Monthly Archives: October 2010

10.09.10
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The municipal vote — destined to be a political throw down?

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We’ve had some explosive election campaigns in the last 20 years or so — witness the Cliff Barwick versus Janet Golding battle that launched the political career of a young Steve Peters.

However, the prevailing atmosphere entering the final countdown to this month’s municipal vote is nothing short of distressing.

Does every lobby group, neighbourhood association and loose-knit organization have to put forth a slate of candidates which, if the rest of the voters don’t support, St. Thomas will go to hell in a hand-cart?

We have a city developer with his list of magnificent seven who must comprise the majority of the new council or we will languish in the quagmire, while the rest of the country passes us by.

My, what a responsibility we voters face if we fail to follow suit.
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10.06.10
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What will the city do to ensure 1,400 youngsters continue to play soccer?

Posted by Ian:
We call him Mr. Soccer because no one has done more to build any one sport in St. Thomas than Bob Luft. His passion for delivering the beautiful game to young players in the city and surrounding area has never faltered, despite bouts of apathy and unfulfilled commitments on the part of various editions of St. Thomas.

I will declare my bias right up front … I have coached for many years at the house league level and have enjoyed watching many of my players grow, not only as players, but now as young adults actively contributing to the fibre of St. Thomas.

Below are the responses to a new concern raised by the St. Thomas Soccer Club and put forth to all candidates in the Oct. 25 municipal vote. What is most disappointing is the trickle of input received to date.

Here is Bob’s request for comments:

Ladies and Gentlemen:

I am writing because I am concerned about the future of the Central Elgin Soccer Complex, which is located East of the Regional Health Centre and North of the Ontario Provincial Police Station.

The Ontario Realty Corporation is leasing the property to the Municipality of Central Elgin on a yearly basis. As far as I know the agreement can be cancelled on a one year’s notice. This leaves the house league operation of the St. Thomas Soccer Club in a vulnerable position, because at present there is no replacement location
in sight.

1,400 boys and girls from the City of St. Thomas and the Munipalities of Central Elgin and Southwold are using the fields from early May to the middle of August from Monday to Thursday evenings.

I would like to know what your plans are for the future of soccer fields in the City of St. Thomas.

Regards,
Robert Luft

Here are the responses received so far by Bob:
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10.05.10
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The Dalton McGuinty government says it’s showing lobbyists the door.

St. Thomas-Elgin General Hospital was one of 14 hospitals which used taxpayer dollars to hire a lobbyist to get more money from the government.

Here’s more on the practice from the Toronto Sun …

Health Minister Deb Matthews said Tuesday she will introduce legislation to ban public institutions such as hospitals and universities from using tax dollars to hire consultants who lobby government for more tax dollars.

“There was a day when that’s how business got done,” she said. “We can’t afford that any more.”

Ontario NDP Leader Andrea Horwath identified 14 hospitals and nine universities and colleges that retained private lobbyists to approach the government.

“These public dollars should be going into front line services,” Horwath said.
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10.03.10
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Cooperation among St. Thomas and neighbouring councils top election issue – Chamber of Commerce survey

The St. Thomas & District Chamber of Commerce has completed a pre-election survey of area businesses to list and rank priorities as seen by local employers and employees.

Of 26 topics and issues measured, harmony and co-operation among all local governments is the top issue. On an importance scale of 1 to 10, survey participants ranked harmony and co-operation with an average score of 8.93.

Rounding out The Top 10 issues:

2. Value for taxes 8.86
3. Having a visible “Vision” statement prioritizing short-term & long-term projects 8.36
4. Increasing local focus or resources on economic development 8.33
5. Downtown or commercial area(s) quality and development 8.06
6. Local buying/sourcing of products & services 8.00
7. Roads, water services, sewers and sidewalks 7.96
8. Waste management, collection & recycling 7.77
9. “Customer Service” by municipal staff 7.77
10. Municipal debt load 7.71

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10.02.10
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Make St. Thomas a bicycle friendly community

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Thanks to Ald. Lori Baldwin-Sands for passing along the current Share the Road Cycling Coalition newsletter.

It’s timely in that it outlines The Active Communities Pledge – an initiative to increase the visibility of active transportation issues in the upcoming municipal elections.

Here is a relevant excerpt:

“With just under month before the October 25th municipal election we ask that you do what you can to engage your colleagues – and your candidates – where you live in the discussion about how to ensure that cycling is a part of the vibrant debates which are taking place in communities across Ontario.

Your first step should be to ask your local candidates to sign the Active Community Pledge on our website – all the information you need to get going follows this message. The Pledge is already up and running here

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10.02.10
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Inspection report points to water protocol deficiencies

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A report coming to council Monday indicates the city’s water distribution system had compliance issues, albeit relatively minor, dating back to a boil water advisory issued in September of last year.

The risk to the drinking water supply was minimal, however the Ministry of the Environment water inspection report is significant in that it may prove a precursor to events emanating from two boil water advisories issued in August and September of this year.

The MOE report, issued after a May 11, 2010 inspection of the city’s water distribution system, found three non-compliance issues which did not meet regulatory requirements. Nevertheless, the final inspection rating was 94.44%.

It is the nature of the non-compliance issues that is disturbing — issues that point to weaknesses in or an absence of clear protocol for the management of the water distribution system.
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