, and how to read an Audited statement in order to present financial information in a transparent manner so that all stakeholders can understand it.

The impact I would hope to have is to increase my constituents understanding of the Corporation’s financial situation, and help them to feel assured that public funds are being used responsibly and to the best of Council’s ability.

Heritage Advisory Committee
As a long-time resident on Main Street in Wellington I live in the proposed Heritage Designation District. As a self employed person I have used the historic Wellington Town Hall for 17 years to offer classes on a weekly basis. I currently hold classes in the newly renovated Wellington Heritage Museum.

As a long term member of the Wellington Recreation Committee, and a member of the Friends of Wellington Town Hall Committee, I understand the difficulty and expense involved in the maintenance of our historic asset properties. And, I have seen the tides of change in Wellington, and understand that history helps to determine our future.

The impact I would hope to have on the Heritage Advisory Committee is to carry multiple stakeholder voices, needs and opinions forward to the Committee so that it is as fully informed as possible when making decisions which affect Wellington residents, residences, businesses and public assets, and to attest to the success of investing in our public assets, which are heritage properties, and increasing their financial viability as community resources, gathering places and community icons.

Quinte Conservation Executive Board
I am a lifelong outdoors woman, a ‘leave no trace’ back-country camper, hiker, paddler and adventurer. I have enjoyed a multitude of Quinte Conservation properties, and as an environmentalist, I have a vested interest in preserving and maintaining these natural spaces.

I have been a member, supporter or fundraiser of: Friends of Hillier Beaches and Dunes, South Shore Joint Initiative, the Millennium Trail Committee, Eastern Ontario Trails Association and Outdoor Adventurers Club.

The impact I would hope to have on the Quinte Conservation Executive Board is to add to the diverse voices, experiences and skills on the Executive. As a County resident I would carry the voices and concerns of County residents into that forum, and contribute to the conversation on conservation.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

I believe that not feeling heard, not being adequately informed, not having clear, complete and transparent information, and not feeling valued, has produce a great level of disconnection from the electoral process. Many people express a frustration with the limited sphere of choice in candidates, and that they have felt ‘what’s the use’, ‘none of these people represent me, or my politics’. There is also a general feeling of ‘they say one thing to get into office, then they change their tune’.

Here in Wellington, Ward 3, our demographics are somewhat different from other parts of the County. We are a community with more elders, people who have lots of experience. Many of them are retired, and have are active, interested and involved in the community. Community involvement often fosters a sense of community pride, and this translates to increased voter rates.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

While I have never neglected my responsibility to vote, I have on many occasions wondered if there was a candidate who would actually act as my ‘elected representative’. Too often I have found that candidates seek to gain office, but then fail to actually ‘represent’ their constituents. It has many times left me feeling jaded both by candidates and the so-called ‘representational’ government system. I have heard this sentiment reflected by many people who also feel they are not being ‘represented’. In part, this is why I have declared my intention to stand for Council. I seek to be a conduit of open and transparent communication between the Corporation of the County of Prince Edward, and the Wellington, Ward 3 constituents. By engaging open, transparent and consistent communication, I seek to enable more constituents to feel engaged, heard and involved in municipal government.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

I have reached out to other candidates and offered to share everything I know about campaigning with them. I have had three fruitful sessions with other candidates, and feel a spirit of collaboration and communication has been forged.

Encouraging other candidates to campaign door-to-door is encouraging them to more directly meet, speak and listen to, their potential constituents. This practice encourages increased voter turn out by creating engaged and informed voters.

In addition to the three candidates I have met with, I have reached out to two more, and offered whatever help I can provide. It is important to me to encourage greater diversity in candidates.

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Corey Engelsdorfer

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Heritage Advisory Committee
2. Community & Economic Development Commission
3. Quinte Waste Solutions

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.

The only true experience I have on these are from following the meetings and writing about them in The Times.

3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Heritage Advisory Committee
As a lifelong County resident, I am very interested in preserving our natural heritage.

Community & Economic Development Commission
As a business owner in the County, I have a vested interest in the economic development of the community. I believe it is a positive to have business owners on this committee.

Quinte Waste Solutions
From following trash bash the past few years, it is clear we have an issue with garbage and recycling ending up on our roadsides. I think there is opportunity for public awareness, as well as pilot programs that could be run to help with this issue.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

A few reasons:

1. I believe a lot of eligible voters believe their vote won’t make a difference. I have heard “they just do what they want too anyway” an awful lot.
2. I believe there are some that aren’t interested in municipal politics. They live their daily lives, and pay their tax bills and water bills. It’s just a part of life to them. I relate this to publishing The Times. We cover a lot of municipal issues but often receive little response.
3. Easy access to voting. As a person with a young family, life can sometimes be hectic. I think it might be a benefit to make voting easier (online).

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

In the recent Provincial Election. It was already a hectic day and we had to get two young kids and a baby ready, packed and in the car, and then entertain them while we voted. When we arrived to our polling station we were told we were at the incorrect one and had to visit two more before finally finding the correct location. It was a somewhat stressful outing.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

I believe there needs to be better engagement. Reminding eligible voters that they can vote and that their vote does make a difference while campaigning.

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Responses to Invitation 1

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents

• Corey Engelsdorfer
• Heather Norlock

Corey Engelsdorfer

1. How long have you resided in the County?

I was born in 1986 and lived in Wellington from then until 2004, when I left for college but would still return each summer for employment. I graduated from Durham College in 2007 and took a job in Oakville with Metroland from 2007-2010. After that time I moved back to the County and have lived here since.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

I lived in Wellington Ward until July of 2020. I currently reside in Ameliasburgh Ward, but my business office and day-to-day life revolves around Wellington. My kids also attend school at CML Snider in Wellington.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

Past Chair of the Wellington Recreation Committee. Current Vice Chair of The Wellington Recreation Committee. Member of the Wellington Waterfront Task Team.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

None.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

None.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

I am not quite sure what qualifies someone as an old resident and a new resident. Spending time on issues of old and new residents only draws away from the issues that affect each and every taxpayer in the County.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

Unfortunately, I can’t make an assumption whether this did influence the decisions of council.

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

I found this question quite polarizing and divisive. I believe Prince Edward County should foster an environment for all, whether they be “new” residents or “old” residents. I often explain to folks that the County wouldn’t have the economy or tax base it currently has without new residents. There are plenty of smaller town across Ontario who didn’t market themselves and accept change, and they are ghost towns now. Is that what some really want for the County?

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Heather Norlock

1. How long have you resided in the County?

I have lived in the County my entire life.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

I lived in Wellington my entire childhood. I moved just North of Wellington on County Road 2 many years ago and am now in the process of buying my family home from my mom so that I can stay here forever.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

I am running for Wellington Ward Councillor.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

None.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

None.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

If I understand this question correctly, I do understand the tension as we have seen such dramatic growth over the last few years. This has become overwhelming for some lifetime residents. Many locals feel they can no longer live here anymore due to changes.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

As a lifetime local resident, I would act as a mediator between the concerns of “old” and “new” residents. I would educate all parties and try to validate all feelings and try to come up with a full understanding of all sides, in the hope to create a workable relationship with mutual respect.

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RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 4 – Ameliasburgh are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 4 – Ameliasburgh (3 offices)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Paul BOYD
Sam GROSSO
Janice MAYNARD
Roy PENNELL
Bill TKACH

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd
• Bill Tkach

Paul Boyd

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Not sure how this has worked. Door knocking has told me not many use it and those that do get no reaction.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I seem to be the only candidate next to Pennell that is concerned about spending and debt.

Others have cute slogans like “building community together” grammatically incorrect but what does it mean?

How long does it take to build a hospital? Improving roads … that is a joke The county does not know how to build or fix a road.

Affordable housing. 10 years talking about the old Wellington arena and nothing has been done.

30 employees for the county make over 100 thousand dollars a year.

What would the director of Care do or a planning coordinator?

Things are out of control and no one seems concerned.

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Bill Tkach

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

By being accessible. To expand, as no one is available 24/7, set expectations or goals on returning a phone call or email. Example, “I will return your email within 24 hours”. And if I am unavailable, ensuring that the automatic email reply or voicemail message indicates the length of unavailability and the return time.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

Why am I running for council?
The short answer is to give back to a place that has so warmly welcomed my family and the place we all proudly call home, The County. The longer answer? My wife’s family is in Ottawa and Kingston and when we visited them, we always tried to visit The County. After numerous enjoyable visits throughout the years, circumstance afforded us the opportunity for my wife Sharon and I to move here permanently in the spring of 2013.

Earlier this year I retired after spending more than 25 years in the financial industry as a sales executive, and now that I have the time, I believe the best way for me to give back is to run for council. I have always been interested in politics and feel that the varied experience I have gained throughout my career will allow me to address the issues of The County by bringing a new and challenging insight to council. The County’s vibrant growth needs clear and effective management to ensure it is beneficial to both ‘old’ and ‘new’ residents.

Over the years I have dealt with a diverse sales force, worked with outside vendors, continuously delivered on targets all the while maintaining budgets.

Why should voters support me?
I think one of my biggest attributes is the fact that I am not a politician. What I’ll bring to council is a “get things done” attitude and I feel that my innovative thinking and ability to use common sense to make rational decisions will be a benefit to the constituents of Ameliasburgh and The County.

I hope that I will represent Ward Four on council and I urge all to make sure that they vote. Advanced voting is available at the Ameliasburgh Town Hall from 10:00 AM to 4:00PM on October 15th, election day is October 24th from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM and internet voting is available from 10:00 AM October 15th to 8:00 PM on October 24th.

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were also asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider their ratings alongside their explanations.

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Paul BOYD
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Sam GROSSO
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Janice MAYNARD
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Roy PENNELL
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Bill TKACH
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd

Paul Boyd

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Good health and well-being
Councillors should concentrate on the above rather than statues and parking. How many years to build a hospital? All these meetings in Toronto with 450 other municipalities seems hard to believe that a minister has the time to meet.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Neither disagree or agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

If a councillor feels strongly about a motion and wants all to know how how they voted then do it.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

Diversity equity and inclusion. The above really means “shut up”. The left doesn’t want equality It is a terrible pursuit. Inclusive and diversity might be fine but we have to balance that without violating peoples individuals rights.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd

Paul Boyd

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

General government
Hard to do business (thank goodness for [Name] and [Name]). Get answers. Complain. Attend local issues and resolve. Roads. Fire department.

Social and family services
Homeless. Talked about in Wellington for 8 years and nothing done except an executive director.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Tkach

Bill Tkach

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Neither disagree or agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

I neither agree or disagree because I do not have an opinion on the initiatives as I find it hard to believe that they are not already in place or at least have the information available.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Agree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

If there are an overwhelming number of such requests, then I think then the County should investigate creating routine disclosures. My opinion of keeping things simple still holds true, sometimes less policing can be better and more efficient.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd
• Bill Tkach

Paul Boyd

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

None.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

Should be open on any or all perceived conflict.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

As above.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

Affordable housing.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

Not possible in this county unless taxpayers want to pay the bill for a huge expense.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

Would approve. Why do we always give job creating opportunities a hard time?

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Bill Tkach

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

My wife and I own a small vineyard. We currently sell our grapes to local wineries.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Disagree.

I agree that we need certain controls, however, coming from the financial world where compliance and codes of conduct were plentiful, I answered I disagree because too much of it can put a strangle hold on progress or in our case, making decisions.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Disagree.

Where do we draw the line on who to include and who not to include. Keep it simple and transparent, if my decision or vote has a direct impact pecuniary or non, I should excuse myself from the vote.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

I haven’t been asked a difficult to answer question, other than number 7 below.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

[See below]

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

Without understanding the benefits or detriments, I cannot give a yes or no answer. I know that tourism is a big part of The County and cruise ships would add visitors. That said, if we don’t have the manpower to service these visitors, it all goes for naught.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd
• Bill Tkach

Paul Boyd

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
8 years ago they talked about this. Should have torn down the old arena in Wellington and developed the abandoned schools in Bloomfield and Picton. What did they do … hired another Executive Director. There is no affordable housing in the county.

Understanding growth and water/wastewater infrastructure
Poor planning. Sorry for the ones who have to pay. So I would say that I am disappointed.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Homelessness
Homeless people in THIS county. We should be ashamed.

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Bill Tkach

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

If I can be frank, my “neither dissatisfied nor satisfied” response to many initiatives is a result of not being personally affected by them. I believe the role of council is to collect the information, understand it and create the initiatives. My rating their efforts would be unqualified at the present time. These strategic initiatives are very important to the development of The County and if their progress isn’t moving quickly enough for constituents, then it may be time to bring new, fresh voices to council.

By-law and policy review
I have read many developments and/or decisions reported in our local papers and my first reaction was that there is a basic logic missing from decisions. We cannot stop the vibrant growth in The County, nor should we want to. What we need is to provide clear and effective management to ensure benefit to both the “old” and the “new”.

Healthcare initiatives
Steps have been taking with the hiring of a doctor recruiter and kudos for a step in the right direction. As someone who’s doctor retired 4 years ago, I have a personal interest. In speaking with a representative from Ontario Health Care Connect, one new family doctor in The County would relieve the current backlog we are faced with. The task isn’t monumental.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Going back to being frank and transparent, I cannot outline a strategic initiative that is missing. My answer is two-fold; first, I retired recently from my career in the financial industry which held a majority off my focus and second, I have not spoken with enough of my constituents to learn all their issues and concerns.

