Housing, roads and the hub top questions at Williamsford candidates' night
All nine Chatsworth council candidates took residents' questions on Oct. 6. The two people running for mayor split over how to develop township land near the Legion.
By David Ellis · · 2 min read
All nine candidates for Chatsworth council faced residents' questions at an all-candidates meeting at the Williamsford Community Centre on Tuesday, Oct. 6, according to a report by the Owen Sound Current.
The Current reported that residents organized the meeting and submitted eight questions in advance. Those questions covered the proposed community hub in the village of Chatsworth, a township housing proposal on George Street, support for the volunteer-run Chatsworth Community Outreach food program, the backlog in the township's roads needs assessment, hedgerows, farmland and water, extreme-weather preparedness, and how council communicates with residents. Questions from the floor followed, including property taxes and library funding.
Two visions for township land
The Current reported that the clearest disagreement came between the two mayoral candidates, Coun. Shawn Greig and Deputy Mayor Terry McKay. They differed over what to do with township-owned land south of the Legion.
According to the Current, Greig favours having the township service the lots and sell them individually so local trades can build. McKay said the township would need a developer, with conditions for townhouses and more affordable homes.
Roads first
Several candidates named roads and bridges as their top priority, the Current reported. Some acknowledged that certain surface-treated roads may go back to gravel. Councillor candidate Brenda Robertson opposed that idea, according to the report.
When was the emergency plan last updated?
Candidates gave different accounts of when the township's emergency plan was last updated, the Current reported. McKay said it was updated this spring, while Robertson said it dates from 2018.
The township's emergency plan is not posted on the township pages the Banner reviewed.
Other themes
The Current's report says most candidates said decisions about removing hedgerows should be left to farmers. Several candidates called for better communication from council, including newsletters by mail for residents without internet access and livestreamed council meetings.
Who's running
The township's certified list of candidates shows:
- Mayor: Shawn Greig and Terry M. McKay.
- Deputy mayor: Diana Rae and Peter James Whitten.
- Councillor (three seats): J.D. Ceaser, Chris Evans, Barry Leonard Jackson, Brenda Joan Robertson and Margie Stafford.
The Owen Sound Current has published audio of the meeting and a candidate-by-candidate summary. A full transcript is available to its paid subscribers.
Election day is Monday, Oct. 26. Voting is by mail, and ballots must be in by 8 p.m.
Your turn: What would you like to see that land south of the Legion used for? Let us know. Email news@chatsworthbanner.ca or use the tip form on our site.
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