For our Pier Guardian Special Edition, Oct 2010, we addressed a questionnaire to all mayoral and council candidates in the Port Hope municipal election. The questions posed depend on the position the candidate is seeking, and whether or not the candidate is an incumbent. The full responses are reproduced below, with the questions included in italics.
Robert Chatten, Candidate for Mayor
Q-1. At present, and it has not always been the case, all members of PH council sit on the Harbour Commission with only two citizen appointments. As you know, HC as a private corporation follows different rules of openness and accountability than council even though its considerable waterfront land assets are owned by the citizens. What would you do to change the relation between HC and the citizenry?
Q-2. As Mayor, you would be responsible for carrying forward the municipality’s current plan for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. Would you make any changes to the current plan? Do you have confidence in the economic viability of the plan?
Q-3. What do you think would be a good outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier?
Mayoral candidate Robert Chatten submitted the following responses to Candidates Questions by e-mail on September 23. Unfortunately they went to an unknown address. The Pier Guardian finally received them on October 16th, after the Pier Guardian had been printed and distributed.
1. There should be more concerned citizens on the board for hc.
2. I believe that there should be room for more than 250 as more and more people are buying boats and it would take the overcrowding that is already in cobourg plus the other people who have to dock their boats elsewhere.
3. I think those buildings once handed back from cameco cleaned out will serve as a drawing card for small business/ industry to come in.
John Floyd, Candidate for Mayor
Q-1. At present, and it has not always been the case, all members of PH council sit on the Harbour Commission with only two citizen appointments. As you know, HC as a private corporation follows different rules of openness and accountability than council even though its considerable waterfront land assets are owned by the citizens. What would you do to change the relation between HC and the citizenry?
Q-2. As Mayor, you would be responsible for carrying forward the municipality’s current plan for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. Would you make any changes to the current plan? Do you have confidence in the economic viability of the plan?
Q-3. What do you think would be a good outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier?
A-1. First, it has not been open and transparent; it has been used as a tool of council for secrecy and deception in Port Hope. To make this organization work for the people of the municipality we need to change the composition of the Harbour Commission to have more private citizens and the mayor and 1 member of council, only, to be the defacto members of the commission. It will NOT be business as usual.
A-2. I absolutely oppose the current harbour plan. There have been no meetings regarding the public divesture of the harbour. Likely there have been undisclosed harbour committee meetings. There is a total lack of openness and transparency in the process. There is no financial plan put into place, in fact the waterfront and trail committee asked Mr. John Playfair, an international financier, to see about securing funds for this marina, and he reported that there were no funds to be found. Mr. Playfair said “ the marina was a charade” and he resigned the volunteer position in protest. I would do everything in my power to reverse the marina divesture of the harbour, stop the $600,000 environmental assessment on the east beach. There is no workable, feasible plan for the marina and the municipality has currently demonstrated there isn’t one.
A-3. I feel that all options should be on the table with regards to the buildings and that there is time to put together a comprehensive plan that would be very positive for Port Hope and for the people. I would say that these are valuable buildings we cannot afford to throw them into landfill.
This reminds me of the old post office that was torn down. This is a great opportunity; let’s work with the people in our community.
William Spotton, Candidate for Mayor
Q-1. At present, and it has not always been the case, all members of PH council sit on the Harbour Commission with only two citizen appointments. As you know, HC as a private corporation follows different rules of openness and accountability than council even though its considerable waterfront land assets are owned by the citizens. What would you do to change the relation between HC and the citizenry?
Q-2. As Mayor, you would be responsible for carrying forward the municipality’s current plan for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. Would you make any changes to the current plan? Do you have confidence in the economic viability of the plan?
Q-3. What do you think would be a good outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier?
1. The Port Hope Harbour Commission is a Public institution, whatever its legal status. I would institute open meetings as the norm. We would publish minutes, agendas and supporting documents of meetings in a timely and accessible fashion. We should restructure the Commission with better balance of non elected citizens.
2. The plan is a 20 year old plan. I suppose the same people that are going to invest in the 250 boat slips are the same people who were to buy into the Penryn Estates off Lakeshore, which while in its 7th year of building is only now into YEAR 2 of its plan?