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Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd
• Bill Tkach

Paul Boyd

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Heritage Advisory Committee
2. Planning Committee
3. Quinte Waste Solutions

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Heritage Advisory Committee
I was formerly chairman of both the county and the Ameliasburgh Museum Boards. Impact: Make sure our history both physically and verbally are not erased by the few who try to rewrite the past.

Planning Committee
Good planning is required and I was on the planning board in ameliasburgh and we had an approved official plan long before any rural municipality including the county had one. Impact: Quick response for development with good intentions. Save farmland from disappearing. Develop within the existing hamlets and towns with existing services.

Quinte Waste Solutions
Instrumental in buying for Ameliasburgh the present waste site so we would have a controlled solution for all refuse in the township. Impact: Make sure we don’t make mistakes in our waste policy so we end up having to buy our way out of disposing.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

Lack of interest. Never hear from a councillor for 4 years. The ones who don’t vote if confronted will say don’t blame me I didn’t vote for the gang who have made a mess and raising taxes every year.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

Never.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

Candidates only want to get more votes than me to get elected. I think in North and South Marysburgh you can get elected with 300 votes. In Ameliasburgh you need 1000. I have never seen an ad saying get out and vote.

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Bill Tkach

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Audit Committee
2. Traffic Committee
3. Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Audit Committee
I will bring 25 plus years in the financial industry to the committee. I have managed forecasting, budgets and costs while understanding the need for focussed spending.

Traffic Committee
I have planned, developed, managed and executed national sales strategies and can bring this ability to logically review the information and offer solutions to complex problems.

Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation
There is vibrant growth in The County, and it requires clear, effective management. I would rely on the negotiating skills I possess to work with developers to create affordable housing.

3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

I would hope that my innovative thinking and ability to use common sense to make timely, rational decisions would have an impact on the committees.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

I think the problem may be two-fold – first, voters may not know the importance of municipal government or the role that it plays; second, and sadly, voters may feel it is the sale old, same old and that nothing really changes, and their vote does not have any affect.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I have always voted. Not only is it a civic duty, but I’ve also always believed that if you do not vote, your voice cannot be heard.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

We could provide more information through various venues; your websites are good examples; printed material in our local papers is another. The County could advertise upcoming elections with signs. And as elected officials it is our responsibility to make a difference, demonstrating that their votes do make a difference.

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Invitation 1

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents

• Paul Boyd
• Bill Tkach

Paul Boyd

1. How long have you resided in the County?

Since 1962.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

Since 1962.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

NA.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

NA.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

None.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

Not aware of any in my circle of friends or people met.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

If any I am a good mediator experience from my job.

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Bill Tkach

1. How long have you resided in the County?

This is my 10th summer. My wife and I moved to The County in June 2013.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

Since June 2013.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

Brand new to politics, recently retired from the financial industry.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

None.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental oganization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

None.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

Perhaps I may be fortunate, I haven’t experienced tension with “old” residents.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

Having not experienced tension between “old” and “new” it is difficult to identify a role. I would hope that personal experiences in my career will afford me the opportunity to mediate such circumstances.

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RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 5 – Athol are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 5 – Athol (1 office)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Sam BRANDENHORST
Tom HARRISON
Robert ROGERS
Elis ZIEGLER

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

I like the idea of “have your say”. The largest thing I would like to do as a Councillor is to actively participate in my community. I want to be someone people know they can reach and will be there to hear their problems and work with them to find solutions. I would like to pop by businesses and check in, maybe have a time once a week people know I’m around and can stop by and say hi and talk to someone in person (I always find that better). I feel like if I open myself up to the community hopefully, they respond with openness as well and we can better connect and communicate.

I think communicating with the public and listening to them is the largest part of councillor and the most important.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I grew up here in Athol Ward, I went to Athol-South Marysbourgh School, it’s my home. I got to actively participate in my community and enjoy everything that it had to offer. I continue to live and work on a dairy farm with my husband and two young kids, here in Athol Ward. Prince Edward County is my home; I loved growing up here. I want PEC to be the most welcoming and inclusive community that it can be.

I wanted to run for Council this term because Prince Edward County is changing and growing and I want to be a part of that process. I want to embrace new changes that benefit the year-round economy but protect the many wonderful things about the County that makes us so unique. Our natural landscapes, agriculture and quiet, friendly way of life. The things that made PEC so enticing for many to visit and want to move to. I don’t want to forget our roots. I really want my children to grow up in a community that they are proud to call their home and I will work incredible hard to do so.

A few things I’m passionate about:

• Health care
• Protecting the land and water
• Infrastructure
• Economic and environmental sustainability
• Fostering a sense of belonging
• People in the PEC community!

I’m committed to having good honest conversations with our community members. I want to learn and grow. I don’t have all the answers, but I’m willing to listen and talk with you to find them. I’m hoping you will trust me with your thoughts and feelings and know that I’m someone you can count on. I’m running for you. I believe in respectful communication where no one is left out; everyone is heard and gets a chance to speak.

How do we make sure the County is moving in a direction that is feasible and prosperous for all who live and play here? This is the question that I am committed to answering through thoughtful collaboration and meaningful conversations. I’m here for the long haul and most importantly, here for you.

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Tom Harrison

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Council can do a few things to increase engagement. In addition to things like “have your say”, for example, regular town hall meetings with the Mayor and other officials, in Picton, but also in-person in places like Cherry Valley would be welcome. Better and more consistent outreach through media and particularly social media might also help. I think Council should continue with online and streamed meetings, which provide access to many who might not otherwise engage in-person. There may be other opportunities to increase online participation that ought to be explored. I’d also like to see an examination of our youth sporting and recreational leagues, as part of an overall “Youth” strategic priority, to see if the County can better support these organized activities that bring together people of all ages and backgrounds.

Some of the responsibility for keeping our community informed and engaged in local politics also falls on individuals. People with skills and interest need to be encouraged to be more involved in all of our community activities and programs. Council should also continue to encourage local citizens to organize around issues of common concern, like in Athol where a couple of groups have formed to protect our South Shore. These groups let people have a collective voice to be heard better at Shire Hall, and reinforces personal connection and communication between neighbours who unite to achieve a common goal.

Unfortunately, the negativity that pervades media and many online platforms, and often targets public officials, discourages many from more constructive engagement in public. This is not particular to the County, or even to our times, and is part of a trend that has seen community engagement falling for the last generation. Individual Council members can combat this “apathy” by working to inform, engage and connect with as many individuals and groups as possible.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I’m a teacher and a lawyer who lives on our farm near Cherry Valley, with the skills and experience to effectively represent Athol (Ward 5). This includes focus on the 5 priorities of my campaign: youth, heritage, housing, green Initiatives and good governance, as well as concerns like access to doctors, roads, and tourism management, that I’ve heard while knocking on doors during the campaign.

I’ve worked directly with County youth on the Board of the Youth Centre (the ‘ROC’) since 2017. I want to advance ‘Youth’ as a strategic priority for our new Council, that would see stable funding for our youth organizations and an expansion of programs, to give every young person the opportunity to succeed. One longer term goal would be to seek funding for a re-vitalized fairgrounds, that would also see a purpose-built Youth Centre, to include amenities like a new daycare centre and beds for a Youth Hostel.

As the municipal appointee on the County’s Heritage Advisory Committee, and as Vice-Chair for the last year, we have to do a better job of protecting our heritage. This includes preserving the best of what’s come before, but balancing it with the need to embrace inevitable future change. One important best practice here would be to develop a consultation protocol that would see as wide a diverse range of the public as possible be involved in deciding cultural and landscape heritage issues.

I’d also like to see better supports for the work of our environmental advisory, and to citizens, businesses and farmers across the County as part of a new set of green initiatives. This would include re-formulating the farmer’s municipal tax credit, examining and expanding other incentives for people to better protect the environment, and working with our municipal and other government partners to co-ordinate support for the County. I’ve personally planted several thousand trees on my farm, and gotten a tax credit, but it’s things like this that could also be readily expanded.

The housing crisis has adversely affected so many, but especially young people. The short-term solution to this challenge is to increase supply. We need to support the work of our Housing corporation in building affordable housing. From my own time working in community housing, I think we can also develop more innovative and creative approaches, that would include collaborations with the non-profit and private sector, on building alternatives like rent-geared-to-income and co-operative housing.

Last, I’d like to see a more effective Council, that institutes streamlined procedures to proactively address many of the issues our community faces. As a governance and policy lawyer and as a teacher who has worked in a wide range of diverse settings to educate, I will be an effective Council member, who has the background to collaboratively work within Shire Hall to advance the interests of Athol, and of the whole County.

I hope you will consider voting for me starting on October 15 (advance), online and on Election Day, on October 24th!

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Bob Rogers

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Because of the provincial elections and privacy acts the only people that can review the election data are the province or the clerk after the close of the polls, so data like age, sex, owner, seasonal can only be analyzed by them and without that data we are just guessing as to who, what or why voter turnout is so low. I don’t have much faith in the “have your say” web-site. It seems to be the same hundred people over and over again, most using it as their personal platform for their agenda. Some councillors are having some success on Facebook, and I might look at that but there is a cost involved, the same with town halls that would be great for big ticket items. I will look at all options if elected but to start I suggest just picking up the phone, 9 to 9 Monday to Saturday or emailing me anytime. I will respond.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I was born and raised in Oakville, and I am of United Empire Loyalist (UEL) decent.

I moved to Picton in 1973. I have lived and worked my entire adult life in the County as a mechanic, a service manager, and a farmer. I know what it takes to live, work, raise a family and keep them here. My kids still live, & work, in the County. I have owned my farm for 39 years.

Since amalgamation, with the provincial downloads and new provincial legislation, the municipality has become financially unsustainable. We cannot continue doing things the way we used to. We must change, modernize, and innovate to stay viable and to maintain our quality of life, history, and culture.

We have a serious labour shortage. People, especially young people, cannot afford long term rental accommodations, if they can find them. To address labour shortages and support our businesses we must have affordable housing. I will work on Council to work closer with developers, reduce property taxes on long term rental units, and raise the maximum building height from 5 to 10 stories in site specific areas to double long term rental stocks without doubling their footprint.

Since 2014 we have been under funding our roads and infrastructure by $10 million a year, and now that many of our roads have passed their best before date, we must come up with a long-range plan that works. Before entering new ventures and new expenditures, we need to ask ourselves, “Is this project more important than safe roads and sustainable infrastructure.”

In Ontario only 5% of our land mass is arable land. We are losing 319 acres a day, every day, to urban sprawl. I will be a strong advocate for halting non-agricultural development on prime farmland.

Another threat to agriculture and our environment is Invasive Species, which costs the agricultural community alone 2.2 billion a year in Canada, that is not counting their impact on fish and wildlife or the forest industry. We need a 5-year plan for the eradication of wild parsnip and a 10-year plan for the control of buckthorn.

Local government needs to be more transparent, especially at budget time. The budget process is the most important function of Council. It needs careful pre-budget planning at the council level, and a patient, thoughtful process that involves public input. In addition, Council needs to consult with local business on major construction projects, especially on timing for road work.

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. A smaller council is necessary to increase the efficiency of government and decision making and depending on the model chosen, voter equity. Money saved could be dedicated to attracting more candidates for the 2026 election.

I would be proud to represent Athol on Council and would commit to open and respectful relationships with all County residents and businesses.

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Elis Ziegler

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Engagement is always a difficult challenge as residents try to understand municipal decision-making processes and legislative requirements for items on Council agendas. Residents don’t always have the time or energy to delve into topics they are interested in. Public engagement needs to be a multi-pronged approach to maximize engagement of County residents. Currently, this includes the County communications, surveys and some Councillors actively trying to inform their constituents via social media. As a Councillor Candidate, I commit to having monthly town hall meetings on topical issues both to educate and inform. I will continue to use social media to reach out to residents, particularly new ones, for engagement through volunteer activities as well as provide feedback on County issues. I will support a stronger communication plan which includes social media, and increased recruitment for and input into the 19 County Boards and Committees, which can help with engagement, communication, and the expertise The County can use.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

Thank you for this voter engagement process responding to some very important questions for County residents. My reasons for running are the same as my campaign last term, which is to be part of decision-making that truly benefits The County for the long term. As a manager of public funds for 30 thirty years, and non-profit Board Member working for rural and vulnerable residents, I saw the difference good policy makes on housing, economic development and more. With that background, I bring strong governance and analytical skills. My demonstrated performance in County committees including Chair of the Picton Town Hall Board of Management and lead on its Farmers Market, Treasurer of South Marysburgh Recreation Board and Secretary of PEC Affordable Housing Corporation, and talking to those stakeholders, I have learned about the diverse needs of The County I can bring to my role. I am not one or two issue candidate – I have had the privilege of learning, in-depth of the County’s needs. As a self-employed beekeeper and educator, I am keenly aware of the effects of humans on the environment, habitat and the food we eat. I make community engagement my permanent lens.

As a Councillor, my goal is to work with the expertise at the Council table, the CAO and Staff, the subject matter resident experts, County’s advisory committees and boards to collect the best information we for the best decisions – financially, socially, environmentally, economically. As a Councillor, I will implement monthly town halls to engage residents about issues important to them. I will seek out resident subject matter experts. I will work with the CAO to build the capacity of County Staff to present us with the best information. I will support our advisory committees to be able to provide the most robust recommendations to Council. When Athol residents vote for me, they do so knowing they will have a fully engaged Councillor passionate to represent them with balance and accountability.

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were also asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider their ratings alongside their explanations.

