It was another packed house for the second municipal candidates’ debate in Timmins.
Hosted by the Timmins Chamber of Commerce at Northern College, the night featured candidates running in Ward 2, 3 and 4.
Here are highlights of the priorities that Ward 2 (South Porcupine) candidates shared in their opening and closing comments:
When Mickey Auger moved to South Porcupine in the 1970s, he said it was booming.
“The thing is South End and Porcupine are dying. We have to get infrastructure and get more business in town to support the people in the community,” he said.
Living on Connaught Hill, where there aren’t any bus stops, he sees “seniors 86 years old and 83 walking downtown to go to catch a bus at the transit to go shopping or whatever, and that’s not right because there’s bears around, there’s all kinds of stuff. There’s no reason for that.”
He would push to have a bus on the hill twice a day.
Education and getting more young people trained for jobs in the north is also a priority.
This election, he wants people to vote in a “new council all around.”
“New people, new ideas – young and old, so if you’ve got a chance vote for me and I’ll tell ya I’ll be in your corner and I’m not afraid to back down from anybody,” he said.
Lorne Feldman says this is one of the most important elections in years.
“The city is at a crossroads with residents facing spiraling taxes, increasing water and sewer and some of the highest gasoline and hydro rates in the province,” he said.
In talking to people, he said there is a want for affordable property taxes, responsible spending, new development in the east end, and an effective strategy to clean up Porcupine Lake, as well as other items.
He said residents deserve an affordable and enjoyable quality of life.
“In order to achieve these worthwhile goals, our leaders need to strike a balance between being responsible and progressive. These two qualities cannot be mutually exclusive,” he said.
As the parent of a young child, he supports an array of recreational activities in the community.
“In order to further enhance the recreational experience, I would support a strategic partnership with the YMCA to ensure our entire community continues to receive exceptional recreational services without adding to the already immense tax burden faced by our residential homeowners and local business entrepreneurs,” he said.
Jean Fex says he can help deal with today’s issues and plan for tomorrow’s issues.
He has a number of pledges if elected.
“To push forward the preservation of our lakes and riverways with short and longterm achievable goals. To have open eyes, transparent dealings with all people. To respect members of council and all citizens in our city alike,” said Fex.
He said he would also be fiscally responsible and continue his pledge to the youth of the city.
Walter Wawrzaszek is the incumbent in the ward.
Moving forward, some of his concerns are infrastructure, roads, sewer and water, continuing the Connecting Link upgrades, which he hopes the province will take back, and working with the Friends of the Porcupine River Watershed to clean up Porcupine Lake. He would also like to bring back the committee system to council and see new budget and agenda procedures.
“The mayor and council along with department heads must work together to realize more savings and smoother operations for the city,” he said.
To keep and attract young people, he said the city has to work with organizations.
“We should engage with other stakeholders to expand and create new jobs, which will result in affordable and quality of life for all,” he said.
Last week, the chamber held a debate for the mayoral candidates at O’Gorman High School. You can read about that here.
Another debate for candidates in Ward 1 and 5 is being held tonight at College Boreal starting at 6 p.m.
Read more on the Timmins election here.