Those parts of the plan that can be shown through funding commitments to be economically viable will move forward. However, our primary waterfront is our Riverfront from the Pier as one development anchor to the old file factory. This should be our focus.
3. Rehabilitation and utilization, I would like an investigation of Brownfield and infrastructure funding, possibly even Rural Economic Development (RED) funding (they just funded Newmarket’s downtown renewal!?-for Toronto anything outside the old Metro boundaries is rural, I guess) for a private-public community project with the current buildings incorporated into the use.
Davidson Tate, Candidate for Mayor
Q-1. At present, and it has not always been the case, all members of PH council sit on the Harbour Commission with only two citizen appointments. As you know, HC as a private corporation follows different rules of openness and accountability than council even though its considerable waterfront land assets are owned by the citizens. What would you do to change the relation between HC and the citizenry?
Q-2. As Mayor, you would be responsible for carrying forward the municipality’s current plan for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. Would you make any changes to the current plan? Do you have confidence in the economic viability of the plan?
Q-3. What do you think would be a good outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier?
1. I think it unfortunate; an opportunity missed that Harbour Commission/Council didn’t just say something like, “This isn’t the direction we were thinking of, but let’s take a look anyhow.” They have spent two years fighting against our neighbours when we could have been building ideas. As I have stated in my platform information I am interested including the entire citizenry of the Municipality of Port Hope in planning our direction. I will do this by making sure we (you) know when and where information is accessible and that more than the minimum requirement of one public meeting is held on such important issues. I will ask council’s approval to generally include issues that arise be published in bullet form in the town’s regular information section of the newspaper. I will also ask Council’s approval to put a similar section on our website with a 50 word response box that would regularly be distributed to our elected council. It behoves the Harbour Commission and Council to include input from our residents, I will be listening.
2. The short answer, given the recent track record of transparency or lack thereof and the voice from our community as they elect a new Council, a complete review is necessary to fill in the gaps that the public have been questioning.
3. If restoration after clean-up is viable, an educational facility with public café overlooking the lake could be just one part of so many creative ideas our citizens and a group like yours will come up with. This is your town; our town; I am listening.
4. I do not know the By-Laws governing the Harbour Commission. We do know that Harbour Commissions all over the province seem to be in conflict with their host towns and cities and surely better relationships can be formed. Let’s do this together.
Linda Thompson, Incumbent Mayor
Q. Harbour Commission of which you are currently Chair, is of the view that the buildings on the Centre Pier should be demolished without further study or investigation. Please explain why you support this position and describe your vision for the post PHAI Centre Pier.
The Waterfront and Harbour – The redevelopment of the Port Hope waterfront is an exciting project which has been a long time coming. By coordinating with the LLRW cleanup and Cameco's Vision 2010 project, the Municipality will avoid duplication of work and incur fewer costs. With private and public partnerships to provide financing, the plan is to construct a marina in front and east of the harbour mouth. The east and west beaches will remain a sandy swimming area and a pebble beach respectively. Contamination on the entire centre pier will be removed to the depth of 1.5 metres, and the pier will be used as a staging area throughout the full cleanup. Cameco owns and therefore holds the liability and risk for the buildings on the pier. These buildings are in very bad shape and Cameco has condemned sections of them. They have been directed to remove the buildings as part of the clean-up. If the buildings were to be left standing, the Municipality would assume responsibility for them. I believes the cost of securing, maintaining and possibly restoring these buildings would cost in the tens of millions of dollars, and I do not want to take this risk with taxpayer dollars. It is possible that some of the buildings' materials may be salvaged for use elsewhere. There are many possibilities for future use of the centre pier, to be determined through community consultation after the clean up is complete.
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Ward 1 Council Candidates
Rick Austin, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. As a returning member of council and member of the Harbour Commission, would you support exploring the idea that the industrial buildings (some or all) on the Centre Pier could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community?
Q-2. As returning member of council explain your support for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. What do you know about the financial viability of this marina development.