 

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Sam BRANDENHORST
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Tom HARRISON
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Bob ROGERS
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Elis ZIEGLER
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Quality education.
I believe to reinforce the work our teachers and eas are doing in the school we need to encourage opportunities from our community to keep offering a wide variety of programs for kids to learn and grow from. If this is dance work shops, school theatre productions, music programs, sports, intellectual clubs (such as chess or student government). I would love to see these opportunities brought to the schools to help learning happen in creative ways. I would love to work more closely with school board trustees and figure out how we can fill in these gaps. Quality education can be so much more than just a letter grade but the moments children find out their passions and become more well-rounded human beings.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

If this would help the community feel there is more transparency in government by all means. I would own every vote I make, I don’t see a reason to hide from my decisions.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

What I have been doing the most is trying to talk one on one with individuals who come from marginalized communities. I want to hear their stories, I want to listen and learn how I can do better and I want to be corrected on my privilege. I would love to take more professional classes and seminars to expand that knowledge and to keep learning. I can always do better.

The biggest changes to my thinking has been understanding the white, hetero lens that has been applied to history, literature, art and media. That sometimes we think we are “helping” but not actually asking what these individuals need, thus we are just assuming and creating answers to complex problems and keeping the white, heteronormative narrative going. What I have learned is to step back and listen and let others lead.

I am applying this to my work with the County by trying to create safe spaces where everyone is welcomed and appreciated. No matter who or where they come from. Everyone deserves a chance to speak and be heard. I just want everyone to know they are important and I appreciate everyone who trust me with their thoughts and feelings.

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Tom Harrison

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Sustainable community.
Council needs to develop a strategic plan to holistically address these items, assign resources, critical dates and to determine assessment metrics. For the first, “sustainable community” we need a “Youth” strategy that would address challenges and provide opportunities for children, youth and young adults. This includes stable funding our local youth centre, and enhanced resources to support programs and services for all stakeholders providing supports in this area. One future goal would be a purpose-built Youth Centre, on the grounds of a future re-vitalized fairgrounds, that would include amenities like a childcare centre and potentially capacity for a youth hostel.

Additional items to sustain our community would see a renewed and enhanced commitment to green initiatives, additional support for housing, including working with the non-profit and private sector on innovative solutions, seeking to operationalize the recommendations of our business community, and to create an effective governance body that has the facility to respond quickly and effectively to municipal issues.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

There are too many motions, and other pro forma procedures at Council meetings now. We don’t want to further complicate matters by seeking recorded votes for everything, e.g., for all of the many motions to receive presentations and deputations. All substantive matters should be recorded, and could easily be done so electronically with readily available software, in a fashion that would speed things up.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

I’ve spent most of the last decade teaching cultural competence, equity, diversity and inclusiveness in a mandatory course for young and new lawyers at Queen’s University. My teaching built on my work for much of the last couple of decades advocating on behalf of groups and individuals seeking equity within our broad system of social justice, as a social worker, teacher and a lawyer. I continue to seek ways to advance my own understanding in this area. For example, I recently successfully completed the University of Alberta certificate course on “Indigenous Canada”.

The biggest changes have come about as the result of recognition of rights, and the increased centring of the narratives of a wide range of diversities of those who have not always been fully included in our social structures and institutions. Over this time, my appreciation of intersectionality, and the very wide range of diversities has expanded, as I’ve directly contributed to the social and legal discussions that have advanced these rights, and sought to create a more just society. As the Council representative from Athol I will filter all of Council’s activities through a lens that fully supports equity, diversity and inclusiveness.

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Bob Rogers

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Environment.

“Tree Management and Preservation Policy, Dec. 21,2020.

“The purpose of this Tree Management and Preservation Policy is to conserve, maintain and increase the Tree Canopy of Prince Edward County.

“The Municipality recognizes the importance that Trees hold in enhancing the quality of life of its residents and recognizes the positive natural benefits of trees. Trees beautify the landscape, reduce the impact of extremes in weather, provide habitat for wildlife, add value to property, and contribute to a healthy environment.

“The Municipality acknowledges that trees play an important role in both sequestering carbon and in helping mitigate the effects of climate change.”

It is nice to finally have this policy, even if it will take many, many years to see its results. I feel this is the right place to start if our community really cares about the environment and climate change.

All along County Rd. 11 our mature Maples have come to the end of their life cycles and the Elms and Ash trees have been decimated by invasive insects, disease and plants. The entire community, led by Council must ack now to make meaningful change.

I also feel we need an Invasive Species and Plant Management Strategy in place.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Strongly disagree.

3. Please explain your rating.

By requiring a recorded vote on housekeeping issues such as approval of agendas and miniates etc. it would only disrupt the flow and prolong meeting with no upside. The new By-Law allows for anyone to call a recorded vote and they are less important now because any member of council can bring a failed motion back on the floor after the required time.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

I’m not sure how to answer this question but I’ll try.

I was raised in a Loving middle class family of 4 kids. My Dad worked full time, my mom, part time once we were all in school. We were never flush with money, and we were taught if you wanted something you worked for it. One thing we were never taught was Hatred or Racism.

I was lucky to go to schools with such a diverse group of kids, no one seemed out of place or cared. I feel we are all part of one race, the “Human” race, and there is a place in our community for everyone.

I believe in the 10 commandments and have tried to live my life by them. They are my moral compass and that people’s action are the only thing that really matters, nothing else.

The 3-things mankind must address are, Greed, Power, and Hatred if we are ever to have Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.

My takeaway is, I thought most people looked at things like I do, that I’m just normal. I see now that I was wrong and in fact because of my upbringing, my family, friends, and community, I have been truly Blessed.

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Elis Ziegler

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Sustainable community.
The theme of Sustainable Community has encompassed population growth and inclusivity in the Vital Signs report, but is perhaps the theme with the most significant long term impact. In the coming term, Council should develop clearer data and policy for the needs of County residents, including the migration of families out of Prince Edward County, the needs of families with children, people with disabilities, BIPOC people, and gap analysis for childcare and youth services, as well as employment opportunities for youth in rural areas with transit challenges. Sustainability data that will help Council also includes more detailed data about all types of County industries, businesses, housing stock, and services. A clearer picture of County demographics should steer our decisions on spending, priorities and advocacy to other levels of government.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Strongly agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

All Councillors should be able to stand behind their vote each and every time. That is part of the responsibility of people in that role. I would support the amendment to the Procedural By-Law requiring recorded votes for all motions and supporting the use of electronic means to aid County staff in automating that process.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

I am always trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. Having said that, I have been a DEI trainer for County staff as part of a team of subject matter experts, and led a staff working group to update organization policies for more than one employer. The biggest changes in my thinking is that listening to, and acting from, the voices of under-represented and marginalized groups is key, and having people from those groups actively participate in decision-making that affects them is key. I have applied those learnings to all of my work in The County, including my appointments to the Affordable Housing Corporation, Picton Town Hall Board of Management and South Marysburgh Recreation, as well as my own workplace policies and business collaborations and donations. Further, as members of more than one under-represented group, I have lots to offer toward continued work toward inclusion.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Transportation services
I was dissatisfied with the budget when seeing our transportation service section. Roads are what connects our community and yet there is so much room for our County to improve. The County upgraded and repaired a lot of our roads during amalgamation however many of our roads need to be re-done. This is a primary concern for residents in my ward and I’m sure for many others in PEC. I understand that I can’t take just take a large amount of money from one area and move it to another but I hope that if we trim the fat in every category, we can hopefully find the funds to help put roads forward, or at least start.

General government
General Government is our section of the budget that I would like to focus in on. This is the area I would like to spend more time really understanding and seeing where that money is going. Since we do not get the actually breakdown of each specific area, it’s hard to say if this area makes sense or if it’s getting too much. I understand the bulk of this budget is going to supplies and wages, those are two things that have gotten very expense over the last two years. Supplies and resources have drastically increased and people need more money to live. I would love to cut any unnecessary expenses if I can find them but I will need access to all the information.

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Tom Harrison

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

General government
There should be an expanded waiver and reduction program on municipal fees. This fee waiver program would benefit low-income residents who need help with general fees like garbage, fire and other common permits.

The reduction program should apply to prefer local residents on some services like boat launches – which work well to charge visitors to the County for the use of local services, but disadvantage many who have relied on these amenities for years. All municipal fees should be reviewed on a go-forward basis to make sure they adhere to the principle that fees ought to reflect the service or product being provided.

Unfortunately, all too often general government fees are viewed as just another source of revenue, and imposed with little context on how they are adversely affecting the local community.

Transportation services
One success in the last couple of years was the introduction of a public transit option for PEC residents. However, the benefits of this program remain uneven, with it largely leaving out Athol ward.

The bus was even planned to come down to the Sandbanks Park twice a day this past summer – but would not loop back through Cherry Valley, or otherwise provide services to our south end community. I’ve raised this issue with the County since I think there should be the ability for local Athol residents to access this service, even on a limited or on-demand basis, so they have the option of getting to town to do common tasks like banking and grocery shopping.

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Bob Rogers

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

It’s hard to compare these places with the limited information provided and nothing about the number of Km of roads they have, or their water/wastewater infrastructure needs or capacity. That said, we are in the middle of the group, both in population and finance’s which would seem normal.

We also know, we should always strive to do better.

General government
I would like to point out that both Norfolk and West Nipissing have a council of 8 plus a mayor.

Transportation services
Our roads are in bad shape and must be a priority.

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Elis Ziegler

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following service categories:

Service category	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
General government
Protection services
Transportation services
Environmental services
Health services
Social and family services
Social housing
Recreation and cultural services
Planning and development services

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Despite the information provided for this question, I can not say with certainty how I am satisfied with the way in which revenue for these services are collected. It would seem that baseline fundamental costs like protection and transportation as two examples would come from property tax revenue, and planning service fees are dependent on development files which would necessitate a cost per basis. I don’t feel this is enough of a question, or enough data to form an opinion on how effective revenue generation is in these segments. As a Councillor, it would be my responsibility to ensure I have all the information and resident input to review collection methods for various municipal services.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Strongly agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

I believe developing these Strategic Initiatives would be an important step forward for PEC. When the Sir John A. Statue issue was being discussed many individuals said, whether the statue stayed up or down, we need to better educate ourselves. I believed it needed to come down and educate ourselves and our future generations. We need to learn more; we need to do better. I feel like putting through these initiatives would be positive change.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

My rating for 3 b. I feel like it is an interesting idea to routinely disclose more information to the public. Especially, if there is particular information that many members of the public are asking for already. Why not eliminate a step? I’m all for having more knowledgeable communication. I feel like I would be able to have more productive and informative talks with my constituents. However, I do think Council will need to think about what information should be regularly released and which should still be requested.

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Tom Harrison

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

There are several additional TRC calls to action that touch on municipalities. The ones listed and the additional calls to action should all be addressed by Council. A strategic priority is one policy option, but may not be the most effective. There should be more practical, concrete steps to put at least some of the large number of calls into action. For many, like training, we don’t need a strategic priority to just do it as an ongoing best practice.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

[Statement A] The benefits of transparency and accountability generally outweigh costs. It’s hard to imagine that publicizing a record of MFIPPA requests would be costly, but I would need more information here. There might be overriding individual interests to protect though. Requesters, might be seeking information for personal reasons. Citizens seeking this information from the municipality might not necessarily want their request, which I can imagine touching on private, personal or other non-public details, disclosed in an open register.

It might be more appropriate to consider disclosing a summary of requests, which excludes personal or identifying information of requesters, and is made available annually. Such an annual summary disclosure could be modelled on the approaches now used by professional regulatory bodies, or Ombuds across the country. It would also be helpful to look at the practices listed elsewhere, and to ask them about their experience, what worked, what didn’t, and any costs or other pitfalls.

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Bob Rogers

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Neither disagree or agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

I feel our Indigenous People should set the framework for reconciliation as it pertains to the municipality, not the United Nations.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

[B] On June 23,2008, council adopted a routine disclosure policy and fee schedule to deal with these issues. I am not aware of its current status.

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Elis Ziegler

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Strongly agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

The Government of Canada, all levels of government and settlers have so much more concrete work to do, and beyond the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Report, now seven years old. County Council can start with a Reconciliation Plan which outlines how Councillors and Staff will integrate local Indigenous rights and principles in its work, including understanding the history and culture of the Rotinonhsyonni (Haudenosaunee) Confederacy and its settlement here, as well as policy to work in concert with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, respecting the Two Row Wampum agreement with non-Rotinonhsyonni (Haudenosaunee) peoples. This plan should include expectations for Councillors, Staff, funded organizations and vendors.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

[A] It would seem there are two issues here. One is the ability for residents to get information about County performance in a timely manner, and the other is the cost of maintaining a register. I am all for full public disclosure about information requests on principle outside of individual County staff personnel files and others deemed confidential by legal interpretation. As to the cost/benefit analysis of creating a public register, County Staff would have to provide an accurate report of the financial costs of providing that information, and interpretation by County legal representation before I drew a conclusion.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

The young farmers agriculture grant would have been a conflict of interest. If there was an art grant for theatre companies in the area, that would be a conflict of interest.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

I believe that a code of Conduct would be a positive. If you are doing everything right and informing others of biases, than a code of Conduct would not be an issue.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

Like my answer for 3, I believe a code of Conduct would still be positive. For it to include direct family makes sense. We are individuals put in a position of power and influence and should act with integrity.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

My most difficult question is: “do you actually believe you can make a difference?”

