1) Why are you running?
Hello, I’m Bill Stewart, encumbent in Ward 2, Muncipality of Kincardine along with the current President of the Tiverton and District Lions Club. Why am I running? Like my Father, we feel that we need to give back to our community, it’s in our DNA. With my common sense approach to politics, I feel that my past experience and strong business acumen allows me to effectively manage the annual budget process in a way to minimize tax increases but to maximize the staff performance.
2) Are there any steps municipalities can take to help ease cost of living concerns?
The Muncipality has limited opportunities in easing the costs of living, but we can do some things to support costs reductions. A) minimize the annual tax increases. B) add more diversity in our housing mix, by changing the planning rules and regulations. C) push our existing development projects faster through the process. D) working with our upper levels of government with their programs.
3) What are your ideas for economic development in your municipality?
We have a large number of projects waiting for County approval. The County planning department is short staff and has caused our projects to be delayed. We are looking at having our own planner on staff to speed up our development. We have 6 or 7, large residential subdivisions, ready to start building and at least 3 commercial projects awaiting final approval. We have two commercial sites that have the services in place but still looking for developers, behind No Frills and south of Sobeys. Staff is currently working on promoting these two sites with local developers.
4) Do you think the municipality has a role to play in the recruitment and retention of physicians and other healthcare workers?
Just to clarify, the responsibility for physicians and health care staff is the Provincial Government. Unfortunately, the Province has not been able to meet our needs, so we have become directly involved with our own program. We currently have a physician, recruitment and retain program, a new nurse practitioner program to be in place 2023, we support a nurse and doctor staff program at our local hospital and have our own medical centre. Our financial commitment for a better community health care program costs the taxpayers over $500,000 annually.
5)What would you like to see in Kincardine for growth-related development?
More facilities and programs for our young teenagers. We lack activities and facilities for this age group, 12 to 18 years old.
6) What would you like to see included in the Waterfront Master Plan?
The Waterfront Master Plan should have a variety of facilities ( picnic shelter, bandstand, washrooms, sunset viewing areas, food truck areas, outdoor bars and restaurants) and sport areas, (volleyball, tennis, etc). This would attract more locals and visitors to our community. Our biggest asset is our coastal Waterfront/ beaches and has been under valued for years. The town beach areas need improving but the beaches outside the town need to remain natural…