Here are Five Questions with 2014 Cornwall Ontario City Council candidate Davey Bedard.

1 – Tell the voters a bit about yourself. What skills and experience would make you a good candidate?

Born and raised in Cornwall, Ontario, I graduated high school in 1995 from St. Joseph’s Secondary School. I went on to educate myself in the technological world. I moved to Calgary to gain further experience in my trade and in management. Two years later, I returned back to Cornwall and after many years working as a Certified Technician for Hewlett Packard/QMS/Minolta and Lexmark I planted my roots and opened a small local business and started raising a family. As a father, husband and proud citizen of Cornwall, I continue to be a driving force in my community. With over 20 years of volunteer and charitable work, I strive to constantly give back to my community.

2 – In what ways could we improve Economic Development and how can we make Cornwall a more friendly city for small businesses?

There’s so many issues it’s hard to just choose one, but at the end of the day to me it all comes down to Economic Development.Through this creating and using incentive programs to entice and attract new business and people to our beautiful community. In turn, this would create more revenue for our city which then could be used for other social programs, arts and culture, revitalization of certain areas, upgrading the waterfront, etc.

3 – What is your vision for arts and culture? Would you support the building of an Arts and Culture Centre in Cornwall?

See #2.

4 – Do you support freezing or lowering taxes? If so, where would the savings come from, and would you support reducing some services?

I don’t have enough information to make an educated decision on this matter. This is something the new council will have to work hard on, in making the right decision for the community. Creating new revenue for the city though incentive programs, could generate the funding needed without freezing or cutting.

5 – What has been the biggest accomplishment at City Hall over the past four years OR what has been the biggest issue of concern at City Hall over the past four years?

We need a council that will work together, put their differences aside and make the right decisions for growth, short and long term. In order to move forward and create change, we sometimes have to close doors on things that used to work, so we can introduce new ways and new ideas. Change isn’t always easy but in some circumstances a necessity and in my opinion, for Cornwall, it’s long overdue. There is so much potential here for growth and together as community, we can make a difference. In the end it’s not about what I want, but what the community wants. Sometimes actions speak louder then words. Vote.