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

I think this is a hard to answer question because it feels like individuals have lost their hope in municipal politics. I understand I am one voice in a room but I do believe I can make change. Even if making positive change is just not making negative. I wouldn’t be running if I didn’t think I could make a positive impact on my community.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

Based on all the information I had available to me, I would agree with councils decision to deny the cruise ships.

From what I have researched, I agree that the influx of cruise ships would just want to go to the already swollen areas of tourism. I agree with the reports that indicated that they wouldn’t bring in a large amount of income compared to the amount of strain they would add to infrastructure and our quality of life.

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Tom Harrison

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

For the purposes of this question I’d accept what appears to be a legal interpretation and opinion contained in the lengthy preamble, but which merits further scrutiny and explanation. This question might inaccurately suggest to some that undeclared ‘conflicts’ are a more significant and common problem for PEC Council than might be the case. It’s an important & legitimate subject, but to my knowledge we don’t appear to have an unusual number of conflicts issues, undeclared conflicts, or many that might potentially be disqualifying, even if they’re outside the current rules.

I don’t anticipate any conflicts of interest. I don’t have full knowledge of what conflicts others have declared in the past, so don’t know what this question refers to. I’d examine each future situation on its own merits, and where necessary seek advice, especially from the local Integrity Commissioner, about any matter that could be an issue.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Neither disagree or agree.

Agree in principle with the idea that the County should look at requiring disclosure of non-pecuniary conflicts, and those involving family members. The premise of the question requires more context before I’d agree completely with this in the form it is currently posed. As I challenge a premise, on the chart the only category that fits is neither agree or disagree.

Ontario Ombudsman Paul Dube’s recommendations are too vague and require further analysis. The question at the heart is whether any ‘conflict’, as defined in policy, law, or both, is disqualifying. Immediate personal pecuniary interests are rightly taken to be inherently disqualifying. However, there are a diversity of additional interests outside the limited scope of the current definition of ‘conflict’ that might be included, some of which might or might not rise to the level of a disqualifying interest.

Similarly, the issue of non-pecuniary interests extending to a range of extended family members, which might include a raft of direct and indirect matters, is also potentially overly broad. Consequently, the specifics of adopting such a change would need to be examined closely to ensure it is workable and ultimately, in the public interest. I’d support putting this question to the current PEC Integrity Commissioner for options and recommendations to Council.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Neither disagree or agree.

[As above]

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

Why would I even bother to vote when it’s not going to change anything?

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

It’s a hard question because it reflects an understandable frustration with our current political process and some of its leaders. The frustration is one that I share to some extent. It’s also one reason I chose to become a first-time political candidate for PEC Council in my home ward of Athol. My goal is to give people choice by presenting a positive, constructive and honest campaign, to move beyond platitudes, and rhetoric, and to propose practical solutions on focused priorities, that are a big part of our shared challenges here in the County.

I’m committed to public service, I’ve worked for years to try to help improve our community. In PEC this includes advocating for youth and children, fundraising to support our public library and assisting to protect our cultural heritage. I’ve also spent years working in government policy, and in teaching. I’ve seen first-hand how people’s contributions can benefit and enrich their communities.

Unfortunately, we have far too many public figures seeking to divide people with partisanship and rhetoric. What we need instead are people working together to develop real public policy solutions. For the voter who asked this difficult question, and for far too many others though, negative sentiments and frustration at political process has led to voter apathy. It will take some effort to convince them otherwise, and to increase voter and civil engagement more generally. But I know from experience that our community cares, that many make a positive difference, and I’d like the chance to do this constructively as the next Councilor for Athol ward.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

The only details I know about this issue are what I remember from press reports. At the time it seemed like a reasonable decision. To be fair though, I would need more context to fully appreciate and assess that past decision-making process. All Councilors are obliged to keep an open mind with respect to any questions or public issues that might come before Council, or risk appearing prejudiced towards anyone appearing before our town council. As the Councilor for Athol ward, there’d have to be a real and specific situation, with appropriate background, costs, benefits and risks, along with updated context and options, to weigh all considerations thoroughly before I would finally decide one way or another on a similar future question.

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Bob Rogers

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

I do not foresee any, that said 4 years is a long time. I have told the members of the Prince Edward Rod & Gun Club, and the Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture that if elected, I will be stepping down as President and vice-chair.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

As special interest groups continue to push their agendas and try to steer the narrative it is even more important to have full transparency of council.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

I would have thought that this would have been done without saying but maybe not. So, it should be updated for clarity. My only fear is that by making it too liberal that it could be used to avoid voting on a controversial/hot button matter.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

“When is the county going to fix my road?”

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

Because I have no access to that information.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I wasn’t following the matter, so I cannot say how I would have voted or try to second guess council’s decision. What I can say is, if elected, I will be, open, fair and unbiased with all matters before me and council and vote for what is best for the county as a whole.

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Elis Ziegler

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

I can’t foresee any conflict of pecuniary interest such as those declared on Council at this time. I have a home-based business, do not own or manage an STA, and neither do my family members. I do not have financial interest in any County businesses or STA’s, commercial rental or residential tenancy properties.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

It is my position that any elected official or staff of government should disclose perceived conflict of interest of any kind to ensure true accountability and transparency. That information should be shared appropriately so as not to breach confidentiality of other people who are part of that disclosure.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Strongly agree.

As above, it is my position that any elected official or staff of government should disclose perceived conflict of interest of any kind to ensure true accountability and transparency through an appropriate process that keeps confidential the information of people not directly identified in pecuniary/non-pecuniary conflict of interest.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

I have not been given an answer difficult to answer. I will either have a position on the subject, or explain how I would get more information to be well-informed on a given issue.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

[N/A]

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I would vote against a rezoning application from Picton Terminals so long as environmental and economic data, as well as resident feedback continues to show the same information – that it’s a bad decision to allow it.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Short-Term Accommodations
I have not been the most impressed with County Council’s management with STA’s. I believe they did not jump on the opportunity fast enough to enforce stronger and more strategic forms of management. I believe STA’s can be positive when they are a secondary property to help pay off cottage or expenses on one’s primary residence. However, when one individual or cooperation is able to own 4+ homes and they are strictly doing it as a financial venture, this is not conducive to PEC. It takes homes away from families who want to grow and contribute here. Yes, tourism is a large part of our economy and yes, STA’s have a time and a place but not when entire villages and streets and being bought and rent, creating ghost towns in the winter. They are also a large component affecting the affordable housing situation. We need to find balance again.

Downtown Revitalization
The Downtown Revitalization I have to say for the most part is being followed. County Council has fulfilled majority of the promises they made to the various Downtown Districts (not just Picton). Our parks are clean and inviting, since COVID there has been activities not just for tourist, but for locals and youth. More farmer’s markets have allowed an opportunity for small business to extended to new cliental. Support of Pop ups at shops and some (hoping to be more) street festivals have breathed life into our community again. I would love to continue this work. I believe a large part of PEC are these small elements that when added up make a large impact on our mental well-being and over all economy. It creates a lasting feeling that PEC is not just a two month tourist town but has a beating heart that is powered all year long.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Young Professionals
I believe that the County is missing a Young Professional Strategy. One that focuses on the retention of young professionals (doctors for example) and young families. It could be as simple as hiring an individual who’s job it is to help new residents make PEC their successful home. They can help introduce them to others in the area. Help them find hobbies and groups to participate in and hopefully help them figure out how to adjust to the County Lifestyle and appreciate all we have to offer. We want and need more younger people to stay.

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Tom Harrison

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Housing is a priority of my campaign that covers both the issue of Short-Term Accommodations (STAs) and the PEC Affordable Housing Corporation.  The Corporation is making a good start in building affordable homes, but needs more support.  Council needs to ensure it lobbies effectively for support from the Federal Housing fund, and the Ontario government. Where possible the County should seek to speed up the approvals processes for these projects. The Corporation also needs to build a wide range of housing, and to collaborate in partnerships with the private and non-profit sector to construct more rental units, Rent-Geared-to-Income homes, and co-operative housing.

Short-Term Accommodations
Part of the reason there is a lack of housing in the County has been the proliferation of STAs. Locally this part of the housing challenge is causing great difficulty for many who now can’t afford a place to live. The exploding number of STA accommodations adversely impact anyone who rents, businesses trying to find homes for workers, and inflates the market for those seeking to buy their first homes. Hopefully enforcement of the new STA restrictions will cap the numbers of these types of units, and increase the rental supply in Prince Edward County. But Council needs to be vigilant to address this challenge, to make sure enforcement is working as intended. Addressing the STA issue to get it under better control is one significant way to address the overall issue of Housing in PEC.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Youth
A strategy to better support Youth across PEC is one of my campaign priorities.  We need to provide more opportunities for children, youth and young adults for success in the County. I’ve chaired the ROC for the last few years, and one thing that would help would be stable municipal funding for this organization, that now relies on donations and other grants for most of its operations. There should also be a long-term permanent plan developed to establish a purpose-built Youth Centre, perhaps on the re-vitalized fairgrounds with provincial and municipal assistance. Municipal programs for children and youth should be expanded, including a County sponsored daycare, summer camps, and support for other programs that can engage all of the young people, in my own ward of Athol, but also right across the County. Council should develop its Youth strategy and adopt it as a priority going forward.

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Bob Rogers

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
The Housing corp. Is a good start and we know we have a serious labor shortage. People, especially young people, cannot afford long-term rental accommodations, even if they find them. To address labour shortages and support local businesses we must have affordable housing. I would like to see them work closer with developers and reduce property taxes on long-term rental units and raise the maximum building height from 5 to 10 stories in site specific areas to double long-term rental stocks without doubling their footprint.

Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure
This is a big and complex issue that only effects 28% of our population so I will break it down into 2 parts.

Water: We need to go back to the City of Belleville for a fairer deal and one that works for us both.

Wastewater: 72% of county resident’s use septic systems or holding tanks that require regular pump outs. At present this septage is not being taken at the county’s treatment plants so it is trucked to other municipalities for treatment or spread un-treated. If this policy were changed and everyone in the county used these plants, the cost, maintenance, and operations of them could be paid out of general tax revenues. It would stop un-treated septage from being spread and give more farms access to treated bio-solids.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Infrastructure Renewal
Since 2014 we have been under funding our roads and infrastructure by $10 million a year, and now that many have passed their best before date, we must have a long-range plan that works. This is about more than just County Road 49.

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Elis Ziegler

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp. & Short-Term Accommodations
I am less than satisfied with both housing initiatives and short-term accommodations, which I see are two sides of the same coin. Given that rental rates have increased as much as 50% in two years, and 41% of property owners in Athol do not have their primary residence there, we are most definitely in a housing crisis. This will only change through aggressive County policy which increases commercial accommodation, further reduce short residential short term accommodation and increase affordable new rental housing options.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Economic Development Leadership
Council should endorse economic development leadership to spur the development of non-tourism related County-owned business which will hire resident employees. This could be achieved through leveraging funds from provincial and federal levels of government, regional economic development bodies, and THRIVE Prince Edward County. The County needs to actively support four season County employers to ensure our economic and social capital grows and remains here.

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Responses to Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• Sam Branderhorst
• Tom Harrison
• Bob Rogers
• Elis Ziegler

Sam Branderhorst

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

The internal committees I feel like my skill set would be reflect would be: Agricultural Advisory Committee and Public Library Board. If those two are taken, I would also be very interested in the Police Services Board and Community and Economic Development Commission. The external committee I would have the pleasure of joining would be Hasting and Prince Edward Board of Health. I would just like to note, it would be a great honour to serve on any of these committees and no matter which one I get the pleasure to join.

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee
2. Public Library Board
3. Hasting and Prince Edward Board of Health

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Agricultural Advisory Committee
I have lived and worked on a dairy farm for 21 out of the 27 years of my life. I have worked for a small blueberry patch another summer and for 6 months now, had the pleasure of working at a winery. I participated in 4-H for 5 years and was apart of Junior Farmers of Ontario for 7 years.

Impact: To say I understand Prince Edward County agriculture is an understatement. I live and breathe it. It comes natural to me and I want Prince Edward agriculture to thrive and to continue to be a backbone to our community. I would like to continue to see our farm land protected and respected. I would also like to continue to work with Tourism in PEC to help tourist understand the importance of farm machinery and sharing the roads with them.

Public Library Board
I love our library system here. They are doing fantastic work. I have been an active volunteer at the library. I have fundraised for them and I have had the honour to share some of my theatre expertise in a workshop program for youth in the County. My children are currently participating in 1000 books before kindergarten and my niece developed a love for coding and robots through summer programs.

Impact: I know and actively participate in the wonderful programs our library system offers and would love to help them flourish more than they already do. I would help them to continue to expand their programs and reach. I would also use my influence to help educate the public on all the amazing opportunities the library has to offer. Library’s can change lives. Library’s help educate youth and adults and provide a safe space for all. I couldn’t imagine our community without them.

Hasting and Prince Edward Board of Health
Health Care is a TOP priority for me. Having a background studying Biology at Queen’s University, I have an understanding of the health field and their mission to provide care for all. Some of my closest friends are nurses and health care providers in Hastings Prince Edward and I hear first hand accounts of their struggles. I hear about their burn outs, their pain, their struggles with staffing but most of all their love for their patients. I hear of parents struggling to find a family doctor for their families. I could have lost my own life recently if it was not for our emergency departments and that just fuels me to do more for them.

