Council invites comment on its draft strategic plan
Administrator | Jul 06, 2011 | Comments 5
What’s coming up at Prince Edward County council meetings. Viewers are invited to make comment on council issues, or email a more detailed comment to news@countylive.ca
Writers must use their full name and a valid email address.
Full council and committee agendas and minutes with links to documents here:
http://princeedward.fileprosite.com/Documents/DocumentList.aspx?ID=7431
Coming up:
July 5 – Accessibility Advisory Committee 1:30PM RPC Boardroom
July 13 – Committee of Adjustment Meeting 6:30 p.m. Council Chambers
Planning Public Meeting 7:00 p.m. Council Chambers
July 14 – Committee of the Whole Meeting 9:30 a.m. Council Chambers
Social Services Meeting 10:00 a.m. Napanee
July 21 – Heritage Advisory Committee Meeting 9:00 a.m. Edward Building
July 26 – Council Meeting 7:00 p.m. Shire Hall
Council has invited comments on its draft Strategic Plan
(Comments in writing by July 7 or in person on July 14, 2011). See http://tinyurl.com/4y2qtle.
For quick reference, the draft Objectives are:
1. Encourage stable, year round employment opportunities.
2. Create healthy environment through improved land, water and air quality (and maintain natural landscape).
3. Manage growth and its impacts.
4. Preserve and promote the County’s culture, identity and quality of life.
5. Facilitate quality recreational opportunities for people of all ages and physical abilities.
6. Provide an efficient, effective and responsive municipal government.
7. Develop sustainable transportation infrastructure.
While the Objectives presented are very worthwhile, here are some comments:
1. There is no mention of dealing with the main risk to the County’s residents, economy and natural environment — uncontrolled industrial wind energy development.
2. Objective #1. This Objective is somewhat narrow in that it focuses on opportunities for employees only (more jobs) and not on entrepreneurs as well (new businesses).
3. Objective #3 assumes that there is continuing economic growth. Given the closing of a number of local businesses, the reduction in residential building permits and continuing minimal population growth, the County may have entered a period of economic decline. Corrective action may be necessary.
Here are suggestions for additions and changes to the Objectives:
1. Add #8: Find ways to mitigate the adverse effects of industrial wind energy development on the County’s residents, economy and natural environment.
2. Change #1: Encourage stable, year round business and employment opportunities.
3. Change #3: Evaluate the economic health of the County; work to reverse any declines and manage growth.
Gary Mooney
RR 2 Consecon
Filed Under: Local News
What council needs to do is # 6 –make sure we have an efficient, effective and responsive council and for them to stop spending money on things we do not need
Only the necessities should be looked after.
Just saying, Gary.
I understand it’s a new day and a new Council. And, I understand it’s an opportunity to have a say in the direction the community will take over the next few years. But, eight of the fifteen Councillors are “returning”, one was a Councillor a few years ago and only six are what the public could consider “new”. I’m just suggesting perhaps the vast majority of residents are survey weary.
Perhaps.
Theresa, what you say about the past may be true, but this is a new Council and I think that they deserve the benefit of the doubt.
If Council doesn’t receive input when they ask for it, they could be excused for not asking in the future.
Gary, I’m sure people care about all of those topics but, I’m more sure they’re just tired of being asked and their responses/input/comments seemingly falling upon deaf ears. A friend of mine said of this process, “Oh, for god’s sake, why don’t they just read the nine million surveys and reports and notes from town hall meetings. We still want all of those things and have for years.”
Ya, people care. People care they haven’t been heard in the past.
Just saying, is all.
As of July 5, two days before the July 7 deadline for written comments, there had been only 3 comments received from individuals (including mine) and NONE from County organizations.
Once approved, this plan will define County government’s priorities for the remainder of this Council term (up to December, 2014).
Doesn’t anybody care?