All candidates’ meetings
Administrator | Sep 03, 2014 | Comments 180
Municipal Election Day Oct. 27, 2014
The candidates are:
Mayor
Robert Quaiff
Jeff Goddard
Paul Boyd
Ward 1 Picton (Two to be elected)
Lenny Epstein
Phil St. Jean
Treat Hull
Ray Hobson
Stephanie Bell
Laverne Bailey
Ward 2 Bloomfield (acclaimed)
Barry Turpin
Ward 3 Wellington (One to be elected)
Jim Dunlop
Marilyn Szoldra
Tina Konecny
Ward 4 Ameliasburgh (Three to be elected)
Rachael Tracey
Nick Nowitski
Roy Pennell
Janice Maynard
Tim Fellows
Diane O’Brien
Ward 5 Athol (One to be elected)
Tim Vanhecke
Jamie Forrester
Stan Grizzle
Ward 6 Hallowell (Two to be elected)
Keith MacDonald
Brad Nieman
Kathryn Noxon
Gordon Fox
Ward 7 Hillier (One to be elected)
Alec Lunn
Steve Graham
Ward 8 N. Marysburgh (One to be elected)
Ronald Hendrikx
David Harrison
Ward 9 S. Marysburgh (One to be elected)
Kyle Douglas Mayne
Steve Ferguson
Ward 10 Sophiasburgh (Two to be elected)
Bill Roberts
Terry Shortt
Kevin Gale
Public School Trustee Wards 3,4,7, 10
Jennifer Cobb
Public School Trustee Wards 1,2,5,6,8,9
Dwayne Inch
English Language Separate School Board Trustee
Gavin Cosgrove
Kirk Romany
Catharina Summers
French Language Separate School Board Trustee
Dianne Burns
French Language Public School Board Trustee
Robert Comeau
Rachel Laforest
Here’s what happened in 2010:
Of the 21,351 eligible voters, 10,598 cast a ballot for a 49.63 per cent turnout for the county – much improved over the 39.4 per cent in the 2006 election.
(* elected)
Mayor
*Peter Mertens 3496
Sandy Latchford 2328
Monica Alyea 1832
Lori Slik 1203
Gord Fox 1075
Paul Boyd 594
Picton: (2 elected)
*Bev Campbell 655
* Brian Marisett 561
Laverne Bailey 526
Don Ward 353
Paul Morris 288
Richard Rowe 237
Doris Lane 140
Bloomfield: (1 elected)
*Barry Turpin 175
Phil St.-Jean 128
Wellington (1 elected)
*Jim Dunlop 827
Bill Boultbee 305
Ameliasburgh (3 elected)
*Janice Maynard 1462
*Dianne O’Brien 1306
*Nick Nowitski 930
Kathy Vowinckel 714
Athol (1 elected)
*Jamie Forrester 399
Paul Johnson 260
Hallowell (2 elected)
*Heather Campbell 987
*Keith MacDonald 644
Richard Parks 582
Knowlton Hunter 277
Scott Johnston 185
Hillier (1 elected)
*Alec Lunn 436
Peggy Burris 370
North Marysburgh (1 elected)
*Robert Quaiff 418
Ray Best 256
Chris Billard 77
South Marysburgh (1 elected)
*Barb Proctor 305
Duncan Fischer 119
Ray Hobson 79
Sandy Blackford 43
Jack Dall 26
Erin Johnston 22
Sophiasburgh (2 elected)
*Kevin Gale 592
*Terry Shortt 537
John Thompson 463
Kristien Buikema 113
Trustee Hastings & PE School Board Wards 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9
Dwayne Inch (acclaimed)
Trustee Hastings & PE School Board Wards 3, 4, 7, 10
*Jennifer Cobb 2386
Harry Marissen 966
Rick Langstaff 697
Trustee French Language Public Board
Marc Bissonnette 23
Frederic Tremblay 5
Trustee French Language Catholic Board
Andre Ouellette acclaimed
Algonquin & Lakeshore Catholic School Board
Paul Candon 268
Greg Speagle 249
Question on the ballot: Are you in favour of council commencing a public consultation process to review the size of council for the County of Prince Edward?
Yes 7569
No 1798
Filed Under: Local News
Gary: “Wolf, can you be more specific about “easy ones”. I had a definite purpose in respect of each question.”