1. I believe if there is a company or group of people that has a good business plan and the financing to implement the business plan than council should investigate. If there there is no business plan then the buildings should come down at NO cost to the taxpayers.
2. I would like council to investigate if we really need a harbour commission that the municipality owns the harbour. If we do NOT need the commission maybe there should be a harbour committee made up of one councillor and four members of the municipality.
David Craig, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
Re: demolition of the pier buildings. My Answer: destroying such buildings would be a demolition of something historic that could be turned into an advantage for the Harbour Commission and the Municipality. There are beautiful waterfronts that contain old buildings or "older" buildings that have been transformed into tourist attractions, valuable use locations and a host of other symbols of municipal pride. If elected, I would be prepared to go so far as to introduce a motion that would rescind the current decision and over that 5 year period, develop a plan for refurbishing the structures and making them an active and attractive fixture for our lakefront.
Re: the Harbour Commission. The current harbour commission consists of politicians who really have no idea of harbour operations or for that matter how an effective HC really works. Council should examine the Toronto Harbour Commission and the Hamilton Harbour Commission to recognize how they are structured and then seek a means through a council decision to reorganize in Port Hope to make certain of accountability to the citizens while at the same time ordering up a new and powerful transparency enabling all of us to witness the decisions, understand the operations and finances and be open to the ideas of the citizens best served by a useful commission that could be opened to some non-elected participants.
John Dietz, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
I am running for Council in Ward 1. Port Hope as I see a need for total change in the Administration and Council. It is time for the rate payers to take the Community and run it in a responsible and efficient manner.
If elected, I will pursue the following:
(1) Effect sound fiscal responsibilities. Let’s get our Council and the Administration to provide up-to-date information on the Town’s finances, e.g. – Is there any reason why the Town’s audited financial statement council be available sooner (December – June).
(2) Totally open up Council meetings – Closed – In session meetings must be reduced – I feel certain issues require Council discussion.
(3) Rural and urban Development throughout both Wards 1 & 2. Not just in Ward 1.
(4) Support the Cultural Arts, Library, Museums, etc. in both Wards. We now are one Municipality.
(5) We are spending hundred of thousands to renew the Waterfront which I support, but is this expenditure necessary before the P.H.A.I. if finalized.
(6) If Elected, I will become a Member of the Harbour Commission, and I support it being open and transparent.
These are my basic issues, among others which I would like to see addressed and with your help and support on October 25th they can be realized.
Mary Lou Ellis, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. Yes, I most certainly do. Anything could and likely will happen in the five years it will take for the PHAI to actually complete clean up of the harbor areas. It might end up being 10 years in which case the golden opportunity to rethink the demolition just doubled. If we tear down the buildings today we simply will not have them tomorrow.
2. It really doesn’t matter to me whether, at the end of the day, there is a Farmer’s Market two days a week, restaurants, a satellite campus, a research centre, or a collection of trendy boutiques or a combination of all of these. It will a wonderful space and the possibilities are endless.
What matters to me most is that nothing “slips through the cracks” in the meantime. I certainly do not want to see a “Shopper’s Drug Mart” on the Centre Pier because someone dropped the ball and wasn’t paying attention and asking the right questions and demanding the answers.
The Pier Group has been very vigilant in terms of questioning and watching every development between the Harbour Commission/Council and Cameco on the transfer of these buildings and the lands. Continued inspection of every detail has to continue. Several extra pairs of eyes need to remain trained on Council/HC and Cameco. If not, something horrible will happen and it will be too late to fix it. Keep up the good work!
3. You cannot make something transparent. It either is or it isn’t and in the case of the present Harbour Commission – it isn’t.
If elected, I would certainly support a reorganization of the HC. I think a formal bylaw should be prepared specifically dealing with the Harbour Commission and its accountability to the residents of this town. So much is at stake now and certainly will be for the next five years. The public has a right to know what is going on with every deal quietly made. There is not one decision with respect to the Centre Pier and surrounding lands and walkways that should not be divulged to the public. Not one decision from now on.
Bob Johnston, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. Absolutely and I've said so in public, within my campaign literature, and on my www.Johnston4Council.ca website.