Impact: I would love to be a voice for healthcare workers and for others in the area. I would problem solve and collaborate with others to try and make our healthcare system one of the strongest in the province. I am passionate about doctor recruitment and retention. I’m interested in the idea of hiring more nurse practitioners to help balance the load of patients and an aging community. Most of all, I want to listen and support our health care providers and ask them how we could better support them. They are the ones that know, we just have to listen.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

If you look at the PEC voter turn out we are right at par with the rest of Ontario. We actually sit in the higher percentages of Ontario, with very few municipalities actually breaking a 60% turn out. Low voter turner out is not just a PEC; this is an Ontario and most likely a Canada issue. I believe people who aren’t voting just aren’t interested in municipal politics. I don’t think they understand the amount of impact it has on our everyday life.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

In the last Federal and Provincial election I was not excited to vote. I felt both times I was choosing between party leaders thinking: which one is the lesser evil. Even in a tough voting situation I still believe it is important to vote.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

I am one of the youngest candidates running and I’m hoping to stir up interest and passion among young adults. I want to campaign on multiple platforms and medians and be readily available to talk, text or email.

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Tom Harrison

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Public Library Board
2. Audit Committee
3. Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Public Library Board
One of my first campaign priorities is to emphasize the importance of children and youth. I want to maximize opportunities for them to succeed in Prince Edward. Our library system is one of the keys to making things possible for young people. This is why the Public Library Board is an excellent complement to my background. This includes my role as a teacher, as Chair of the Recreation Outreach Centre (the ‘ROC’), and my volunteer work to support and raise money for Prince Edward Libraries.

Impact: I will work to make library services more accessible, across PEC, directly and through online resources. As long-time volunteer, I will support fundraising efforts to ensure the Library continues to give to a wide range of opportunities for our youth, children and their families. I’m committed to making sure the current Main Branch expansion is completed, and to seeking enhancements to current services and availability generally. We have a very dynamic Library at present, with numerous programs to support our children and youth. I’m committed to making it even better!

Audit Committee
Another campaign priority I’ve highlighted is good governance. We must continue to employ best practices, in the transparent and accountable management of public funds. Having a background in public administration (MPA), being employed in the public sector, including briefly in municipal government, I’ve also had past responsibility to oversee multi-million budgets in my work with the Ontario government.

Impact: As the PEC Councilor for Athol, I will make a positive and informed contribution to the audit committee. This includes holding the line on taxes, effectively targeting expenditures. I will also seek new opportunities for savings, for example in working collaboratively with other local towns and cities or the Association of Municipalities (AMO) on things like procurement. I think we should also seek new revenues, through advocacy for better allocation of provincial and federal resources, for infrastructure generally, and around Sandbanks Park in particular.

Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation
Housing is one of my campaign priorities. My experience in this area includes time as a property manager in ‘Rent-Geared-To-Income’ (RGI) apartments, dealing with public housing, and to address landlord tenant issues. Our current housing crisis needs a more rounded public response, to include both the provincial and federal governments. As a former public servant, I have experience negotiating arrangements with other levels of government, which will be needed to help fix this problem. As current member and Vice-Chair of the Prince Edward Historical Advisory Committee (PEHAC), I’ve already been involved in local decisions related to affordable housing development in PEC, so have a good sense of the challenges ahead.

Impact: On the issue of housing, people need a place to call home. Places to live are now too expensive to rent or buy for most across Canada, and in much of the world. This is why I’ve made developing our municipal policy to better support housing a priority. We need to support our housing corporation, and innovate new approaches beyond, including reaching out to work collaboratively to address this global problem, with other levels of government with the private and non-profit sectors. We should increase our support to the Housing Corporation, giving them the tools they need to increase supply, and also to advocate for changes, to density restrictions and other bylaw enhancements, that will encourage building more houses and apartments so people can have a home for their families.

Housing is one of my campaign priorities. My experience in this area includes time as a property manager in ‘Rent-Geared-To-Income’ (RGI) apartments, dealing with public housing, and to address landlord tenant issues. Our current housing crisis needs a more rounded public response, to include both the provincial and federal governments. As a former public servant, I have experience negotiating arrangements with other levels of government, which will be needed to help fix this problem. As current member and Vice-Chair of the Prince Edward Historical Advisory Committee (PEHAC), I’ve already been involved in local decisions related to affordable housing development in PEC, so have a good sense of the challenges ahead.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

Civic engagement in multiple sectors, churches, voluntary associations, and even bowling leagues, has been declining for decades across North America. This phenomena pre-dates the internet, but online media and communication, may have also contributed more recently to peoples’ lack of involvement in the community. Local declines in election participation probably reflect these more general trends. Though local government is the one that affects most people most directly, it also tends to lack to partisan excitement, so that may have decreased attention and participation as well.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I’ve participated in every election in which I was eligible to vote, save one provincial contest, when an unexpected personal matter prevented me from getting to the polls in time.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

I’m listening to people, hoping to raise constructive ideas and focusing on the strengths everyone running for office in Athol brings to the table. I’ve reached out to the other candidates, wished them luck in their campaigns, and in engaging in our civil dialogue, about the issues that are important to our whole community. I’m looking forward to talking, individually and at things like all-candidates meetings, about the challenges we face, and how in the election, and beyond, we can address them together.

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Bob Rogers

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee
2. Heritage Advisory Committee
3. Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Owned and operated my farm for 39 years, a lifelong interest and study of Canadian history and architecture.

3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

I am well suited to be a voice for the farming community on Council. I would like to help to retain our history and community ‘feel’ that is so much a part of the County. I would like to work with the Housing Corporation to address the problems the community is facing with attainable housing.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

That was my biggest disappointment in the 2018 election, even more so than coming in 2nd place. Of the 1,653 eligible voters, 964 did not engage with the issues or the process. I would suggest that voter apathy and frustration with local government is the main reason for low voter turnout.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

When I did not like or trust any of the candidates. “Trying to pick the best of the worst.”

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

Encourage opportunities to expand candidates to get the best possible slate. Provide good government with excellent public engagement and communications. In the past election I attempted to analyse voter turnout however all election voting data was sealed and unavailable.

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Elis Ziegler

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Audit Committee
2. Community & Economic Development Commission
3. Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services Committee

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Audit Committee
I have professional experience reviewing financial and program effectiveness of publicly funded organizations both as a manager of those funds and from the grant-giving side.

Community & Economic Development Commission
I am self-employed in The County, and led the establishment of the Picton Town Hall Farmers’ Market. I have also previously created social enterprise programs in rural and semi-rural communities, so feel qualified to make contributions to this committee.

Prince Edward Lennox & Addington Social Services Committee
My thirty years of experience working in income security and poverty law would make me an ideal candidate to contribute effectively on this committee. I have actively taken an interest in housing and social service issues at the municipal level including the Housing Corporation, and support of LGBT and marginalized youth.

My County municipal experience includes:

• Treasurer, South Marysburgh Recreation Board: 2019 to Present.
• Chair, Picton Town Hall Board: 2019 to 2021.
• Secretary, PEC Affordable Housing Corporation: 2019 to 2020.

In addition, I have thirty years experience managing and developing programs that benefit communities with public funds. Those programs include income security, food security, social enterprise, and health systems. I have experience both as program manager and from a grant-giving perspective. I have sat on system planning tables which have reviewed community wellness from an ecological view toward coordinating and improving services to those who need them.

3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

As Councillor, my management experience in finance, small business ownership, and social services will help me to enhance our community. And generally, my presence and input will increase the diversity of perspective on Council, bringing fresh outlook and ideas to more fully represent the Athol and all of our County communities.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

Voter turn-outs have been disappointingly low in Ontario and across the country. On a ward-to-ward basis here in PEC, there can be different levels of voter turn-outs which are sometimes driven by a specific issue. In addition, the current voter list in Athol includes 41% of property owners who do not live in The County at all. If that number has been increasing in all wards, this alone would contribute to low voter turn-out.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I have always voted. Always.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

I am an active participant in Represent PEC, to encourage candidates to run, provide greater civic education, share knowledge about the election process — all as I have done in past federal and provincial elections. I am committed to working to encourage higher voter engagement and turn-out.

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Responses to Invitation 1

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County are being invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents

• • Sam Branderhorst
  • Tom Harrison
  • Bob Rogers

Sam Branderhorst

1. How long have you resided in the County?

Hi I’m Sam Branderhorst and I hope to be your next Athol Ward Councillor. I have lived in PEC for 24 years. I lived in Kingston for 3 years while attending Queen’s University. For 23 of the 24 years, I called PEC my home, I lived and currently am living in Athol Ward.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

See above.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

None.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

None.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

In 2016, I co-founded a not-for-profit theatre group, Shatterbox Theatre. I love teaching, coaching and working with different members of the PEC and surrounding community to bring excellent and accessible theatre to the County. We want to showcase local talent in a safe and open space with a goal to create dialogue. Shatterbox has worked with PEC Library’s to do a monologue series for youth during covid and has also helped with a number of fundraising events.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

I understand there is tension between “old” and “new” residents. However, I believe that every opinion and voice deserve a chance to be heard. We can learn something from everyone’s journeys and experiences. We all bring something unique to the table. I believe in strong and healthy conversations that are honest and respectful. It doesn’t matter who you are, I’m here for you.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

I don’t believe there is any specific role I would play when addressing tension between “old” and “new” county. I am here to represent everyone in Athol Ward and PEC on a whole. I will do so with patience, compassion and equality for all.

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Tom Harrison

1. How long have you resided in the County?

I’ve lived in the County for 18 years, moving here full-time in 2012. I chose to run as a first-time political candidate in the 2022 municipal election in my home ward of Athol, where I’ve resided on our farm just outside Cherry Valley for the past 9 years.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

See above.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

Since 2020 I’ve served as a municipal appointee to the Prince Edward Heritage Advisory Committee (PEHAC), where I currently serve as Vice-Chair, to provide advice to Council. As part of the work on this Committee, in 2021 I was appointed to the Boardwalk subcommittee, to work with the municipality and stakeholders, like the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, to get input on Picton Harbour development.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

I was not involved with any municipal committee before 2018.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental oganization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

I currently Chair the ‘ROC’, Prince Edward’s Youth Centre, and have been on the Board since 2017. I am also a member and volunteer with our local Historical Association and with County FM 99.3. I am a strong supporter of Prince Edward Libraries, where I regularly volunteer to support their fundraising efforts. In addition, I’m currently a public member of PFAC, the South Shore Joint Initiative, and the Regent Theatre.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

What constitutes ‘old’ or ‘new’ in the County depends on who you ask. I think whatever ‘tension’ exists is better thought of as a range of responses to all the challenges posed by the nature and pace of change that we are all dealing with in PEC. This challenge is an important issue that is usually acknowledged and often affects Council’s decisions.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

It’s the Councilor’s job to fairly represent the interests of the people in their Ward, and of everyone across the County, subject to the overall public interest.

In my view, whatever their differences, most are invested in the success of our community. Everyone shares a desire to keep PEC a good place for our families, friends and neighbours to live and work. We can’t stop change, but we can manage it more effectively to better serve our community.

A good Councilor will strike the balance to address these kinds of changes. To save the good of what has come before, weighing it reasonably against the risk and benefits of future change. The best public representatives do this collaboratively, by representing the diverse perspectives of residents, but also work with others on Council, businesses and other bodies like different levels of government.

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Bob Rogers

1. How long have you resided in the County?

49 years.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

39 years.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

Agricultural Advisory Committee, Chair for the last 2 years.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

None.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental oganization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

President of the Prince Edward Rod & Gun Club. 2nd Vice-Chair of Prince Edward Federation of Agriculture (PEFA).

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

It’s always been like that. It’s no different now than when I came here at 19 (the “Who is your Dad?” question). I think it’s the same in all small communities. Most people don’t like change, it’s natural. But once they get to know and trust new comers, it’s all good.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

I believe I have a foot in both camps. I came here as a newcomer, and became accepted and treated as a local for years. As far as council goes, it should not matter who or what is before it. Everyone MUST be treated equally, fairly and respectfully. Their decision MUST be based on , what is best for the community as a whole with the information that is before them.

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RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 6 – Sophiasburgh are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 6 – Sophiasburgh (1 office)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Paul DRAKE
Bill ROBERTS

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

In conversations with various municipal Councillors from across Ontario, and indeed across Canada, I’m confident that PEC has a relatively high level of community engagement for our permanent population of 25,704 (2021). Another likely measure of public engagement is our high level of volunteerism, which is essential to making The County livable, welcoming and creating community. However, not everyone participates.

As Sophiasburgh Councillor I provide a regular monthly F’Book accounting of what I believe to have been that month’s important developments and decisions of Council and related Shire Hall activities … and it is my intention to continue doing so, especially given the positive and appreciative feedback.

Going forward, Council and Shire Hall will certainly continue developing effective, accountable and transparent processes; and continue working for responsive, inclusive, participatory and representative outcomes.

We have also learned from experience, e.g., the past year’s proposed revisions to our procedural bylaw that initially suggested limiting deputations but was later much amended to reflect clear, concise and convincing public input opposed to any limitations.

One early initiative I’d like to see for our next Council is a comprehensive public process that answers two key questions: 1) What are the current barriers to improving public engagement for those who do not yet participate? and 2) What do PEC residents actually want/expect from Council (e.g., structure & size) to deliver better public engagement and decision-making?

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

We have been residents of Sophiasburgh for the better part of two decades.

I’ve led successful teams and companies over the years: for e.g., Managing Director Of TVOntario, President & CEO of VisionTV, and currently Vice-chair of WPBS-TV in New York State.

