Slowly but surely the list of candidates for the October 26 municipal election is growing. As of Tuesday morning when I write this column, the number of candidates registered to run for a regular council seat has grown to five, with the addition last week of former Meaford treasurer Darcy Chapman.
Chapman, who lives in Bognor, was employed by the municipality more than eight years, from 2013 until 2021, serving primarily as the municipality’s Treasurer and Director of Financial Services, though for a period he wore a second hat as Director of Infrastructure Management.
It is not often that we see former municipal employees opting to run for a council seat, but it has and does happen from time to time.
Chapman’s candidacy brings the total number of current council candidates to five, along with one candidate for mayor, and one for deputy mayor thus far.
Meaford’s council consists of five regular councillors along with the deputy mayor and mayor for a total of seven members, so we currently have as many candidates as there are seats up for grabs. If we are to have a meaningful vote on October 26, I would hope to see at least double the candidates that are currently registered. There is still plenty of time of course to fill the ballot with candidates as the nomination period runs until August 21.
Candidates for this year’s municipal election will have plenty of issues to juggle as the voters I have chatted with in recent weeks have expressed a wide range of concerns that they would like to see addressed by the candidates, and in the next term of council. It seems that everyone that I have talked to about the upcoming municipal election has a different set of issues and concerns, and that should be expected by anyone that tosses their hat into the ring for this year’s election.
Managing growth and development, along with the TC Energy pumped storage proposal, have topped the list of concerns of several of the folks I have talked to, but those two major and obvious concerns aside, I have heard dozens of concerns raised by folks with whom I have discussed the upcoming election.
From the standard roads and bridges complaints, to concern that our local parks are not being adequately maintained, to frustration expressed about weeds in our downtown area, to the lack of food trucks in this community, the issues are wide ranging, and sometimes unexpected.
Another issue that is present during every municipal election is the desire by many to see council hold the line on expenses and to either ensure no property tax increases, or even to reduce property tax rates. Others I have spoken with understand the realities of operating a municipality in today’s economy, and they simply want to ensure that future property tax increases are in line with general inflation, and not more. There is no question that many are already beyond their limit when it comes to monthly bills, so how candidates plan to manage municipal funds, and how that might impact property tax rates are genuine concerns of many voters.
Virtually everyone that I have spoken with recently has expressed that their household budgets are already strained, and they have also expressed frustration that Meaford’s water bills have become unaffordable. Some have told me that their water bill is now their highest cost utility bill each month. Meaford’s high water bills have been a hot topic in this community for the past several years, and it will certainly be a hot topic during the election campaign. A genuine concern, expressed by many, that candidates will no doubt hear about this summer, and for those who are elected on October 26, it will be a frequently expressed frustration from users of the municipal water system.
Infrastructure and municipal facility needs are always a top issue for me. Roads and bridges are an obvious concern as they are core infrastructure, used by all, and essential to daily life, but also important is the maintenance of our many municipal facilities and parks. From the municipal administration office, to the arena and community centre, to the Blue Dolphin swimming pool, to Meaford Hall, we have a number of municipal facilities and some of them are in need of attention, and attention costs money.
We have significant needs at the arena, and the Blue Dolphin pool could also use a significant investment, and though folks often don’t like to hear it, Meaford’s aging municipal administration office is painfully cramped, and inadequate for the current roster of municipal staff.
Parks and cultural facilities are important too, but not to everyone, and I am always interested to hear how candidates view what some consider to be ‘frills’, while for others such facilities are essential.
As you can see the topics of concern for voters in October’s municipal election are many, and they are wide ranging, and I have only touched upon the most obvious and commonly expressed concerns. So candidates will have much to consider as they hear from voters throughout this summer, and leading up to election day.
Those considering jumping in as a candidate now have less than two months to register their candidacy with the municipal Clerk. Anyone planning to run for council or school board trustee will have until August 21 to register their candidacy.
Election information, including the unofficial list of registered candidates can be found at: https://www.meaford.ca/en/our-government/election.aspx
