Greater Sudbury Ward 1 candidates weigh in on council votes

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NOTE:This is the first of CBCSudbury'sward-by-ward series of interviews with GreaterSudburymunicipal election candidates.

Matt Alexander

Age:34

Occupation:Land Use Planner

Community involvement:

- Planning intern in the office of a Toronto city councillor - responded to constituent questions and reviewed development applications
- Green plan coordinator at the Ralph Thornton Community Centre - Reviewed the centre's sustainability strategy and created educational programming for day camp users
- Founder, WikiSudbury and @SudburyLives - Organized edit-a-thons to increase Sudbury's presence on Wikipedia, and promoted Sudbury's arts and culture scene through twitter.

Top 3 issues for whole city:

Smarter Spending, not Careless Cutting-- We need long-term strategies for providing the services residents expect and that will make our economy more resilient.

Transparency and Accountability- Transparency and accountability are core principles of democracy because they demonstrate to voters how their interests are being served rather than the those of lobbyists.

Economic Diversification- As the largest city in northern OntarioSudburyneeds to do more to encourage employment in sectors that aren't dependent on mineral prices.

Top 3 issues for your ward:

Community Consultation-The public response to road work onSouthviewDr., new development proposals inMoongloand the controversy over theHCIfund demonstrate that residents don't trust city hall to make decisions that are in their best interests. I'll restore that trust through regularpre-councilneighbourhood meetings, participatory budgeting to determine how taxes are spent in Ward 1.

Affordability- Residents expect a higher standard of living for the amount of taxes we pay. My goal is to make the desirable parts of Ward 1 more affordable, and the affordable parts of Ward 1 more desirable.

Investment in Existing Neighbourhoods- The greatest return on investment for the city comes from improving our existing neighbourhoods because the public infrastructure is already in place and services are already allocated for these areas.

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past term?Please respond with yes or no.

(From Feb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating when retail stores are allowed to open and close?

Yes. This is a non-issue as far as I'm concerned.

(From Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as it's closed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm calledAmberleyGavel?

No. The cost alone should have been enough of a disincentive to turf Andre Marin. I think the Ombudsman is fully capable of performing his duties without his trademarksnarkiness, but I also wouldn't take it personally.

(From Dec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a $50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward?

No. The city should make available an appropriate amount of public money for residents of each ward to determine the best way to spend it in their community. Participatory Budgeting has been successful in Hamilton, Guelph, St. Louis, Chicago, and other communities all over the world.

(From Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arena replacing theSudburyArena with the aim of having the project underway by the end of 2014?

The city should establish criteria and performance measures, but let the private sector drive the project.

(From Dec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9% property tax increase?

No. Council should adopt budgets that are fiscally responsible, provide the services residents expect and make responsible payments on the debt taken on for long-term investments.

Website:http://www.electmattalexander.com/

DenisFerron

Age:48

Occupation:maintenance manager

Community involvement:

Top 3 issues for whole city: roads, development , image

Top 3 issues for your ward:construction and development , senior care , child care

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past term?Please respond with yes or no.

(From Feb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating when retail stores are allowed to open and close?

Yes

(From Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as it's closed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm calledAmberleyGavel?

No

(From Dec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a $50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward?

No

(From Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arena replacing theSudburyArena with the aim of having the project underway by the end of 2014?

Yes

(From Dec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9% property tax increase?

Yes

Website:www.votedenisferron.com

Mathieu Labonte

Age: 24

Occupation: Warehouse Associate, Labourer, Business Owner

Community involvement: Past volunteer blue coat at Science North, Past volunteer at Extendicare York

Top 3 issues for whole city: My number one issue for the city is road management. Construction is not being completed in a timely manner, the roads themselves aren't in the best of shape and it's hurting Sudburians and local businesses where it matters, in their wallets. A better managed road system ultimately means savings for each and every one of us, as well as less time stuck in traffic, and less pollution.I would also include a commitment to having dedicated walking and biking paths across the city, which I believe would make motorists, pedestrians and cyclists better off, instead of simply tacking in bike lanes and forcing more interactions.

My number two issue would be making city hall more accessible. An informed community is a healthy community, and having more information about the day to day activities of the city, as well as more outlets to receive meaningful feedback from the public for large projects, and timely updates on those projects, is something I would like to see implemented across Sudbury.

My number three issue would be focusing on meaningful growth opportunities for businesses in the city. The city and the Chamber of Commerce have been fixated on the downtown core and deregulating store hours, meanwhile businesses in other areas have been suffering. Local shops on Regent st. have seen their businesses hit hard by delayed roadwork, and the same would go for other areas of town. Sudbury needs a council committed to working for all business, and councillors willing to act to bring real opportunities for growth forward, instead of fixating on what polls well.

Top 3 issues for your ward:

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past
term... please respond with yes or no...

(from Feb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating
when retail stores are allowed to open and close?
While I had my own ideas about store hours regulation, I chose to research the subject. As a result, I would have to vote no to scrapping the bylaw. While it may seem convenient to have 24 hour shopping 365 days a week, there really isn't a need for it in the city.

(from Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as itsclosed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm called AmberleyGavel?