Council size. Diversity. Economic Development. All have been discussed, debated, examined by expensive consultants, council and citizens’ forums forever. Yet, many of the folks running have already demonstrated their positions over the last 4 years.
Is your survey going to hold them to their word? I don’t think so. Not as long as we don’t understand what set of principles these people adhere to.
Even Rick writes “The survey prepared by Gary Mooney and presented in these pages is a useful tool – but it isn’t a substitute for an all candidate meeting”. If only 2% of 3,400 voters in Picton come out to a candidate meeting there are more important questions that need to be discussed – Purpose and Principles – with the electorate and those running and Shire Hall staff.
In response to Paul,
I can’t speak for others but already many people have, in effect, ‘interviewed’ me by sending questions my way, calling to chat on the phone, and even arranging meetings to meet me for a coffee/tea to hear my thoughts and approach. I have promised to be extremely responsive and want to let people know to please get ahold of me and your other candidates if you want to get a sense of who we are.
Last night was the Picton all-candidates meeting and on the 16th of October there is another one put on by the BIA at 7:00 above Books and Co. It’s another good way to compare your choices.
Also, if I do get elected, I will hold a public forum every month. I have made that promise.
Please get ahold of me if you have any questions at: lenny@lennyforcouncil.ca
Wolf, can you be more specific about “easy ones”. I had a definite purpose in respect of each question.
Gary: “The Times relate to a comprehensive survey that I have conducted, achieving an 83% response rate of all candidates for municipal office.”
Your survey “lobed” some easy ones. What’s your point?
Gary: “You can gather a pretty sound direction through polling questions like the Wellington Times have posted on their site. It of course is not interviewing and irregardless the person can choose to defer later.”
None of the Times’ polling questions deal with ‘principles’. We don’t know how any of the candidates will be guided when making tough decisions on our behalf.
If we want councilors to make tough decisions that impact ALL people in The County then we need to know that they are there to serve ALL people. And not just some. We need to know with some certainty that their first responsibility is to ALL people. And that’s just ONE principle that we need to better understand of our elected officials.
We can draft a set of principles and ask every candidate to sign such document. It’s our democracy.
Paul: “In depth interviews of Candidates will never happen..”
Why not ?
Democracy isn’t about what candidates do or say. It’s also not about what governments do. Democracy is all about what people do.
I have difficulty with candidates selecting option C in the Times polling question in regards to wind turbines. They are basically saying they have no position. So what does that mean? Does it mean they are in favour if they could get a turbine contract on their land? Does it mean they just don’t care? Does it mean if they lean opposed that they do not have the fortitude to oppose with all their strength and lobby the provincial government in doing so? It seems option C is an escape route where you don’t take a stand for or against. We need and require better leadership than that.I think Harrison and Bailey need to come clean on this issue.
You can gather a pretty sound direction through polling questions like the Wellington Times have posted on their site. It of course is not interviewing and irregardless the person can choose to defer later.
The Times poll is interesting none the less. We have some who choose to do nothing in regards to wind factories. We have some who feel the ratepayer can sustain a whopping twenty percent tax increase the next 4 years for primarily road repair. Have a look.
My question is when do we get to sit down and have an in depth interview with individual Candidates to evaluate their suitability for Council ? More then likely we’ll hear very short sound bytes or read a well scripted pamphlet telling us exactly what they think we want to hear. In depth interviews of Candidates will never happen..
Councilor MacDonald running in Hallowell is supporting raising taxes by 20 percent the next 4 years to tackle roads. When it comes to putting a roof over your head and food on the table all of sudden the roads aren’t so bad! Perhaps it is time for change. We all are not a bottomless pit full of money.
Wolf it doesn’t provide absolute certainty of course, and I hope I didn’t indicate that perfect outcome. It increases the likehood of success significantly. Will some failures slip through on occassion? Yes, we are still dealing with humans and their faults or faults that come to the surface at a later time.
Gary: “We need smart minds with a vision to lead us to a better place. I will leave their “purpose and principals” with you as you seem to be more of an expert in those lines.”
Again, I understand what you’ve written above.
What I don’t understand is how you evaluate the “smart minds” of candidates? Or how you interpret their vision? And just what is the definition of a ‘better place’?
