In an effort to promote discussion on key issues during the current election period, we are giving candidates the opportunity to answer a number of questions that may be of interest to local voters.
Everyone receives the same questions, and their answers are presented with minimal editing for format purposes only.
Here is the candidate profile for Prince Edward County Council Candidate for Bloomfield/Hallowell Mark Henry.
Election day is October 26th.
First and Last Name
Mark Henry
What position are you seeking in the upcoming municipal election on October 26?
Councillor, Ward 2 Prince Edward County
Question 1 – Why are you running and what are your main priorities if elected/re-elected?
I am running because I have 7 grandchildren growing up in the County and my hope is that with time, they will see a future here in the County. In pursuit of that goal I plan to focus on three areas; 1) Keeping the County farmer-friendly, 2) Some consideration of the environment in every decision Council makes and 3) To explore options that make the County more affordable such as; a) Fiscal restraint aimed at decreasing property taxes, b) Encouraging food related value-added industries with good paying jobs using agricultural components we already grow or could easily grow and, c) By considering new housing models where our young people could own a home in the County
Question 2 – How do you balance budgetary restraint with continuing increases in many areas of the municipal budget?
With a closer look at where the County spends money there may need to be some cuts in non-essential services, some scheduling of asset sales and the consideration of new revenue streams, such as quarry fees and perhaps an empty house tax or a way to tax cottagers a little higher than full time residents of the county.
Question 3 – Infrastructure projects are a huge strain on local budgets, especially when it comes to water/wastewater. How can we address/reduce these costs moving forward and mitigate the impact for ratepayers/taxpayers?
This may be where the farmer in me kicks in. An assessment of what we have to work with and, what we can do with what we have, will be my starting point. I think we may well have had enough externally sourced studies. Now might just be the time we do the best we can with the facts as they actually exist so we can act in the most cost effective way we can. Keeping in mind that our population growth models need to be conservative and that we don’t really have the budget to do much.
Question 4 – What measures can the municipality take to address the issues of affordability and housing security?
Currently the rental fees charged across the County, would make me very concerned about my own housing security. There aren’t many easy answers here. However I would like to explore some coop housing ideas where tenants become property owners.
Question 5 – Homelessness has become a major issue for most local communities. What would you do to address this issue and what needs to happen to have a meaningful impact?
There are a troubling number of people facing homelessness in the region. It’s hard to think of where to start once someone is out, on the street. The emotional toll of living on the street would crush my ability to think rationally – I know I would be more likely to be reckless with myself – my health, my sense even, of right and wrong. I don’t think you can force anyone to do anything in Canada but having some avenues open for consideration might be a start; Farm work will always be here – some of it with housing, all of it with a degree of satisfaction and the potential for skills attainment. Remote work sites free of the distractions might be another possibility Armed forces work in the area of disaster/environmental remediation might be yet another area to explore. I would like to think that some pride of accomplishment might ease the shock of homelessness. A truly pernicious state of being, my step-son, who lives and works in Kingston, regularly, engages with people on the street. He tells me that many of us are just one or 2 shock events away from similar circumstances. His observations remain truly sobering. They make me realize that those less fortunate need our support, empathy and ‘out of the box’ opportunities to build hope again. Doing nothing solves nothing.
Question 6 – What message do you want the voter to know about you and your campaign and your priorities for the next four years?
I am thrilled that there are actually a number of young people running for the two positions in ward 2. As one constituent told me ‘it’s finally a living wage’. We really should have decreased the number of councillors before wages were increased. But now it has become a position almost anyone can consider pursuing on a full-time basis. Everyone should (and now can) consider running. This election has become a very healthy process of selection as a result. If elected I will try to apply a lifetime of knowledge and experiences to finding workable, cost effective solutions to our many challenges. We live in a very clearly defined geographical space. In our space we have become a destination for fine dining, exceptional wines, with large and small scale (consider Fiddlehead Farms) farm operations of note. We have nature preserves (such as the south shore) and nationally recognized events such as the County Marathon and the works of our arts community – the Radiator Collective comes to mind! All of this seems a little more possible because we have been gifted with a frankly sublime, empowering ‘sense of place’. This is an exciting community to cherish, support and develop further. It is a place where we can continue to drive excellence. Over the next 4 years I hope I can convince many including my grandchildren that, not only is this a very cool place to live, it is a place where they can imagine and realize their futures.
