Town of Whitchurch-Stouffville

Municipal Election October 2014

Issues and/or Questions for Debate
Submitted by Arnold Neufeldt-Fast
Heres a start. Whats important to you? What would you add? Where do you disagree? Lets
debate whats best for a flourishing community. Follow on Twitter: #Stouffville (@neufast)
Create a Transit Advisory Committee which includes youth, to raise awareness, advise
and advocate for bus shelters at key stops; evening, weekend, and more frequent
service. Reports to Council
o Corollary: Only politicians who have used YRT Transit in a given month will be
granted speaking privileges (!)
Achieve provincial average for per-person Library operating funding within three years
(current: $26 per person; average $44).
Plan library expansion on the assumption of growth. The expansion will not be
completed until 2018; the current proposal is based on the consultants minimum per
person space (0.65 square feet) recommendation, and for a 2021 population (i.e., 3 yrs
out).
Shorten official, amalgamated town name to our de facto used name, i.e., from
Whitchurch-Stouffville to Stouffville.
Retire the 1993 motto Country close to the city, and rebrand to better reflect our
vibrant town reality.
(Lower business property taxes have not worked to fill employment lands). Focus on
"Quality of Life Recruitment Tools" (e.g., more adequate library & arts funding,
walkability; bikeability) to attract the creative class and grow a knowledge-based
economy.
Enable Mayor to work full-time, with a fair, full-time salary in line with Statistics
Canadas median household income for our community. In 2013, the Mayors Town
salary was $48,900 (comparator towns: $63,194).
(Walkability). Make all planning decisions with the vision of becoming Ontarios most
walkable, bikeable community.
Complete broken trails / bike paths: e.g., from Reservoir to Bethesda Park; Lori Ave
to Park Drive; Byers Pond Park to Hidden Crescent; Richard Underhill Ave to Hoover
Park; Delbert Cres. to Hoover Park.
Turn back proposals for new strip malls that are not walking-friendly (e.g., wide
sidewalks) and without street-appeal and significant gathering space (e.g., square).
Plan for small-town feel--not sprawl feel. Strip malls, drive-thrus, expansive parking
keep residents from walking and cycling and gathering. Goal: replicate old Main Street
features (mixed-use; walkability; civic space) along Main from Ninth Line to Hwy 48
Honour the significant First Nation history of our location (Mantle Site; Wendat/Huron
First Nation) in the library/leisure centre expansion design
Advocate and lead for the preservation/repurposing of the Downtown Grain Elevator
(owned by Metrolinx) in its present location.
Create an Environmental Advisory Committee (like all neighbouring communities) that
can draw attention to Council matters in a formalized and regular manner.
Create W-S Environmental Grant for students and student groups; to be
administered by the Environmental Advisory Committee; three grants up to $500 each.
Protect of Oak Ridges Moraine as town asset. Council will not petition province to
expand towns settlement boundaries (e.g., Hwy 404 corridor) for more employment
lands
(A citizen is more than a tax payer or customer) Transform Towns customer service
paradigm (and commoditization of services) to one of building citizens and
strengthening community fabric.
(More than information evenings) Invite meaningful participation and collaboration
with informed and engaged residents on town projects, like library expansion, a satellite
campus, transit needs, etc.
Develop a Cultural Plan with measurable short, medium and long-term goals and time-
line to full build-out, 2031. Create a Cultural Advisory Committee that will report
annually to Council with recommendations
Provide significant funding and grants to support the development of local artists and
the 19 on the Park. Administered by Cultural Advisory Committee
Nurture a creative, inviting, proactive and visionary leadership style (e.g., when
universities invite town to make a presentation for a satellite campus location, we are
ready).
Create an Economic Development Task Force (e.g., see Richmond Hill). This is not an
advisory committee, but comprised e.g., of mayor, 2 councillors, Chamber of Commerce
president, 3 residents, and key staff; reports to Council
Realign ward boundaries along the principle of representation by population: only 1/3
of towns population is rural, yet rural Whitchurch-Stouffville holds half of Council seats.
An expanded leisure centre must generate new income/ attract new users: a sauna
and outdoor hot tub are basics.
Create student mayor program (see Barrie example)
Start Council meetings with more focus and dignity. Ideas: Sing O Canada; begin with
something like a Prayer for Guidance (Barrie); Interreligious Prayers (Sarnia; invite
clergy by Census results); Moment of Meditation (Georgina).
Introduce Open Forum at start of every Council meeting for anyone wishing to speak
on item not on official agenda (see Aurora & Newmarket)