Get to know the mayoral candidates: Jordan Poapst
Municipal Elections are taking place in October. As one of the main media outlets in the City of Cornwall, The Seeker is always eager to getting to know the candidates. The mayoral candidates have a special importance as they will get to lead council for the next four years. We asked them to give their position on the most pressing issues near and dear to you, our readers. Every candidate was sent 11 questions, penned by our own, Jason Setnyk. They can chose to answer as many as they want. We will post them online as they come in. Here are Jordan Poapst’s Questions and Answers. Click on any question to reveal the answer.
1 – Please give us a brief biography / tell the readers about yourself.
(e.g., work/family/education/experience)
I’ve lived in Cornwall most of my life, with a few years spent in Ottawa and Montreal. I come from an employment background in sales and manufacturing, including leadership positions. I became self-employed in 2018, pursuing a livelihood with my artistic persona, MC Frosty, via the development of my entertainment label, Ruin Life Crew. Since 2018, my self-produced content has been streamed/viewed over 850K times, including much locally-influenced content where I have commented on and critiqued Cornwall subject matter.
2 – If you were on Council the previous term, tell us about your accomplishments during the past four years. If you were not on City Council this last term, please tell us why you are running and what you hope to accomplish.
No answer
3 – With rents skyrocketing, what can City Council in Cornwall do to prevent renovictions like those at Cumberland Gardens that have impacted many in our community?
No answer.
4 – In 2018, the City of Cornwall purchased the old Bank of Montreal building in our downtown for $450,000 as the future home of Cornwall’s Art Centre. In 2019, Council heard a report that renovations would cost an additional $4 to $6 million dollars. In addition to the fundraising already being done, will you support some public tax dollars going towards a Cornwall Art Centre, or should the municipality pause any additional financial support?
No answer.
5 – Post-pandemic, what can Council do to improve Economic Development for the city and support existing businesses?
I believe Economic Development in Cornwall relies on the creation of new industry in our area, and growth of our population. As an example, with the commercialization and rapid growth of recreational cannabis sales outlets (and use) in the city, it could be viable for city council to amend indoor smoking by-laws (originally based on tobacco smoking) to allow for cannabis clubs/venues (much like a bar that serves alcohol), and eventual cannabis tourism in the city.
6 – What are your thoughts on the McConnell Medical Clinic closure? Although health care is a provincial issue, is there anything Council can do to attract more doctors and nurses to our city?
No answer.
7 – While climate change is a global issue, what can the City do locally to keep our neighborhoods cool and protect natural resources like the St. Lawrence River?
No answer.
8 – Many City businesses are open on Sundays, and many events happen on Sundays. Do you support Sunday service for Cornwall Transit?
No answer.
9 – What can we do to improve social services in Cornwall? Examples include but are not limited to Cornwall Transit, childcare spaces, or LTR spaces.
No answer.
10 – Do you support keeping tax increases to a bare minimum? If yes, where would the savings come from, and would you support reducing some services? If you do not support keeping tax increases to a minimum, explain your reasoning why.
I believe tax increases should be kept to an absolute minimum. Growth of municipal budget/expenses, should be relative to the growth of the population of taxpayers. The ever-ballooning Cornwall Police Service budget is an example, and could be replaced by the O.P.P. for lower-cost-per-citizen, higher quality policing. Unfortunately, our previous councils have failed to bring our population to surpass 50,000 residents. Heck, even our previously-elected mayor, Bernadette Clement, left for a better career opportunity (and more $$$). Council needs to spearhead effective actions to create opportunity, designed to attract and retain residents.
11 – How can candidates contact you? Please provide a phone number and/or email and/or one website (or one social media link).
Anyone can contact me at 6136046200, [email protected] and/or https://facebook.com/jordanpoapstformayor
Author