2. The best outcome would include employment opportunities, heritage preservation and thus the attraction of tourists and local residents to the buildings. In other words, bring the buildings and the surrounding harbour area back to life, while offering space for new businesses, events and community gathering.
3. Nothing would be more welcome that improved accountability and transparency in Port Hope. These too I have called for in public, within my campaign literature, and on my www.Johnston4Council.ca website
Jeff Lees, candidate for Council, incumbent, Ward 1
Q-1. As a returning member of council and member of the Harbour Commission, would you support exploring the idea that the industrial buildings (some or all) on the Centre Pier could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community?
Q-2. As returning member of council explain your support for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. What do you know about the financial viability of this marina development.
1. yes, as a returning member of council and member of the harbour commission , i would explore the idea that the industrial buildings (some or all) on the centre pier could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community. I would like to see a full and comprehensive business plan from thePier Group that would include the fact that it would not cost the taxpayer any tax increases. at this time we have a deal with Cameco that costs the taxpayer nothing.
2, as a returning member of council i would support a 250 slip recreational marina in a fazed approach. i believe there would be commercial and private partnerships with shared costs available. Port Hope deserves a first class harbour. i think we must explore all options to go forward.
John Morand, candidate for Council, Ward 1
I am a previously elected council member as well as an unelected council candidates. I will answer both.
Q-1. As a returning member of council and member of the Harbour Commission, would you support exploring the idea that the industrial buildings (some or all) on the Centre Pier could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community?
Q-2. As returning member of council explain your support for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. What do you know about the financial viability of this marina development.
1. I resigned from the Harbour Commission when I was on council because I felt that the Commissioners were not properly representing the public and were exposing themselves to future legal action for breach of trust.
I believe that the Harbour Commissioners should call for an international competition inviting architectural and development corporations to enter a competition to provide the best people oriented design for the center pier and award a $35,000 price to the design accepted by the public. We could involve the entire community in this exciting international adventure. I believe that such a competition would show us the true value of the existing buildings. Personally, I would utilize the buildings through private public partnerships.
2. As former President and CEO of the Toronto Harbour Commissioners and Port Authority that operated a 700+ marina in Toronto that was never full I believe that insufficient market research has been done to identify the size of the slips, the potential market and the accessory business and economic spin off from the proposed marina as well as sources of financing.
As a new candidate not elected over the past four years i would respond tot he following questions:
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. Yes, it is a golden opportunity to hold an international competition to get proposals for the best use of the pier and buildings as well as sources of financing from the private sector. It is crazy to be spending $600,000 of taxpayers funds completing an Environmental Assessment without proper current market research or potential partners for the proposed development or the LLRW clean-up being substantially complete.
2. That they be used for the benefit of the community if funds can be raised from the private sector or on a private public partnership for redevelopment once the buildings and property have been remediated.
3. Yes, in the previous election campaign i suggested that the Commissioners be appointed from the community with skills important to the proper operation of the Commission and that only the Mayor sit on the Commission; that the Commission elect its own chair and manage its funds and development of the lands in question. That was the original concept that has been abandoned. Elected officials sitting as Harbour Commissioners have a conflict or an appearance of conflict in my opinion. all meetings should be open and save for statute protected items everything should be discussed in public and minutes be available free.
Robert Polutnik, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. I believe that discussion should not end until an agreement has been reached, which it appears for many it has not. To agree to something today for something that won't be begun for at least 5 years may be considered folly and we need to keep all of our options open - especially on items that we cannot reverse. We have time to get everything on the table and talk about it, so everyone can start to make meaningful decision.
2. “Plan at nothing and you will hit your target with supreme accuracy each and every time”. Save a historic building? Preserve our industrial heritage? Put in a marina hoping people will come? Turn 11 acres into a park in the shadow of an industrial plant? All of these are fraught with more questions than there are answers. We have the time to create a vision and discuss the need, benefit or desire to preserve the buildings on the centre pier. Ultimately the Centre Pier's use will follow the provision of someone's vision (it should be ours) and someone's willingness to pay for it. I for one have not seen in any proposed plan for how it integrates with our downtown core and this deserves our undivided attention TODAY. Let's get this right before we paint ourselves into a corner.