I hold a B.A. from Trent University, Masters of Business Administration (MBA) from St. Mary’s University, Maitrise Libre (M.A.) from the Sorbonne Nouvelle (Paris), Honorary Doctorate from the University of Winnipeg, and graduate certifications from Harvard, Notre Dame and Stockholm universities.

In my broadcasting role, I was awarded “Employer of the Year” by Canadian Women in Communications.

As our elected Councillor in Sophiasburgh, I have been a successful Queen’s Park advocate for our new hospital, serve on the Board of Hospice Prince Edward, played a key role in saving our Sophiasburgh school and creating The County Food Hub, successfully introduced our municipal “Living Wage Policy”, guided Truth & Reconciliation initiatives with the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte, worked to secure a farmer grants program, personally sourced free COVID-19 PPE for our local food banks and hospital, delivered warm meals to seniors and shut-ins, hosted the Ontario Farmland Trust, and am always keen for fundraiser “dunk tanks” & charitable events hosted by entities like Picton Canadian Tire and our Sophiasburgh Recreation Committee.

I’ve Chaired the Community & Economic Development Commission, secured half-load trucking relief for our farmers, personally funded the Downie-Wenjack Legacy Room at Books & Co. plus college bursaries for PEC high school graduates (food and farm innovation studies and Indigenous TRC studies).

I was a lead member of the PEC Affordable Housing Task Force, awarded the Paul Harris Fellowship Award by Picton Rotary, received a “Certificate of Support” from Community Care For Seniors, and … among other infrastructure improvements in Sophiasburgh … I assured a new dock & ramp at Northport Centennial Park (the next step is already underway with a comprehensive rehabilitation and naturalization of our park).

I’m an active donor to The County Food Hub, Kate’s Rest, our hospital’s “Monthly Donor Club”, 99.3 County FM, 100 People Who Care, County Kids Read, Food To Share, our PEC Public Library, and an enthusiastic participant in the Quinte Region Drowning Prevention Coalition … amongst others.

Coming out of this pandemic, experience and expertise will be critical to a robust economic, social and community recovery.

The County has serious infrastructure issues that must be addressed: be it traditional infrastructure such as County Road 49, or digital infrastructure to close rural cell gaps and provide high-speed rural connectivity, or social infrastructure to best support social mobility and economic opportunity for all (I’d like to see 750+ affordable housing units in the next year), or health infrastructure as in exploring the potential for nurse practitioners, or community infrastructure in balancing growth and tourism with livability for residents.

My track record speaks to responsiveness and public engagement, my actions champion an inclusive economy, and my commitment is to align that complex infrastructure renewal with responsible and compassionate decision-making.

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were also asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider their ratings alongside their explanations.

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Paul DRAKE
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Bill ROBERTS
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Sustainable community.
The Vital Signs 2022 Report looks to measure what matters and inform positive, “sustainable change”. There is much to be considered under any of the key themes … such as under “Good health & well-being” we should certainly be increasing & empowering our complement of nurse practitioners, a position I’ve been advocating for sometime; under “Inclusive Economy” we should be building on the successful Motion I brought forward in partnership with the Ontario Living Wage Network; and on Food Security we should be building on the success of our Country Food Hub (Sophiasburgh Central School) … “the kitchen that saved our rural school” … a bold community idea I was honoured to be part of. But perhaps the “Sustainable Community” approach pulls all these and more together under something of an umbrella … and in that context affordable/attainable housing may be key. The County has already put a promising PEC Affordable Housing Corporation in place, and Council should be pushing for 500-750 new affordable housing units in the next 12-18 months. Council should also be embracing our public imagination and input, as in broadening our scope to include co-operative housing options, and partnering with innovative homelessness successes such as Kate’s Rest on Big Island (there are indicators that homelessness in PEC may have increased by 30% between 2018 and 2021). The proposed capital facilities bylaw to encourage private sector and not-for-profit affordable housing development should be fast-tracked; and our current secondary suites pilot project should become a permanent program to ease urgent rental and overall housing shortages. While we’ve been proactive at Council/Shire Hall on new worker-related housing, we should be exploring other bylaw changes … compliant with our new Official Plan … to allow for more attainable housing, e.g. tiny homes. As Vital Signs asserts, “27% of businesses surveyed in 2019 were unable to hire potential employees due to a lack of affordable housing options”. Also, as a quid pro quo for our new e-permitting software implementation to both accelerate and automate the building permit process, Council should be assertive in requiring attainable housing units within new developments. In addition, a fair and focused enforcement of our new STA rules is required.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Neither disagree or agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

That said, federal and provincial legislatures record how each elected representative votes on legislation. However, they are also disciplined into voting along rigid party lines and non-legislative votes are frequently “by voice votes” ruled by the Speaker. Our municipal Council is blessed with less formality and with no political party “whipping”, and any Councillor can (at any time) call for a recorded vote if s/he determines it is a matter of public controversy & therefore in the public interest to have that vote documented. The wrinkle here is that what is deemed to be in the critical public interest for one Councillor may be considered relatively banal by another Councillor. So far, especially with public streaming & recording of Council meetings, our current system seems to work just fine. But if there is an actual issue with constituents not knowing where their Council representatives stand on particular issues (and that has not been my experience), the subject of a procedural amendment on recorded votes should come before Committee of the Whole for discussion and a staff report on best municipal practises.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

I’ve remained active and engaged with APTN, the Black Screen Office, Accessible Media Inc., ReelAbilities Film Festival, and others committed to diversity and inclusion. In the past I’ve been part of innovative & wonderful initiatives such as Innoversity and imagineNative. It is a lifelong learning project (and often a challenging one) filled with joy and discovery; and daily application.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

None.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

(43) The UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples is an important framework document, especially for national governments. At our PEC municipal Council level, I introduced the first National Indigenous People’s Day proclamation on June 23, 2020. In a related context Council also adopted, in consultation with our First Nations neighbours, a Traditional Land Acknowledgement which is now part of our official proceedings. Moreover, I was pleased and honoured to have led the PEC repatriation process for Foresters Island to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte (MBQ). Also, our municipal Planning/Development procedures now include consultation and outreach to not only the MBQ but to Alderville, Curve Lake, Hiawatha, and Huron-Wendat First Nations. (47) The Doctrine of Discovery & Terra Nullius should be repudiated. I remain hopeful that this renunciation will be forthcoming. (57) Since 1971 and my first radio documentary with Chief Billy Diamond (Mistassini Cree & The James Bay Power Project), public eduction in general has been a preoccupation. In the early days, I was part of the funding process of the Northern Native Broadcast Access project (the CBC played a big role), which eventually lead to involvement in the Aboriginal Peoples Broadcast Network (APTN), with which I still have occasional podcast engagements. A little more recently, I was a founding patron of imagineNative. But most recently … to continue the education thread … I was an advocate on the National Screen Institute’s Board of Directors to create a full Indigenous media program, funded a Truth & Reconciliation bursary for PECI high school graduates to pursue TRC/Indigenous studies, and sponsored the Downie-Chanie Wenjack Legacy Room at Picton’s Books & Co. With regard to “public servant” education, I can confirm that Shire Hall offered a “Canadian Indigenous Culture Training Program – TRC Edition” (May, 2021) through the Northern College of Applied Arts & Technology to all Councillors (and I believe staff but not 100% certain) … it was a good and timely course which I appreciated.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Neither disagree or agree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

It is my impression that the subject matter of #3 above is forthcoming in the next term of Council; and will be a report with “best practise” recommendations from our Clerk.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

I don’t foresee having to declare a conflict of interest. In particular, neither I nor my family have pecuniary, non-pecuniary or general conflict of interest concerns.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Disagree.

The province’s Municipal Conflict on Interest Act is robust and functions well. PEC Council already has a Code of Conduct; and an Integrity Commissioner. The Annual Registry on the PEC website provides additional transparency and disclosure. In itself, “non-pecuniary” is too broad a term that could be abused and discourage beneficial political participation. Perhaps, along with some researched & common-sense guardrail protections to avoid that potential abuse, the subject could be reviewed at Committee of the Whole (COTW) next term. But the disquiet of unintended (and negative) consequences is a real one. In my experience, Council members have been candid and forthcoming with the Conflict of Interest tools currently in place.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Disagree.

Similar concerns in 3 above. Plus, how far afield into the proverbial Family Tree would this apply? The potentially vast Family Forest? And what kind of unproductive mischief and trolling could result? Is there compelling (or any) evidence that what we currently have doesn’t work in the public interest? What exactly is the problem we’re trying to solve? Having said that, and remaining cautious about the well-paved road of good intentions routinely slamming into the ugly wall of unintended consequences, perhaps an invitation to the City of Kingston CAO to address our COTW on their motivation & experience would be educational for all concerned: in particular the Kingston Code of Conduct’s sections 11 and 12.

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

I don’t have any “most difficult” questions as yet. Most of the queries are about items such as: When will my road get fixed? How does MPAC relate to our property taxes?, What is the difference between social housing and affordable housing? Will this new VisitPEC manage tourism better? Where are we on the new hospital? For some land-owners, the costs of severances and planning (e.g. Quinte Conservation) has come up. So they are factual exchanges and not that difficult.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

N/A.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

Hypothetical questions really amount to conjecture. But if this current Council faced the exact same facts as presented in October 2021, my hunch is that it would again be a unanimous vote. However, the owners of Picton Terminals subsequently withdrew their appeal to the Ontario Land Tribunal’s Local Planning Appeal Tribunal citing jurisdictional issues. Specifically setting up the potential for a legal dispute: “Is Picton Terminals federal jurisdiction or provincial/municipal jurisdiction? Or somehow concurrently both?” The County then responded that we “are working quickly to investigate options”. Litigious, complex and dynamic matters are often pursued in Closed Sessions pursuant to Section 239(e) of the Municipal Act.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

Healthcare Initiatives
We have a healthcare crisis. And it’s largely a staffing crisis; most of it due to a dire shortage of nurses. The County and Council have been commendable in stepping up to meet the challenge with $150,00 dedicated to 2022 doctor recruitment, and a commitment to continue this annual doctor program until 2026 … plus engaging a professional doctor recruiter. But that still doesn’t address the 94% of nurses that are grappling with burnout and the 50% that are considering leaving their jobs next year. Nurse Practitioners have completed Masters degree level training and are fully able to diagnose and treat illnesses, do referrals, prescribe medication, and do multiple tasks/procedures similar to a doctor. They have hospital privileges like a doctor. If nurses are leaving the profession in droves, what about sensible bursaries to County nurses (or other nurses that want to make PEC home) to upgrade their skills and rebalance their work-life? Wouldn’t a Nurse Practitioner primary care clinic on Main Street be worth exploring? Nurse Practitioners could also absorb some of the huge patent load placed on our County doctors and fill a gap for those who can’t find a family doctor. The average annual pay for a Nurse Practitioner is $150,000 year, about $85,000 less than a family medicine physician. Lastly, I just think that financial incentives alone are increasingly not enough … advancement, education, social mobility, and life/work balance are important. And nurses are absolutely key.

Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure
We’re in tough on water and wastewater. Rescue plans, studies, ad hoc committees, dipping into reserves, and steady cost increases. The safety of our water is fully (even super) compliant … but it’s increasingly unaffordable, a pressure on fixed income individuals, and the six separate water systems (and two different wastewater systems) are logically inefficient. Add growth to the mix, and even with well-deserved and award-winning accomplishments with developers in Wellington, we might admit that it’s not a structure to be recommended. I’ve been suggesting for a while now that we should consider tapping into PEC’s volunteer expertise … especially among the 4,000 or so actual water customers … and explore the feasibility and potential benefits of a PEC Water/Wastewater Authority or Commission made up predominantly of users who pay. Other rural Ontario municipalities have gone this route and cut costs, let’s at least examine why and how.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

PEC Poverty Reduction Strategy
Poverty is an issue in PEC. 10% of our friends and neighbours are living in relative poverty, 11% our our kids, 26% of our single parent families are living in poverty. Vital Signs (by The County Foundation) has reported an increasing income disparity/gap, with The County falling further behind the median provincial income. Our dependance on government transfers (like ODSP) is also high. I successfully introduced a “Living Wage” motion at Council (with the help of the Ontario Living Wage Network), but I think we could do more. In a community of bounty, and an average MLS home listing of a million dollars or more, we should do more. I shudder to think what the situation of our low-income residents would be if it weren’t for our not-for-profit and volunteer organizations like the Prince Edward Learning Centre, Kinsmen, Rotary, Food To Share, Women’s Institute, library, food banks, and many others. Shire Hall has done a great deal to mitigate County poverty with investments in social and family services, transportation, food security, etc., but we don’t have an actual coherent strategy. So, I think we should; especially since Covid-19 has intensified economic disparity. And we need not reinvent the wheel, many Canadian municipalities (big and small) already have such comprehensive strategies for reducing poverty, increasing equity, and formally endorsing a culture of caring.

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Responses to Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Community & Economic Development Commission
2. Police Services Board
3. Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Community & Economic Development Commission
I’m a Past-Chair of the Community & Economic Development Commission (CEDC) and led the reform of the CEDC into a more transparent, accountable and representative entity. As the former Managing Director of TVOntario and former President & CEO of VisionTV, I know how to read a balance sheet and manage/encourage people. And I have extensive not-for-profit governance & Board of Directors experience; along with a Masters of Business Administration (MBA). Coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic, we need an activist CEDC with on-board expertise to knowledgeably address community and economic recovery & measurable progress … be it traditional infrastructure, or digital infrastructure to close rural cell gaps and provide high-speed rural connectivity, or social infrastructure to better support social mobility and economic opportunity for all, or health infrastructure as in exploring the potential for nurse practitioners. The CEDC can be a valuable post-pandemic accelerator on these and other fronts.

