Additional Questions for Ward 3

As you may know, we had a fantastic turnout for the candidates debates! This also meant that we did not have time to ask all the questions in one evening. Here are the additional answers from your wards 1 & 2 candidates: *please notes that we did not receive responses from some candidates.

1.What ideas do you have, or ideas that you’ve heard from others which you would support, to encourage both day-trip and overnight tourism in the township?

Chris Shier: My ideas for day trips and overnight tourism are to keep promoting what we already have. 

Agri tourism such as programs like "farm to table"  would work excellent here in Brock as we have a huge farming community with a wide variety.  Promoting lake Simcoe year round as a destination stop.  Having better signage on the highways promoting stops in out towns and villages for picnic shelters. Supporting our fairs and festivals with advertising to help promote them.  As for overnight stays its a little harder as we don't have resorts already set up, but the farm to table could always be promoted as a weekend getaway and I would be in full support of anything along those lines. 

2. Some properties have significant amounts of accumulated junk and debris that may create health and safety concerns. What specific actions would you take to ensure these properties are addressed and property standards are enforced?

Chris Shier: The action i would take to address properties that have significant junk and debris would be supporting our bylaw officials,  if they have the support they need to get these properties cleaned up i believe action will happen.  If they need bylaws changed to make this happen I would help change them. These properties are not just a hazard they bring down property value and gives Brock Township a bad look. Our bylaw officer(s ) get paid to do a job and we need to support them in doing their job. If they continue to not do their job well then maybe we need new bylaw officers. 

3. How would you cut red tape and lessen permit times and costs for entrepreneurs and businesses to invest in Cannington?

Chris Shier: well its really not red tape that is the issue its commutation and support from the Township.  The Township needs to do better when explaining how the permit process works, they need to explain what information is needed and why, even help with filling the permit as sometimes it can be confusing why you can do,  or build certain things but not others. In my own experience with a building permit it was almost 2 years to get the final stamp when it should have been just a few months, it was delayed because of commutation ever time I figured I had it filled they wanted something else and this is not acceptable.  

4. When you think about the kind of community you want to live in and leave for future generations, what does that community look like to you?

Chris Shier: The type of community I want to live in and leave to future generations.

I want to live in a community that is safe, welcoming and vibrant. I want to live in and leave a community that people can afford and want to move to. I want a community that has jobs and recreation, I want a community that everyone would be proud about. 

5. How will you ensure that residents can reach you when they need to discuss a concern?

Chris Shier: How will residents be able to reach me? Well I am self employed and 90 percent of my business is within Brock Township,  I'll have my cell number, email,  Facebook messenger all available all the time. Plus with the fact that I work close to or within Brock I'm usually only 20 minutes away from any part of Brock township so being self employed gives be the advantage of leaving work to meet with residents when its convenient to them.

6. Before increasing property taxes or introducing additional fees, what areas of municipal spending would you examine for potential savings? Can you identify specific types of spending, programs, contracts, or operational costs where you believe the municipality should be looking for efficiencies?

Chris Shier: i would look at all of them i would ask for a line by line review of all spending and contracts before increasing taxes. We pay enough in taxes and I will not support raising taxes without a purpose. 

7. When elected, what specific actions will you take during your term to improve the way our community is maintained and how bylaws and regulations are enforced?

Chris Shier: This is similar to question # 2 I would make sure our bylaw officers have the tools and support they need to enforce bylaws.  For community maintenance again staff needs the proper tools/equipment so they can do their jobs.  I would support them but not interfere with them as I would trust that they want to do their jobs however if they don't do their jobs they might have to look at getting a different job. Being self employed if I don't work at my jobs or do a good job I don't get anymore and that is what I expect from inside and outdoor staff.