Candidates tackle Dunnville issues

By Karen Best

Wednesday, November 01, 2006 - 05:00
Dunnville Chronicle

Almost 200 people came out to hear what mayoral, Dunnville ward councillors and school board candidates had to say last Thursday.

In the middle of the panel in St. Michael’s gym sat mayoral contestants Lorraine Bergstrand, Bernie Corbett and Marie Trainer. Vying for Ward 5 are Marylou Lovegrove, Don Ricker and Mike Walker. Incumbent Ward 6 councillor Lorne Boyko faces a challenge from Wilfred Marlowe.

In opening statements, Bergstrand spoke about council accomplishments while she was mayor from 2000 to 2003 including initiation of Grandview Lodge redevelopment, the Ramsey Drive project, and insisting that the federal government complete a $3.5-million repair project of the Port Maitland pier before switching ownership to Haldimand County. (The transfer is on hold due to Six Nations land claim issues.)

Bergstrand criticized the current council for its lack of lobbying for an alternative to the Nanticoke coal-fired generation station, which can be operated in an environmentally-sound manner, she said.

As a candidate, she said, she offers her passion for the job and strong leadership to protect resident interests. Bergstrand said Haldimand County is still owed millions from the provincial government to pay for the transition from Haldimand Norfolk regional government to the county. Because of transition, the county subsidized Norfolk policing until Bergstrand’s council endorsed Haldimand’s own OPP contract, she said.

Through transition, Haldimand and Norfolk became joint owners of the Tom Howe dump near Hagersville and the Canborough landfill, she said. Because of this, Norfolk County’s garbage will be trucked into Haldimand for 50 years.

“Haldimand County was the loser in the transition process,” said Bergstrand.

She said she is interested in marketing industrial land including the Frank A. Marshall Business Park in Dunnville and wanted the Byng fire station to remain open.

As he began his remarks, Corbett offered to speak to anyone about the legacy of the transition board.

In 2000, he served as a member of the board hired by the Ontario government to set up the county government.

The Niagara-to-Toronto transportation corridor, which is a major plank in Corbett’s platform, will offer exciting opportunities to Dunnville and Haldimand County, which is not limited for growth under greenbelt legislation, he said. The county must begin an economic impact study on the corridor and look for strategic locations for ramps and north and south links, he added.

Successful resolution of the Caledonia native land dispute is paramount to remove this encumbrance from future growth in the town and the county, said Corbett. Negotiations should cease until the native protesters move off the occupied subdivision, he said, and the rule of law should prevail on both sides.

The loss of OPG will be a significant blow to the county with a loss of $2.8 million in property taxes, $3.1 million spent on local goods and 900 jobs, with 300, in construction, said Corbett. The county should fight to retain the generation plant, which can operate with less impact to the environment because of new technologies, he said.

Because of provincially downloaded services such as health and social services and ambulance services, core municipal services, such as roads, community centres and water lines are suffering, he said.

Corbett summed up his passion for municipal politics, his desire to serve and his intention to work in harmony with fellow councillors.

Marie Trainer emphasized her family’s roots in Haldimand and her experience with crises including the 1990 Hagersville tire fire. She worked with Six Nations and Mississaugas of the New Credit on the 1998 train derailment. Currently she is working with the provincial and federal government on the Caledonia land dispute.

Trainer supported $2 million for roads and services in the Dunnville industrial park, $450,000 for a health clinic addition to the Haldimand War Memorial Hospital and funding for a Dunnville soccer fieldhouse. Recently she spoke to the chair of the Niagara Region about county interest in the corridor and Niagara growth.

Trainer offered voters accessible and accountable government, responsible spending of tax dollars and a return to basics. By untangling red tape, the county can make it easier for businesses to open and expand, she said. Trainer said local businesses want the county to shop locally for supplies and services.

During the question section of the meeting, answers were limited to two minutes. All mayoral candidates expressed support for agriculture, the main local industry.

Wal-Mart opinions were sought. Trainer said the store is a positive step for Dunnville and, in some towns, Wal-Mart kept more shoppers in town, where they can shop in downtown in specialty stores. Bergstrand would have voted for the 101,000-square-foot store and said downtown has been in trouble for years. The options are to let it die or bring in new business, she said. While Corbett had a concern about Wal-Mart’s reputation as an employer, he said the $35-million investment in Dunnville and the 250 jobs are boons for the community. He said Dunnville should seek more cash from the department store company than the $75,000 over five years.

All three candidates expressed support for the Byng fire station, which was recommended for closure by a consultant. Corbett and Bergstrand reported rumours circulating that they wanted to see it close. Corbett said the hall is needed as shown in three other consultant reports.

For Dunnville’s future, Bergstrand,Corbett and Trainer again pointed to the Niagara corridor. Corbett suggested that residential development move over to the high land of Byng. Bergstrand also looked to Byng for new home lots, and expediting a plan for roads, water and sewers.

The mayoral applicants were asked how small business can grow while bylaws were restrictive. Corbett said the county has met with small businesses to discuss expediting zoning approvals.

Losing the 2003 election was the best thing that happened, Bergstrand said, because her eyes were opened when she dealt with the county while working with Harthill Construction and Toronto Motorsports Park. If elected, she said her experience will be a plus and she would meet with developers at the beginning of the term. After staff and council members met with developers last year, the application was streamlined internally, said Trainer.

Someone posed a question to Bergstrand about bringing jobs to town and her opposition to the Dunnville autodrome at the airport. Bergstrand said she supported business but all must follow the same rules. While mayor last term, she said she was hard on Toronto Motorsports Park which, while she was employed there, spent $250,000 on berms to deal with noise complaints.

TMP was required to seek proper zoning for the road course and zoning is also required at the airport. Corbett said a bylaw officer determined racing was not taking place on the course where there is no start or finish line. Because noise is an issue, then if it is mitigated, he said he believes the course could operate.

In closing comments, Trainer said she will deal with problems head on and fight to hold taxes, approach municipal business with honesty and integrity and fight to get things done no matter what trouble she gets into.

Corbett drew attention to his 36 years of experience with municipal services from selling dog tags to wearing the mayor’s chain. As he did previously, he will be representative of constituent interests. Now retired, he said he is ready to be a full-time mayor.

Bergstrand said she had the strength, confidence and ability to move into negotiations with Ontario and Canada on the native land dispute. Her brand of leadership will include listening to all sides of the debate, respect for the public and open to input, she said.