Gary: “A unique in depth interviewing strategy that interchanges questions and assesses responses based on a scale. Ambitions, desires, successes compared with actual position, results and displayed proven results”
I understand what you’ve written.
What I don’t understand is how the above enables you to determine with ‘absolute’ certainty that a candidate for a job will be successful. Please explain.
Mr.Harrison candidate for North Marysburgh and Laverne Bailey candidate for Picton have both indicated that they will not discourage or fight against wind developers in Prince Edward County. They are choosing the easy way out and sitting on the fence using provincial controls as an excuse. If you can’t lock in their support at election time I think you know where they stand.
The Municipal government has a most difficult time convincing ratepayers of austerity when they see thousands of their tax dollars being tossed to the wind for non necessary items or futile displays of being progressive. The $$$ spent on a citizens review of Council size when it didn’t have a hope or time to succeed is an example. Another is 30k$ on a fruit of the Loom logo we did not require with items such as roads being so crucial. And we are now in election mode and everyone promises fiscal responsibility! It is a time for change.
A unique in depth interviewing strategy that interchanges questions and assesses responses based on a scale. Ambitions, desires, successes compared with actual position, results and displayed proven results.
Come now Wolf, do I need to list the County issues for you. We all know the critical issues, our unsustainable debt and lack of progress in employment or growth. I have not done a collection of areas for change as you suggest. We need smart minds with a vision to lead us to a better place. I will leave their “purpose and principals” with you as you seem to be more of an expert in those lines.
Gary: “Wolf, if you have been in a position to interview and hire for many years as I, you would know how to draw out a level of commitment.” I
Given that no one can predict with absolute certainty if a person will be successful in a job AND given that no candidate can predict if they will be successful in a job I’m keen to want to learn what you know.
Gary: “If you do not know what positive change would mean in this municipality with the multiple issues facing us then I can’t help you.”
That’s a pretty bold statement about change. Are these your changes you’re talking about or is this a collective list of changes you’ve gathered. Do tell what some of those positive changes might be.
Candidates running in Wards outside of where they live;
Bailey- Picton
Epstein – Picton
St.Jean – Picton
Lunn – Hillier
Maine – S.Marysburgh
Dunlop – Wellington (to be verified)
Fox – Hallowell
Wolf, if you have been in a position to interview and hire for many years as I, you would know how to draw out a level of commitment. If you do not know what positive change would mean in this municipality with the multiple issues facing us then I can’t help you. Holding them to their word would be the next time they run not reelecting someone again and again and again like some feel is an ok thing to do. They like to complain but continue to make the wrong choices. They end up with what they deserve.
Interesting Wolf ,if one does not see any of those qualities or have any faith in any of the Candidates fielded in their Ward should they cast a vote just to say they voted. The RIGHT to choose Sandy..
Gary: “No Wolf, I have quite a handful of new ones. I look for commitment to bring forward positive change. And I hold them to their word and the effort to bring that forward in policy.”
I’d love to know how you look for commitment?
What does positive change mean?
How do you hold politicians to their word before a next election?
And Paul, you have every right to your opinion too, as do we all in this democratic country we thankfully live in.
Voting is a right Sandy not a law and there’s no shame in not voting.
Smart energized women with careers and families should find it a breeze to take on the old boys’ club. They could blow it out of the water in nothing flat.
Wow!! Has anyone else listened to the Mayoral candidates introduction comments from the meeting of Rural Creative Minds posted on here? Mr.Quaiff displays confidence, experience, leadership and a will to deliver. Mr.Goddard must say “umhh” 25 times and provided no direction. Highlighting policing which is provincially dictated and offering not one solution was disappointing. How does he plan to lead and deliver as head of a municipality? With the obvious campaign $$ you would have thought they would have given him speaking notes.
No Wolf, I have quite a handful of new ones. I look for commitment to bring forward positive change. And I hold them to their word and the effort to bring that forward in policy. Unlike others I cannot just ignore old practice and poor results by rewarding them with my vote again and again and for some decades. And Marnie, a lot of smart energized women who have careers and families to raise have little time to take on the old boys club.
Gary: “And perhaps it’s time for voters to stop making the same old choices that result in continued failure.”