Absolutely not. A city should be accountable for what happens, both in public and behind closed doors, and simply picking the most favourable investigator is no way to keep the city in line.

(from Dec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a$50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward?

The $50,000 HCI fund shouldn't go to the councillor to be spent at their discretion, it should be spent according to the ward residents' wishes, with all expenditures accounted for. Participatory budgeting should be employed to ensure that money is spent the way the people want.

(from Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arenareplacing the Sudbury Arena with the aim of having the project underway bythe end of 2014?

Absolutely. As a northern hub town which brings in tourism from all over the area for concerts and events, a proper Arena means more money being brought into the city.

(from Dec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9%property tax increase?

Unsure, as I have yet to read it line by line.

Sidney Shapiro

Age: 34

Occupation: Small business owner, PhD candidate

MarkSignoretti

Age:43

Occupation:Owner/President of Premier Equipment Finance

Community involvement:

Top 3 issues for whole city: Road Conditions, High Taxes, Economic Development

Top 3 issues for your ward:Road Conditions,EnvironmentIssue, Traffic Safety and Speed on our roads

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past term... please respond with yes or no...

(from Feb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating when retail stores are allowed to open and close?Yes but there is a referendum that will speak to this and the residents will be voting to make this decision.

(from Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as it's closed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm called Amberley Gavel?No. I believe we need to have an open door policy and all information should be transparent.

(from Dec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a $50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward? No. The HCI Fund should be revisited and only kept if usedappropriatelyin the community/ward.

(from Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arena replacing the Sudbury Arena with the aim of having the project underway by the end of 2014? I believe that this project is very important and should be high priority but I want to make sure extensive research has been completed first before we move forward.

(from Dec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9% property tax increase? No we should find ways to reduce this amount if possible.

PaulSoucie

Age:68

Occupation:businessman

Community involvement:

• 10 years onSudburyMemorial Hospital Board of Directors
• DirectorSudburyand District Chamber of Commerce
• Founding Member United Way board
• chairmanLockerbyparents association

Top 3 issues for city:

• council working together as a unit in order to move city forward
• transparency
• elimination of council slush funds

Top 3 issues for Ward 1:

• ensure value for hard earned tax dollars by eliminating wasteful spending
• planned preventative maintenance of our roads and water/sewer infrastructure
• protection of our lakes and waterways

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past term?Please respond with yes or no.

(FromFeb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating when retail stores are allowed to open and close?

No

(From Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as it's closed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm calledAmberleyGavel?

No

(FromDec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a $50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward?

No

(From Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arena replacing theSudburyArena with the aim of having the project underway by the end of 2014?

No

(FromDec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9% property tax increase?

No

Website:www.votepaulsoucieward1.com

Chris Spry

Age:33

Occupation:Health and safety professional

Community involvement:Northern Cancer Foundation (Gentlemen for Hope), Ten Rainbows Foundation

Top 3 issues for whole city:Taxes, Roads, Attracting new business

Top 3 issues for your ward:Taxes, Roads, Hydro Prices

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past term?Please respond with yes or no.

(FromFeb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating when retail stores are allowed to open and close?

Yes

(From Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as it's closed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm calledAmberleyGavel?

No

(FromDec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a $50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward?

No

(From Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arena replacing theSudburyArena with the aim of having the project underway by the end of 2014?

Yes

(FromDec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9% property tax increase?

No

Website:www.votechrisspry.ca

TomTrainor

Occupation:Retired

Community involvement:

• Chair - North East Community Care Access Centre 2006-2012
• Board Member & Chair -SudburyCommunity Care Access Centre 2002-2006
• Past Chair - Child and Family Centre,Sudbury
• Past Chair - Board of Directors, Community Living,Sudbury
• Past Chair - Board, Walden Mentally and Physically Handicapped
• Present Member - Patient & Family Advisory Council for the Northeast Cancer Centre.

Top 3 issues for whole city

• Accountability at all levels from mayor and council to the front line staff
• Work to keep seniors in their homes, not taxing them out of them
• Infrastructure - roads, sewer, water

Top 3 issues for your ward:

• Accountability at all levels from mayor and council to the front line staff
• Work to keep seniors in their homes, not taxing them out of them
• Infrastructure - roads, sewer, water

How would you have voted on the following resolutions from this past term? Please respond with yes or no.

(From Feb. 10, 2011) Should the city scrap its bylaw 2004-204 regulating when retail stores are allowed to open and close?

Yes

(From Feb. 12/26 2012) Should the city remove the Ontario Ombudsman as it's closed meeting investigator and instead retain a firm calledAmberleyGavel?

No. Theyshould'vekept the Ombudsman

(From Dec. 5, 2012) Should the city continue to give each councillor a $50,000 Healthy Communities Initiative Fund to spend in their ward?

Yes, with accountability on where that money is spent

(From Oct. 9, 2013) Should the city fast-track plans for a new arena replacing theSudburyArena with the aim of having the project underway by the end of 2014?

No. There are far more critical issues to be dealt with than a new arena

(From Dec. 11, 2013) Should council approve the 2014 budget with a 2.9% property tax increase?

No.