Dear Seeker,

This election campaign is in the home stretch now.

I have been part of a few debate nights and meet the candidates nights, and I have noticed a frustrating trend.
One thing that I’ve seen, is there are a few candidates that are getting applause at these events when they passionately tell you what they know is wrong with the city. Economic development has a narrow focus. The arts scene needs to be supported and we need an arts center. The east end needs development. We need to retain our youth. All very good points, but, we already know what the issues are. Thanks for pointing it out. My question is, What are you planning to do about it?

I know for a fact, that Economic Development does not have a narrow focus. I know they are out marketing the city to many different business sectors. I know this, because I sit as vice-chair of the Economic Development committee, and I have seen their plans to move forward and go after new industry. I fully support them in their efforts and will continue to do so as a councillor.

The arts and culture sector needs to be promoted. Yes it does. If we fully support this sector, new small business will sprout up, and tourism will be greatly affected. An arts center is now the focus of the cities Culture Advisory committee and will be taking part in a needs assessment in the coming months to determine what we need, and where it should be, and how much will it cost. I know this because I chair that committee.

The east end needs to be developed. This area of our city needs to be looked at and supported properly to get it back on track. This is a great area for new small business to start up. The surrounding area has projects like the Cotton Mills condos bringing new residents to the area. If elected councillor I will support programs that offer tax relief in exchange for investment in the area. I would have voted to support the development that was proposed and turned down in a 6-5 vote of this council. The immediate benefit of that development was two fold. A building built to service those with physical disabilities, and a main floor reserved for commercial investment. It would have increased the amount of taxes we collect in the short term, and a much larger amount paid to the city after ten years. All of this on an old Courtalds property that has been screaming for new development for decades.

We need to retain our youth. We can do this by supporting the all of what I just wrote about. New industry will give the youth a place to earn a living. Investment in our arts and culture sector will give people something to do when they aren’t working. And finally, supporting east end development will give the youth a place to live, and shop, and invest themselves.

Leading up to the October 27th election, please consider the following. Which candidates have real ideas about improving our city, and which ones are selling problem awareness without offering solutions?

-Todd Bennett

Cornwall City Council Candidate