Does that mean you’ll be asking the same old questions of the new faces? 🙂
Haven’t you heard, Gary? The female of the species is more deadly than the male. A good councillor male or female needs broad shoulders and the ability to handle criticism and also the moxy to challenge bullies. It’s not a tea party it’s council and the verbal exchanges have been sharp at times through the years – not an admirable thing but it happens. Given that the so-called bully is reportedly so old it shouldn’t be that hard to cope with him. If women want equality they have to be prepared to step up to the plate and meet what comes at them head-on.
RESUMITTING COMMENT FROM EARLIER: (COMPUTER ISSUE)
Question on the 2010 ballot: Are you in favour of council commencing a public consultation process to review the size of council for the County of Prince Edward?
Yes 7569
No 1798
This and many other issues were never
resolved in the last 4 years…….less procrastination and more resolutions folks!…..are we any further ahead then we were 4 years ago. Question: If PEC was your business, financed out of your personal pocket, how would you run it?
And for those who don’t go to the polling stations and vote, shame on you. You live in a country where you can
voice your opinion, so do it.
Not if you took into consideration the bullying tactics of the old ones that haven’t changed. Further this new Council will not be represented proportionately well by females. This is sad. I would be suspicious that females are less likely to place themselves in a male dominated forum which has some history of not being accepting.
There have been enough new faces on council in recent times to blow holes in that theory Gary.
And perhaps it’s time for voters to stop making the same old choices that result in continued failure.
Marnie: ” For many years I have listened to election rhetoric and it is always the same.”
Could be that it’s time for voters to stop asking the same old questions. 🙂
Question on the ballot (2010): Are you in favour of council commencing a public consultation process to review the size of council for the County of Prince Edward?
Yes 7569
No 1798
Paul QUOTE:
“Wow San you really took my comment and wrapped a whole new meaning around it didn’t you..”
No, I think not. How so?
We have lost 3 of the 5 female council incumbents. If all of the few females running were successful we could only get back to 5 and most likely we will see a significant reduction.
Gary QUOTE:
“Did you witness the degrading comments leveled at Councilor Maynard?”
Wow, you saw that too, as did I, who felt that. This is just one degrading and bullying situation that just happened to be witnessed by a few ppl being in benches that day. Many folks don’t believe it even happened. How many other similar incidents go unnoticed. The mayor was at fault, fully responsible for letting that happen without even, as much as a “stop it”, totally unacceptable in the Hall.
This kind of disrespect cannot be allowed to continue, regardless of who is in there. Shameful Councillor Keith MacDonald and shameful Mayor Mertens.
I accept, without issue, any farmer taking on councillor. Diverse experience and lifestyle helps give perspective on any issue. This not to mention the old patriarchal attitudes that are ingrained which can be a blinder for women’s equality, sorry to say.
Admin. had much control over the “Fruit of the Loom” logo. It was going to be pushed through > a done deal. Soooo now we’re branded County Loomers. Use it or lose it.
Good golly Gary you sure can twist words around. That stupid logo was a bad decision on council’s part and I have not changed my mind about it. However I am not about to blame the “old” councillors for that decision. They could not possibly have carried the vote for that unfortunate bit of art all on their own. You seem to have a personal issue with the old farmer so I don’t think you are in a position to comment objectively on whether or not he has anything to contribute to council. If he is such a bully and has nothing to offer how come he gets elected every time? There must be a lot of county people who do not agree with your take on him.
Thanks Marnie. You have answered as expected. Your numerous prior concerns are now not so important. You also seem to support bullying by your beloved old farmer who has sat at the the table far too long and does not not want to pass the baton to new folks with fresh and eager platforms. Did you witness the degrading comments leveled at Councilor Maynard? You deserve the result you choose. I anticipate a whole lot less complaining about the old ways moving forward!
Council made some of those decisions as a whole Gary. I am sure that the “old farmer” could not have stopped any one of these ill-advised schemes single-handedly no matter how much he opposed them. The same is true for any other individual member of council who may have been a voice in the wilderness on certain issues. Bring on your newcomers and let’s see what wonders they work. You are hopelessly naive if you believe they will lead us to the promised land.
Wow San you really took my comment and wrapped a whole new meaning around it didn’t you..