3. Automatic admission to the Harbour Commission I believe is the wrong policy. Harbour development is an expensive proposition and this commission deserves our very best people working on it, that may not automatically be council. Let's build on what we have. Let's staff our commission with experts that can create a vision that fits within our means, vision and of course, while I don't believe anything gets done by committee it doesn't mean we should operate by keeping people in the dark.
Patricia Sinnott, candidate for Council, Ward 1
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. Proposed demolition of buildings on Centre Pier
I agree that we now have a golden opportunity to rethink the decision made by the current Harbour Commission and Port Hope Council to demolish the historic buildings on the Centre Pier. Port Hope began as an industrial community on the banks of the Ganaraska River which was used to drive water mills for agricultural and manufacturing purposes. The Lake Ontario waterfront enabled transport of both raw materials and finished products around the Great Lakes as well as across the Atlantic. I believe that it is about time we acknowledge Port Hope’s industrial past and celebrate both the river and the waterfront by developing a museum of Port Hope industry.
Other potential uses of the Centre Pier buildings could include:
- farmers’ market, supporting the “100 Mile Diet” or
local food movement;
convention or conference centre; there is no such facility within 50 km now; - Firefighters’ Museum; the present site is inadequate yet continues to draw many visitors each year;
- Centre of Excellence celebrating the uranium industry in Port Hope in partnership with government, educational institutions and Cameco.
2. Councillors are members of the Harbour Commission
I would support re-organization of the Port Hope Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent. I would also support sharing the details of leases, by which Cameco operates on municipally owned lands, with Port Hope ratepayers.
David Turck, candidate for Council, incumbent, Ward 1
Q-1. As a returning member of council and member of the Harbour Commission, would you support exploring the idea that the industrial buildings (some or all) on the Centre Pier could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community?
Q-2. As returning member of council explain your support for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. What do you know about the financial viability of this marina development.
1. I’m on record at a Committee of the Whole meeting back in the winter and also noted at your last roundtable discussion that I believe all the buildings should be removed. However, if I were presented with an economically sustainable plan for some of the buildings that would not involve taxpayers’ money or delay the Port Hope Area Initiative Cleanup, then I would re-explore my position.
2. If Port Hope is to have a viable waterfront to attract boaters and visitors that will want to stay the day, night, weekend etc. then we have to have a first class marina. I have been advised, by more than one person, that our good neighbours to the east have a substantial waiting list for their marina and I feel confident we could attract some of those people. Our community offers interesting shops and dining establishments and the Cameco Capital Theater making it very appealing to visitors. I also believe once the infrastructure has been carried out for the waterfront lands we then must embark on tendering out the new marina building(s), slips, fueling and sanitary stations to a corporation that is in the marina operating business. Port Hope would receive a fair return for this which would go towards reducing taxes and creating jobs.
So do I believe this is “viable and economically sound” YES!!
Ted Watts, candidate for Council, incumbent, Ward 1
Q-1. As a returning member of council and member of the Harbour Commission, would you support exploring the idea that the industrial buildings (some or all) on the Centre Pier could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community?
Q-2. As returning member of council explain your support for a 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street. What do you know about the financial viability of this marina development.
1. I would support the idea that the industrial buildings (some/or all) could be redeveloped to create a zone of economic prosperity and job creation for the community.
In a caveat to the above, however, I would remind everyone Council, Harbour Commission and any special interest goup(s) that these lands are owned by the Municipality and therefore the final decision rests with the people.
I am sure that many Public Meetings will be scheduled prior to final decision.
The waterfront plan as it exists in the illustration previously approved is very impressive and has been warmly accepted by those I have spoken to.
2. I am in full support of the 250 slip recreational marina at the foot of Mill Street.
In a survey compiled some time ago, it was illustrated that there is a shortage of boat slips between Toronto and Kingston. Given this information and with the growth of pleasure boating, fishing, and other water sports financial viability would be realized. Of course this depends on the marketing plan after the design is complete.
In a footnote, neighbouring municipalities are showing a shortage in excess of 200 slips.
