Questions and answers about the issues in the 2010 Wilmot election
Q: Why are you a candidate for Mayor of Wilmot Township?
Paul Knowles: The role of Mayor is going to be key in the next few years in our township. Retiring Mayor Wayne Roth has done a good job of leaving the municipality in good financial shape. Many of the main issues that will face our leaders in the coming years are likely to be external in nature, and the only person who can have an impact on the regional and provincial level is the Mayor.
Q: What kind of external issues?
PK: Let's start with the Regional Municipality of Waterloo. Wilmot is part of the Region, and the Region provides many of our key services, among them our water supply, wastewater operations, police services, emergency services, a significant amount of planning control, care of our major (regional) roads, libraries, waste management and environmental issues, public health, social services, and more.
The only person from Wilmot who has a vote and a voice at Regional Council is the Mayor. I think it is vital that our Mayor communicates on behalf of the people of Wilmot, and just as importantly, communicates with the people of Wilmot.
Q: Are any of these areas especially important to Wilmot township right now?
PK: Several of them. Water is always important in the region, since the whole area is dependent on groundwater for our water supply. Wilmot is a key source of that water, and we rely on the region for a safe, consistent supply.
There has been a lot of discussion about emergency services, especially fire departments. We must improve communication and cooperation between our fire services in the border areas of all municipalities within the region.
Roadwork has been an issue in the township, as well. As President of the Board of Trade, I have asked the Region to better plan traffic flow when roadwork is underway -- the complete isolation of some of our businesses during road construction is unacceptable. I would fight for better access in these situations.
Q: What provincial issues are important?
 PK: I am very concerned about the ongoing efforts of the provincial Minister of Transportation to change the configuration of Highway 7&8 through the west end of Wilmot. As Mayor, I will stand strong and firm to prevent loss of highway access to the New Hamburg business district and our neighbourhoods like Stonecroft and Morningside. I have met with the provincial Minister of Transportation to raise our concerns; I escorted MOT staff and consultants on a tour of 19 area businesses, all of whom want things left as they are. I will continue that fight.
Q: Are there local issues in this election?
PK: As I said, Mayor Roth is leaving the township in good shape, financially. There will undoubtedly be issues that will come up, but one thing I am hearing about right now involves the community facilities in our villages and towns. Many Wilmot communities have municipal parks and community centres. Once upon a time, they were cared for by individual parks boards. Today, the township administration has assumed that responsibility.
I think we need to explore ways to involve community volunteers in these community assets, and I would seek to do that in New Dundee, Petersburg, St. Agatha, Haysville, Baden, and New Hamburg. This is the best way to insure that our parks and facilities are kept in great shape and are of optimum use in our communities.
Q: What about Nith River flooding?
 PK: I was one of the founders of the flood relief fund, in 2009. That was a one-time answer to an emergency situation, and the community response was amazing. However, the real answer would be to find a way to control the waters of the Nith, to reduce or prevent flooding.
This is not an issue that affects only a few homes. A large section of New Hamburg is vulnerable, and much of our important downtown section is prevented from growing or improving because of the flood plain. Some think the answer is to wipe out the residential section of Peel Street. That seems ridiculous, to me. We need to find a solution that allows commercial development, protects our neighbours, and also guards those farther downstream, such as the people of Haysville, and I will work toward that.
Q: What else needs to be done to help local business?
PK: Our communities are much richer for the presence of local businesspeople, providing key services, paying taxes, and attracting visitors -- and their money -- to our communities. We have to make Wilmot a welcoming place for business, especially small businesses that provide the heartbeat of our communities.
It's no secret that there are empty storefronts and factories in several communities in Wilmot. That is not healthy -- the township needs to attract new businesses, working with the business community, and with the Board of Trade or Chamber of Commerce in the communities where those organizations are active.
We all need to be aware of the potential of tourism in our communities -- there are plenty of reasons for people to visit Wilmot, if they learn of them. Our municipal tourism attraction, Castle Kilbride, needs to work closely with the tourism-oriented businesses in the villages and towns of Wilmot.
Q: What does the Mayor do?
PK: The Mayor of Wilmot is head of township council, of course. But the Mayor does much more -- and many of these duties are not widely known. For instance, the Mayor also sits on Regional Council (Wilmot's only representative), on the Grand River Conservation Authority Board, on the Board of Kitchener-Wilmot Hydro, and on several Regional committees, including the Regional Library Board.
These are all important roles, and it is vital that we have the right leader representing the people of Wilmot at the GRCA, and at KW Hydro.
Q: What about tax rates?
PK: Mayor Roth has left Wilmot in good shape, and there should be no need to raise taxes, certainly not above the rate of inflation, in the foreseeable future.
Q: How can a Mayor represent the whole township?
PK: By recognizing that while Wilmot may be one municipality, it is made up of a variety of unique, individual communities. We have much in common, and we need to work together for our mutual betterment, but at the same time, the people of our villages, towns and countryside have pride in their individual home towns. That's a good thing, and council and the administration of the township must honour and support that sense of unique community pride.
Q: Are there environmental issues?
PK: In this era, there are always environmental issues. The Mayor must be at the forefront of environmental awareness. If there are pilot green programs -- such as compost collection -- we must seek to bring them to Wilmot. We must be willing to welcome non-intrusive improvements such as  additional recycling, and alternative energy production, where appropriate. And as the home of the Nith River and other waterways and bodies of water, we must work to improve their water quality.
These are some of the issues I believe are important in this municipal election. To raise others or to ask me questions, please contact me.
If you see the importance of these issues, I ask for your support on municipal election day, October 25, 2010. |