Impact: Revitalize the CEDC as a helpful community accelerator assuring equitable & effective post-Covid-19 pandemic recovery and municipal vitality.

Police Services Board
I’ve had the past experience working with public safety & security officials at all three levels of government & in professional roles. And in the last years I’ve appreciated volunteering with our local OPP police services on a number of good works initiatives, e.g. in the “Keep Kids Warm” program that supports working families and those in need by providing new, free snowsuits & winter clothing for children and youth; and in the Quinte Region Drowning Prevention Coalition (which won a national award this year). The Police Services Board serves as an independent civilian oversight body and does its best work as a constructive intermediary between our OPP leadership and our PEC community; and in facilitating constant improvement with regard to community-policing best practices. My experience and relationships should be helpful in achieving those goals. Engaged oversight of how policing is provided in our community is vital to our safety and wellbeing, and it need not be inherently confrontational.

Impact: Assure best practises in community policing, build collaborative relationships, provide diligent & informed oversight.

Prince Edward County Affordable Housing Corporation
I’ve been active on the affordable housing and homelessness front since before my time on Council. I was an active participant on the Affordable Housing Working Group that gave rise to our current PEC Affordable Housing Corporation. And I’ve taken it upon myself to meet with stakeholders, do on-site visits of affordable housing options such as reputable & local tiny home builders/suppliers, and provide active support to the vulnerable seeking shelter.

For example, my engagement with Kate’s Rest on Big Island, the only residential and supportive homeless shelter in Quinte, is well-known. Indeed, Kate’s Rest is now an accredited charitable foundation recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA), with an expert and autonomous Board of Directors, and receiving support from not only private donors but also from our Sophiasburgh community … including the Women’s Institute and Friendship United Church … and from The County-at-large as in Prince Edward & Addington Social Services (PELASS), Food To Share, and the Kinsmen.

Impact: Push hard for 500+ affordable units within the next 12 months.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

I was Acclaimed last municipal election, so perhaps this doesn’t directly apply. But it is a bit of a puzzler, since communities with older populations tend to have higher voter turnout … PEC is an older-age municipality so you might expect a higher voting rate. Proximity to Belleville may account for the low (lowest in The County at 37.6%) number in Ameliasburgh. However, PEC is not alone, e.g. Hamilton has had a below 40% turnout for at least a decade … and we are well above 40%. Indeed, across all Ontario since 1982, municipal voter turnout hasn’t varied much from 45% (highest,1994) to 43% (lowest, 2003).

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I have never wavered on exercising my democratic right (and perhaps obligation) to vote in an election.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

Knocking on doors to get the vote out is a basic first step. Actively encouraging younger potential voters to vote is another. More candidate information (like this platform) should be helpful too. Then keep pushing for expanded voting options to make the process more accessible. Looking to the future, perhaps talking with others now to test targeting certain PEC low-turnout polls, or “vote anywhere polls” regardless of which ward you live in. Respectful discourse in election materials, candidate meetings, interviews, etc., should also help in 2022. If part of our voter turnout problem is general political cynicism and discouragement, this last point is hugely important.

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Responses to Invitation 1

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents

• Bill Roberts

Bill Roberts

1. How long have you resided in the County?

My wife Sharon and I have been part of The County in one way or another since the 1970s.

Sharon as a public school teacher in Quinte for over 30 years; and me more itinerant, beginning with my late friend John Harney when he was a Member of Parliament (MP) and I was involved in his Ottawa work.

John (also known as Jean-Paul) was an avid sailer, an active County resident, and a joyful member of our PEC yacht club … his deep affection for The County was infectious and I’ve obviously succumbed.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

We’ve been in Sophiasburgh for about 20 years now.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

During the current term I served on the Sophiasburgh Recreation Committee, sat on the Nominating Committee for Council, represented Council as a founding member of the Quinte Region Drowning Prevention Coalition, continued my “Monthly Club” involvement with our Prince Edward Memorial Hospital Foundation “Back The Build”, and was a Director on the Interim Board of Directors for the new “VisitPEC” destination marketing and management organization.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

In the previous term of Council, I was Chair of the Community & Economic Development Commission (refocusing the CEDC on performance metrics and measurable, transparent goals; and adding youth representation), served on the Ad Hoc Working Group that developed a grants/assistance program for young and new farmers, was a member of the PEC Affordable Housing Task Force (which culminated in Council’s creation this term of the PEC Affordable Housing Corporation), represented Council on the working group that prevented the closure of Sophiasburgh Central School and created The County Food Hub (“the kitchen that saved a rural school”), and was active on Council’s Museum Advisory Committee (advocating for more inclusive history and engagement as per our Indigenous neighbours).

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

My membership and involvement has included: being a Director on the Hospice Prince Edward Foundation Board; sourcing and distributing extensive, free PPE for our County hospital & food banks during the height of COVID-19; volunteering with Community Care for Seniors, Kinsmen and others to deliver food to shut-ins, seniors, and the homeless through the pandemic; supporting numerous PEC community and charitable entities & events through donations, labour, and even a Northport Park “dunk-tank” experience; through The Country Foundation, personally provided County high school graduate bursaries for college/university studies in Indigenous Studies and in Farm Innovation/Agricultural Studies; and participated actively in the “100 People Who Care” program (distributing between $9,000 to $12,000 four times a year to PEC registered charities).

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

Sophiasburgh is a diverse ward and home to a generous mix of what is often referred to as “new and old County”. And I’ve done my best to listen to and represent each resident in Sophiasburgh; most often, this is in the course of resolving or clarifying County policy, practises, and/or bylaws, frequently pointing out jurisdictional differences among three levels of government … or simply addressing an operational oversight.

Consequently, the vast majority of these resident matters never come before Council, Committee of the Whole, or Planning … let alone as “old versus new” folks.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

When proposals, files and motions do come to Council, obviously I’m informed by my Sophiasburgh constituents (“old and new”) where, when, and how they might be impacted.

But there are other lenses too …

For example my ongoing involvement with entities outside The County has an impact on my Shire Hall decision-making as with the Ontario Living Wage Coalition being my impetus to secure that formal standing for the municipality … Accessible Media Inc. and my advocacy for accessibility provisions with in our STA rules … with the Aboriginal Peoples Television Network and my Council engagement to return Foresters Island to the Mohawks of the Bay of Quinte … and with the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and my insistence on a robust & supportive PEC Council resolution on Ukraine (which eventually became formal policy for the FCM itself).

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

But I get your point about “tensions” … and there are often tough decisions to be made around the Horseshoe.

And in those moments I’d like to think that, in the end, I’m processing all inputs and deciding what is fair and benefits The County as a whole.

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

Modelling is often important, especially when it’s positive and empowering.

Two possible “models” come to mind in Sophiasburgh Ward 6, that may point a way forward to “addressing any tension between old and new”.

Firstly, the creation of The County Food Hub and saving our Sophiasburgh Central School was an idea born in our family sunroom.

And from the outset it was organically inclusive of highly collaborative “new” and “old” leadership, dedicated to common purpose … plus the respect and reciprocal trust that focused work engendered.

Secondly, Kate’s Rest on Big Island.

The local community support and sustenance for that (only) supportive housing for the homeless and marginalized has included a joyful cross-fertilization by our 103 year-old Demorestville Women’s Institute and much newer organizations like Food To Share.

There are some common threads there that need more embroidery going forward; and I’ll certainly continue to needle away on that score.

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RSVPs

With the aim of increasing voter turnout in the upcoming municipal election, candidates for Mayor and Ward Councilor in Prince Edward County were invited to share their thoughts on a wide range of issues once a week.

Responses from candidates for Ward 7 – Hillier are here:

• Responses to Invitation 8
• Accountability & transparency
• Responses to Invitation 7
• Responses to Invitation 6
• Responses to Invitation 5
• Responses to Invitation 4
• Responses to Invitation 3
• Responses to Invitation 2
• Responses to Invitation 1

Respondents

	Invitations
Candidates for Ward 7 – Hillier (1 office)	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Chris BRANEY
Dee HAZELL
Paul VANHAARLEM

Responses to Invitation 8

Candidates received Invitation 8 on October 5, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 17, 2022. Candidates who wanted their responses to be published before advance voting started were to forward them by October 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook beginning October 13, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. Please share how you would enhance Council’s approach to public engagement.

Low voter turnout has been a problem in our municipal elections. I have to say, the all candidates meetings I have been to so far this election season have been standing room only. Perhaps our voter turnout will be better this time around. One of the ways to continue to encourage public engagement is to encourage the use of Have Your Say on the County website. We also need to engage the younger constituents on social media. I believe in the face to face opportunity for engagement and would hold monthly town halls for folks to ask questions and share their concerns. Having council meetings alternate between Shire Hall and Wellington would make the meetings more accessible.

2. Please share why you’re running and why voters should support you in the municipal election.

I am running for council to address the issues and concerns that are important to me and the community. These concerns include our healthcare crisis, the environment, loss of farmland and wild spaces and the affordable housing crisis.

Since moving to the county in 1998, I have worked as a nurse in both the hospital and primary care settings. I have also taught nursing locally and was a forensic on call nurse for over a decade. This 30 plus years in various healthcare sectors has given me special insight into our healthcare system and what works and what doesn’t work. We are in the midst of a healthcare crisis here in PEC. I know my past experience will help us to find creative and workable solutions.

Currently the world is living through an environmental crisis. I believe we as a community can do many things to help our earth survive and recover from the climate emergency. Every decision council makes must take into consideration the environmental impact now and into the future.

I started farming 12 years ago. The rural concerns I understand. We are losing farmland and wild spaces at an unsustainable rate. How do we preserve our agricultural heritage and protect and care for our diminishing farmland and wild spaces? We must use our land wisely not just for now but for the effects it will have generations from now.

Another concern of mine is the lack of affordable housing here in the county. We need to get creative to solve the housing issue and we need to do this together. We need to figure out how to house more people without encroaching on our agricultural areas.

I have been involved with many volunteer organizations over the years. I volunteer at the local humane society and at the Alternatives for Women as a board member and chair of the housing committee. My volunteer work in the county included work with the Sexual Assault Centre for Quinte and District, the Hillier Rate Payers Association and Friends of Hillier Beaches and Dunes. I sat on numerous boards and working groups over the years in Ontario and while living in Northern Ireland. This volunteer work has opened my eyes and heart to the struggles and joys of neighbours, friends and strangers alike. Over that time I have become an advocate for those with no voice or influence. What all this board work has taught me is to work with teams and groups, alone and with individuals. I know about governance and committee work, I know what make a committee function well and how to build on that. I know about building consensus to make strong and shared decisions. Working in healthcare, I have learned to make quick and life saving decisions at the bedside and decisions that will affect outcomes years down the road.

I have sat in and spoken at numerous council and planning meetings over the past two decades. I know it will be entirely different sitting on the other side of the table but I know I am up for the challenge.

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Accountability & transparency

Three Invitations asked candidates to rate six proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency:

• Invitation 4 – Additional conflicts of interest (2 proposals)
• Invitation 5 – Transparency and privacy (3 proposals)
• Invitation 7 – Recorded votes (1 proposal)

We have categorized candidates’ ratings of these proposals [Not in favour | Neither | In favour] below. Candidates were also asked to explain their ratings and we encourage everyone to consider their ratings alongside their explanations.

Table 1. Candidates’ ratings of proposals to enhance Council’s accountability and transparency.

Chris BRANEY
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Dee HAZELL
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.
Paul VANHAARLEM
Proposition	Not in favour	Neither	In favour
1. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.
2. A Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.
3. A public register of requests for County records.
4. The routine disclosure of County records.
5. The active dissemination of County records.
6. A Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.

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Responses to Invitation 7

Candidates received Invitation 7 on October 3, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 11, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 12, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. For any one of [the nine themes covered in the 2022 VitalSigns Report], please outline a course of action that Council should consider to reinforce successes and/or address challenges identified in the 2022 VitalSigns Report.

Good health & well-being.
Good health and well being is a very large and diverse topic. According to the World Health Organization, when we talk about health and well being we are not just talking of physical health and health care we are talking about all the influences that affect that health. Influences including education, nutritious food and a healthy environment, employment and an income that is sufficient to meet our basic needs. Health and well being is tied to our social and economic position in the community, meaning the worse our economic position, the poorer our health. Research shows that the social determinants can be more important than health care or lifestyle choices in influencing health. These determinats of health can account for between 30-55% of health outcomes.

What this means is if we work on eradicating poverty, we will improve health outcomes. Our affordable housing initiatives, our food programs and our educational system all have a role in health outcomes. These initiatives and institutions must continue to be supported.

We do need access to quality and timely healthcare The building of the new PECM hospital is a start to providing quality acute healthcare. We need staff though to staff the hospital. We are in the process of building rental housing for medical professionals. We have also hired a physician recruiter. What about all the other staff that are required, nurses, physiotherapists, dietitians, x ray technicians to name a few. Back in the “old” days every hospital had a nursing residence to house nursing staff. Newly graduated healthcare professionals will never be able to afford to purchase a house in the county. Perhaps re purposing the old hospital to provide temporary housing for incoming healthcare professionals of all stripes might be a solution to our housing crisis as it relates to healthcare professionals.