So Marnie, you whined and cried and chewed for weeks on end about poor Council decisions in particular the “Fruit of the Loom” marketing logo. A total waste of $30,000 taxpayers dollars you inferred. Now you support the lot. So which is it Marnie? You just like to b…h but really do not desire change?
The Laverne you speak of is the North Marysburgh resident running in Picton correct. The same that slammed our new residents in this thread that have expanded our tax base that came with big City ideas correct. That’s the one right? Have you witnessed the contributions made by the other incumbent you raised the last 4 years? Little substance or input but the usual bullying. If you want change you have to stop making the same mistakes over and over. It’s time for a new direction.
I’d like to know where this careless talk got started that some ppl continue with instigating, propagating and perpetuating that council is not progressing or who have failed to move us forward!
This is a misleading notion. A sweeping statement made up to agitate, disturb and discredit folk. If one doesn’t get their own way on a couple of issues than the blabber starts to rumor. And, the newspapers use their propaganda or that misinformation of half-truths to continue their agenda.
Getting things done is not going to be any faster in an election first year. It’s the nature of the beast. When something in the system changes, the whole system changes and a further period of adjustment follows.
Revisiting “Getting things done” is like the elephant that has to pump sewage uphill. This is not wise to push in haste any decision. The system works the way it is set up to work. Slow and steady, NOT fast and furious in this instant gratification society.
Folks need to stop and get a reality check before they make themselves into a fool. “Loose lips sink ships”.
As the old saying goes Emily, I have heard ducks quack before. I am certain that some of the new candidates for council can bring something to the table but they are not likely to work the miracles that you seem to believe will take place once the old guard is vanquished. For many years I have listened to election rhetoric and it is always the same. The reality rarely resembles the extravagant promises made to the electorate. The “farmers and the older ones” do come to the table with a special insight. They know a little more about the county and its long-time residents than many of the newcomers. No problem with newcomers but no need to slag Laverne and Keith either. They are far from being country bumpkins.
No I didn’t step in anything Marnie. You seem to suggest that farmers and older ones come to the table with a special insight. That is an insult to the others. Old doesn’t mean smarter and better anymore than younger does. We have older Councilors who have failed to move us forward and have sat there a good many years. I merely suggest that we shouldn’t be blinded by the number of years on Council. When a Corporation is not progressing to the satisfaction of the shareholders which in this case is the taxpayer changes are generally in order. I believe the taxpayer would think we are at that point. New blood, new ideas, new approaches, experience and commitment that can lead a multi million dollar Corporation such as Prince Edward.
Nice one, Emily. You’ve just managed to plonk your foot in one of those old farmer’s cow patties. Farmers and a sailor they may be but to suggest that if they can figure it out so can the professionals is rude and insulting. Lots of farmers are smart, forward-thinking people who have a lot of common sense. They also tend to be true blue county. We need common sense a lot more than professional blather. It’s the intellectuals that scare me truth be told.
Old or New… they (council members and staff) all need to follow an agreed upon PURPOSE for this Municipal government and follow an agreed set of PRINCIPLES when making tough decisions on our behalf.
EDIT:
““Old councillors” are more likely than not to bring ”
Are more likely NOT to bring any fresh new ideas to the table.
Are you saying that “Old councillors” are more likely than not to bring any fresh new ideas to the table? The source for new ideas is the same for either. The young may have a different perspective due to their generation, and their age and stage in life.
It’s not only new ideas, some of the older ideas were fine and healthy but failed, due to other circumstances like when the baby got thrown out with the bath water.
Councillors, need honesty, integrity, willingness to do the right thing and be earnest in doing so, committed to negotiating their views, getting their voice and ideas heard and to be taken seriously with valuable input to contribute, not to be bullied down to a menial position. These are qualities and faux pas each brings to the table or not and all have to deal with.
Are they a team player or a renegade with a greedy, wild horse who might just get voted off the island next time round.
They gotta show up with the right intention. The taxpayers will soon see through any disguise when they sit face to face in Shire Hall to witness it. As will the newspapers formulate a take on it all through their profit and loss eyesight.
I’d like to see more ppl sitting on the benches in Shire Hall, getting the word straight from the horses mouth and watching the body language and fingers touching the face each time something is an untruth or covered up.
New or Old councillors will not matter. There are tough issues and it takes all of them to sort through it with common sense. Not just a few “for” or few “against” playing a power game. Blah.