Karen O'Hara did not reply to our questions.
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Ward 2 Council Candidates
Greg Burns, candidate for Council, Ward 2
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. We have at least seven years to work at re-defining the use of these buildings and adjacent property. What is the big hurry? Once they are torn down, they are irreplaceable.
The premature demolition of these buildings does not make any sense in two ways. The “greenest” building is the one that already exists, so why tear down something that has such incredible potential (economic and heritage). Secondly, open spaces create no sources of revenues, and are of little value from an “attraction” point of view. One needs to look no further than Toronto, Cambridge or Cleveland, Ohio to see what innovative thinking can do to a water or riverfront. These communities have become much more vibrant since the preservation and restoration of former mills and foundries.
Any healthy community must have a diversified business strategy, and Port Hope’s strategy relies heavily on the connection to its historical buildings and homes. Downtown businesses thrive during the summer due to the uniqueness of the downtown area and surrounding streetscapes. What is required is a comprehensive strategy that involves all parties (government, private enterprise, institutions) to work together, not at odds with each other. The Pier Project is a great example of what Port Hope “could be,” if various groups could rid themselves of the “blinders” and take a few risks.
2. We need to wait until comprehensive studies have been completed from an environmental assessment and building “integrity” point of view. If these studies show that the building structures are safe and sound, then full speed ahead to create a plan that will excite residents of Port Hope and visitors to our town (road and water). My vision for this site includes the following: unique restaurants, pubs, boutiques, exhibition space for the arts community, a museum (fire), a Centre of Excellence emphasizing the positive aspects of the nuclear industry (high level training as well as an interactive centre for the general public). The possibilities are endless, held back only by an unwillingness to try new things. This vibrant economic engine can be connected to the downtown core through the use of horse drawn buggies, walking tours of the heritage districts, etc.
3. In my opinion, the Harbour Commission is presently stacked in favour of political representation, not ordinary citizen involvement (7 vs. 2). Unless there is legislation that specifically requires this model of membership, I would like to see the percentage modified to reflect a “5 vs. 4” model in favour of citizen representation, to ensure that the “ordinary” citizen has a larger stake in the decisions made at this table. We need to reduce the political influence in the decision-making process.
With respect to transparency, it is not a simple matter of “being” transparent, you also need to “appear” that you are transparent. Therefore, I would like to see a broader strategy implemented as to how the public finds out about the meetings (agendas on the municipal website, posted in public facilities) and what the final outcomes were at each of the meetings (minutes posted on the website). Finally, a well promoted public meeting should be held early in 2011 to explain all of the changes that have occurred during the past few months related to the ownership of the waterfront lands (who actually owns what and where), and what the future plans are for each of the properties.
Jeff Gilmer, candidate for Council, Ward 2
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. The best outcome would be for the Centre Pier Buildings to be used as part of a waterfront initiative that helps to showcase Port Hope. This will depend upon a number of things. Firstly, the environmental assessment results would have to allow clean-up of these buildings at an affordable price. If it is decided to develop the area a comprehensive business plan will be required. Secondly, their development should involve both public and private funding for capital costs. It is my opinion that it would be best if future development of the pier buildings could carry their operational costs and not be burden on tax payers. 2. If elected, I have no problem with the Port Hope Harbour Commission meetings being held in public.
Mark Probert, candidate for Council, Ward 2
Q-1. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission ruled last spring that the buildings on the Centre Pier cannot be demolished as requested by the Harbour Commission until after the after the PHAI cleanup of the harbour. The cleanup will not be completed for at least five years. Do you agree that this is a golden opportunity to rethink the demolition decision currently being promoted by the HC and Council?
Q-2. Tell in your own words what you think would be the best outcome for some or all of the buildings on the Centre Pier.
Q-3. If elected, you will also become a member of the Harbour Commission. Would you support re-organization of the Harbour Commission to make it more accountable and transparent?
1. I have to examine the facts before developing any conclusions or ways to possibly use this opportunity.
2. Refer to above answer.
3. I always support more transparency in most of our organizations.
Cal Morgan did not reply to our questions.
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