One of the bottlenecks in our health care system occurs in the hospital system. We always have patients in the hospital waiting for a long term care bed. How do we get more long term care facilities in our community or increase the capacities of the institutions we have? Increased capacity is happening at HJ McFarland Memorial Home, how about the others? How can the municipality help this sector grow? Many seniors would like to stay in their own homes as they age. This requires supportive services. The home care system is already stretched to its limit. How does the county support the organizations that support our seniors?

Our collective mental health has deteriorated during Covid. Before Covid there was already a significant wait time for mental health services. We have been using telehealth to provide mental health support and this needs to continue and grow. Only one in two youth reported good mental health. This is disturbing and unacceptable. Why are we failing our youth so and what can we do differently? Perhaps moving mental health services and school nurses back into the schools might help the situation. We need to understand why our youth are suffering. Have we asked them? If not we need to. Our youth are the experts on themselves.

2. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following proposal: “Council should adopt a Procedure By-law that requires that all members’ votes on motions be recorded.”

Neither disagree or agree.

3. Please explain your rating.

It all depends on the vote. If it is close vote, it is important that it be recorded. If there is a dissenting voice that also should be recorded. For all unanimous votes there is no need. Recorded votes do take extra time often in an already packed agenda.

4. Please share examples of how you’ve been trying to learn more about diversity, equity and inclusion. What have been the biggest changes in your thinking? How are you applying what you’ve learned in your work in the County?

The Black Lives Matter movement and Every Child Matters movement made me pause. There is so much in our history that is ugly and has been forgotten or ignored. The above two movements have brought some of that to the for front. The people that are affected directly by the issue are the experts on the issues. What I have learned is to listen to the stories, ask questions but most importantly listen. There is no disagreeing with someones experience. Even though we may not understand their story, it is not our place to ever deny them their experience. I recognize there is a lack of diversity in our various bodies of power. We need to make room for those voices.

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Responses to Invitation 6

Candidates received Invitation 6 on September 23, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by October 3, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on October 5, 2022.

Respondents

None.

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Responses to Invitation 5

Candidates received Invitation 5 on September 20, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 26, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 28, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following:

“Council should adopt a Strategic Initiative to respond to [the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s] Calls to Action 43, 47 and 57.”

Agree.

2. Please explain your rating.

The country has been far too slow to begin to put into effect the various calls to action. I certainly agree it is time we move forward. Some of the Calls to Action are far reaching and very involved but some of them are not. I think, as a municipality we should do what we can. To educate all the public servants in the county is something we could definitely do. This could happen rather quickly. I do suggest the new council put this on the agenda for this year once it is sitting again. Some of the articles in the United Nations Declaration of Indigenous People are so basic they should have been in place years ago. Every region and level of government should be able to say yesterday indigenous peoples can live a life free from racism, are free to organize themselves and have the right to self determination with no assimilation.

3. Please rate your level of agreement (Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree) with the following statements:

“The cost of maintaining a public register of requests for County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the routine disclosure of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

“The cost of the active dissemination of County records would likely outweigh its benefits.”
Disagree.

4. For any one of your ratings above, please describe your analysis of the different costs and benefits that lead to your conclusion (max. 500 words).

There are many records that are already public. Any public meeting can be accessed through the YouTube channel or you can find an electronic copy on line. I don’t think there is a need to keep a record of who accesses what, just make all public records accessible to the public. Municipal government should be transparent and having public records public and available to all of us should be a matter of course.

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Responses to Invitation 4

Candidates received Invitation 4 on September 14, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 19, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 20, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. Please identify and describe the general nature of any conflict of pecuniary interest – real or apparent, direct or indirect – that you would foresee needing to declare, given the sort of conflicts that have been disclosed by your predecessors in 2020-2022. [We later clarified the reference to 2020-2022 here. As the preamble re: “Pecuniary Conflicts of Interest” notes, these three years are the ones reported in the County’s online Annual Registries of members’ disclosoure of conflicts of interest.]

I am a volunteer at two County based organisations that may in the future, apply to and/or recieve County support.

2A & 3. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses non-pecuniary conflicts of interests.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

Council needs to be open and transparent. I would hope that any mayor or council member seeing a monetary or otherise benefit to themselves or their family (immediate or extended) would make that known to the decision makeing body and step aside.

2B & 4. Please indicate your agreement with the following statement: “The County should adopt a Council Code of Conduct that addresses the pecuniary conflicts of interests of a family member who is not a parent, spouse or child.” Please elaborate.

Agree.

[As above]

5. In the voter’s own words, please identify the most difficult-to-answer question that you’ve been asked in your campaign.

Do these questions count as my campaign? Some of these questions are a challenge as my knowledge at this time, is limited. I have begun my door to door campaign and there have not been many questions. The two concerns I have met are the lack of family physicians and lack of affordable housing.

6. Please explain why this question was the most difficult-to-answer.

These are difficult to answer questions as the issues are complex and multifaceted. The issues have been going on for a while and whatever we have been doing is not working. Many of us, myself included are not fully aware of all the work that has been done to solve these problems.

7. On October 21, 2020, Council voted unanimously to deny a rezoning application from Picton Terminals to bring in container and cruise ships. If presented with a similar vote today, how would you vote (deny or approve)? Why?

I am not sure letting in cruise ships disembark travelers to the downtown Picton area would be a good idea. It would be good for a few businesses but the numbers of people in our small town would overwhelm it. We all ready have a very busy downtown in the summer months so much so that locals avoid it due to congestion. Hundreds of added visitors all at once could overwhelm the area.

Cargo ships would add a whole different set of problems. Cargo would be moved on trucks and our roads are already congested. The trucks would have to move out of the area by 49 as moving that many trucks through our downtown would cause too much disruption. The unloading of cargo is noisy and dusty and therefore create noise and air pollution. There is also the potential for spillage and contamination to our environment. The ships unload when they arrive and that would be at any time of the day or night. The noise could be 24/7. There are many in our neighbourhoods who would find that too disruptive.

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Responses to Invitation 3

Candidates received Invitation 3 on September 7, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 12, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 14, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. Please rate your overall satisfaction with each of the following strategic initiatives:

Strategic Initiative	Very dissatisfied	Dissatisfied	Neither	Satisfied	Very satisfied
By-law and policy review
Downtown revitalization
Healthcare initiatives
Municipal Accommodation Tax
PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Short-Term Accommodations
Tourism management
Understanding Growth and Water/wastewater infrastructure

2. Please explain two of your ratings.

PEC Affordable Housing Corp.
Affordable housing is sorely lacking in many parts of Ontario and we are no different. There are many parts of the Affordable Housing initiative that are wonderful. It will take time to increase the housing stock that is affordable. I suggest one of the ways to increase the affordable stock is to work closely with developers. This is mentioned in the affordable housing initiatives. I believe we need to strongly encourage the developers to build the type of housing we actually need. I see lots of luxury everything being advertised and built. I don’t see any developers advertising or building at the other end of the spectrum. I think more small and starter homes and higher density may be the way to go. As a community, we need to work to ensure everyone has a safe and affordable place to live.

Tourism management
Tourism is tough. We need tourism. Tourists have been part of the fabric of The County for generations and will continue to be. There is a good portion of the population that relies on tourism for their livelihood yet many of us who live here find the number of tourists in the town and villages almost overwhelming. I know many locals heave a sigh of relief come labour day when we can move about our town and county with some measure of ease. At the same time, I have heard many folks who rely on tourism wanting to expand the tourist season as it is hard to survive on just the summer visitors. There needs to be a better balance. We need enough tourists to support the established tourist venues yet not so many that the residents can’t live in their own community.

3. Please outline one County-wide strategic initiative that is missing from the above and should be adopted by Council.

Environment
One of the county wide initiatives that is missing is the environment. It is one of the pillars but is not mentioned specifically in the strategic initiatives mentioned above. I am sure council takes the environment into account in its decisions but it needs to be clearly stated. The environment needs to be at the forefront of all our decisions given the climate crisis we are in. When I look around the county, much of what I see is business as usual. An example of this is housing. I see houses being built that look just like the houses we have been building for decades. Now, I know looks can be deceiving. I hope they are being built with more sustainable materials and methods using renewable resources. I hope their heating and cooling systems are efficient in energy and materials. I hope that new buildings take into account their surroundings and encourage landscaping or building placement that uses trees to shade houses in the summer and block the winds in the winter. There are so many little things we can do that will add up to a significant change over time. I hope the environment is taken into account in the decisions of council and I do think it needs to be stated clearly in our strategic initiatives so it does not become an afterthought.

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Responses to Invitation 2

Candidates received Invitation 2 on August 31, 2022 and were asked to forward their responses by September 6, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on September 7, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. Please identify two internal and one external committee or board listed above whose areas of municipal responsibility would showcase your skills and interests in municipal government.

1. Agricultural Advisory Committee
2. Environmental Advisory Committee
3. Hasting and Prince Edward Board of Health

2. For these three committees or boards, please highlight your skills and experience (work, volunteer, life) in those areas of municipal responsibility.
3. For these three committees or boards, please describe the impact you’d hope to make in those areas of municipal responsibility.

Agricultural Advisory Committee
I have been farming my land for almost two decades. I have personal experience in the day to day running of a farm. My family have farmed in this county for generations and I also spent my summers working on a dairy farm lodge in the Eastern Townships. I sat on provincial agricultural committees including Alpaca Ontario and the Alpaca Fleece Cooperative of Ontario. I currently chair the Alpaca Ontario fibre committee and I am the president of the Alpaca Fleece Cooperative of Ontario. I also attended the University of Guelph in the Agricultural Sciences program in the early 80s. I have solid experience that would be an asset to this committee.

Environmental Advisory Committee
The environment has been a concern of mine for decades and I was green before it was even a concept. I understand how important the natural environment is to our survival and know that we can make decisions as individuals and a community that will and do impact the climate around us. I have taken many workshops and lectures on various aspects of living with a smaller carbon footprint. I designed and built our home using alternative and environmentally sustainable products and techniques. We live in a straw bale house and our power comes from solar and wind. Our primary heat source is a very efficient wood fired masonry stove fueled with harvested dead fall from around our farm. I fully understand the individual impact our day to day decisions have on the environment around us. I know there are many actions we can take as a municipality that would affect the environment in a positive way.

Hasting and Prince Edward Board of Health
I have worked in the health care field for over 30 years. I have worked in both the tertiary and primary care sectors of our health care system. I have experienced both sides of our healthcare system as a professional health care worker and a patient. Most of my experience of healthcare has been in Ontario but I have worked in the United States and volunteered in health care in Northern Ireland, India, Toronto and right here in the Quinte region. What this experience has given me is a broad view of different healthcare systems and approaches, what works and what doesn’t. I have a masters degree in nursing and during my studies learned much about the social determinants of health. Housing, nutrition, exercise, activity, community and last but not least, healthcare affect health outcomes. As a community there are so many things we can do to improve the health of our community. I have the knowledge and experience in a variety of areas of health education and care to be an asset to this Board.

4. How would you account for these rates of voter turnout in the County in recent municipal elections?

Voter turnout has been poor in the provincial and federal elections also. I have heard that some people don’t vote as they don’t think their vote counts. Our votes do count. Especially in municipal elections with a small population. Sometimes the incumbent wins by just a handful of votes. In my door to door canvassing I make sure that folks know when, where and how to vote and that they are on the voters list. I invite all voters to come out and vote. This is how we have a role in our democracy. Some don’t vote because they don’t like the candidates. If this is the case I invite them to get involved, find friends or family who are like minded and have them run for council or committees.

5. Please relate an occasion when you (nearly) decided not to vote in an election.

I have voted in every municipal, provincial and federal election when I have been eligible. There was one time I was not pleased with who was running and so spoiled my ballet. I have since learned the better option is to accept the ballet and then return it and state that I decline to vote.

6. How would you propose to work with other candidates to increase voter turnout in the County in the upcoming municipal election?

All of the candidates need to encourage all we encounter in our canvassing to vote. We can make sure everyone is on the voters list and encourage those who who find it difficult to get out, to make sure they understand their option to vote on line. I know if we ask everyone to vote, do it enthusiastically and without a personal bias, we can increase our numbers!

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Responses to Invitation 1

Candidates received Invitation 1 on August 24, 2022 and were asked to share their thoughts by August 29, 2022. Candidate responses were published here and on Facebook on August 31, 2022.

Respondents

• Dee Hazell

Dee Hazell

1. How long have you resided in the County?

24 years.

1b. (Additional question for candidates for Ward Councilor only): How long have you resided in the Ward in which you are running to be Councilor?

24 years.

2. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the current term of Council (Fall 2018 – present).

None.

3. Please identify your membership on Council, committee, commission, board, or other body associated with the municipal government in the County during the previous term of Council (Fall 2014 – Fall 2018).

None.

4. Please identify your membership or volunteering in a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization associated with the County during the current term of Council (November 2018 – present).

Loylalist Humane Society, Alternatives for Women.

5. How do you understand talk of tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County?

Things are changing here in the County. There is some tension between the way things were and the direction we have been moving in.

Please indicate your agreement with the following statements:

6a. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s agenda. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

6b. Tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County influences Council’s decisions. [Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neither disagree or agree | Agree | Strongly agree]

7. Please identify any role you see yourself in addressing any tension between “old” and “new” residents in the County.

Change is constant. We need to manage change so as to not leave people behind.

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