Welcome to 2015

Posted on January 3, 2015 by Ross Sutherland

The new Council has just finished its first month with two meetings and one committee of the whole under its belt.  There is so much to learn. But, the discussions were interesting with a healthy variety of opinions and no major disagreements.

Community Involvement

Council agreed to hold a second public meeting on the proposed Johnson Point 14 unit condominium development on Loughborough Lake.  More importantly, council voted to give six weeks’ notice before the meeting.  This is the longest notice ever given before a public meeting and I hope an indication that this Council will support more community input on sub-division and condominium developments.  Increased notice is only fair: developer’s proposals have usually been in the works for years and residents need time to review the multiple technical reports and make arraignments to attend the public meetings.

I proposed increased public input into the budget. Unfortunately, this proposal failed to gain support due to the tight budget schedule and uncertainly on how to increase public consultation on the budget.  I will raise the issue again early in the 2016-17 budget process.  If you have a project you think deserves support in this budget, or an idea on where savings could be made, please contact me.

On a related issue, Council agreed to public input into the Township’s strategic plan. The Plan will be developed in late spring or early summer.  It will highlight five priority areas for the Township during the next four years.

Renewable Energy

The Ontario Power Authority (OPA) is reviewing the FIT (Feed-In-Tariff) program which has funded many of the solar installations in the township.  Council agreed to send a letter to the OPA stating our community’s support for the FIT program. The letter will encourage expansion of the program to allow owners to have more than one FIT installation and to allow other community organizations, such as Conservation Authorities and charities, to receive a bonus for installing solar panels.  Council also asked for more information on how municipalities can provide low interest loans to residents for energy conservation measures.  These are small but useful steps to making South Frontenac a carbon neutral township.

Major Issues for the New Year

In addition to the budget and the Johnson Point development a few other issues of interest are coming forward:

  • Partially Maintained Township Roads

There are at least 45 township-owned roads that receive only partial maintenance, including 14 without snow plowing.  A consultant’s report has been prepared which will soon be released.  I have proposed that residents on these roads meet to review the report and make suggestions on how the Township could improve service.

  • Sydenham Water System

This year a decision will be made on long term contracts to run Sydenham’s water system and there will be a review of the fee schedule. I would like to see this discussion take place in the context of a broader plan for Sydenham’s improvement.  The town’s development over the next decade and the future of the water plant are closely linked.

  • New Initiatives

I hope that there will be at least one proposal for a solar farm over the next year. We will need a community plan to facilitate and control these developments.  I would also expect one of the many possible subdivisions in the various hamlets to become a concrete proposal.  There is a growing interest in an expanded bike and hiking trail system that could help the local economy and improve the health of the community. And, there is a need in our township for more seniors’ housing and residential facilities for adults with disabilities.  Hopefully we can develop a solid proposal to start the multi-year process for increasing such services.

I would like to know your opinion on any of the above issues as well as any other concerns you may have.  Please give me a call, 613-532-7846, or send me a return email.

I hope your New Year is happy and healthy. I look forward to seeing you around the township.

Ross.

 

 

 

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New Council to be Sworn-in

Posted on November 30, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

On Tuesday, December 2, the new South Frontenac Council is sworn in.

The past month we have been busy “learning the ropes”: meeting procedures, the budget process, who to contact for what, conflicts of interest and a multitude of necessary bits of information.  I have also spent my time reaching out to members of the community. Some of you have expressed an interest in being kept up to date on council proceedings.  Others are interested in specific concern: increased resident participation; a more responsive council; addressing climate change; protecting and improving our natural environment, particularly lakes; more senior’s housing and housing for adults with disabilities; creating a biking network; and improving out partially maintained roads.

Public Notice for Comment on New Subdivisions

I have suggested that for subdivision plans and larger developments the current two week notice required under law is too short.  These project have been in the works a long time, often for years, with the developer preparing their proposal. It only seems reasonable to give local residents a longer time to comment on a proposal. I have given notice of motion to give the public 6 weeks before a public meeting to comment on the Johnson Point development.  I will follow his up with a proposal for a more general policy for these types of developments.

Public Comment on the Budget

I have also raised the idea that the budget process would benefit from an opening where members of the public can comment on a draft of the budget before a final decision is made.  There is no opening in the current budget process.  I will raise this issue in December, and see if Council is agreeable to try it this year, if not, then for next.

Climate Change and Bikes

I have talked with numerous people about bringing together a committee to consider ways that the Township can reduce its carbon footprint, both through encouraging more renewable energy sources and by increasing conservation.  Similarly, there is an interest in creating a network of bike routes in the area.  If you know of anyone who is interested in working on these projects please contact me.  I hope to have a meeting within the first few months of the New Year.

Partially Maintained Roads

There has been discussion of standardizing maintenance on partially-maintained township roads.  An update was given to the last council in September.  If you are interested in this topic I can send you a PDF of that report, it is very short.  This will be followed in the new term by a consultant’s report and more staff information.  I have suggested that early in the process residents and road committees on these roads be brought together to comment on how the township should approach our 45-50 partially maintained roads.

Of course there are many more issues.  I would appreciate your comments on these and anything else you think is important.

If I do not get a chance to talk with you before the holiday, have a great Christmas and happy New Year.

 

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Thank you Loughborough

Posted on November 2, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

Thank you Loughborough voters for electing me to Council. It is privilege and a challenge.  I am excited to get started.

During the campaign numerous ideas came forward that require few township resources, but could work with support from council and the involvement of local residents. There is a group who sees a need in the township for a group home for adults with disabilities.  As part of our energy plan we could set a goal of having the township become a net exporter of electricity through a combination of supporting more renewable energy installations and facilitating more energy conservation.  Some residents wanted to work on identifying and publicizing a network of bike trails in the area, others on beautifying Sydenham village.  Some discussed ideas on how the Township could work with the many lane and lake associations to help reduce their costs and make their jobs a bit easier.  This is a sampling of the possibilities.

It was wonderful to see so many good ideas come forward and if we work together on them over the next few years they will help maintain South Frontenac as a vibrant rural community. I expect that what projects go ahead will largely depend on where there is energy and support in the community.

One of the first issues coming before the new Council is the 17 lot condominium development on the north shore of Loughborough Lake (Johnson Point) and next to a provincially significant wetland. Council’s decision on this project will be important to development on our lakes over the next few years.  I would appreciate any input on this project.  Please email me or call 613-532-7846.

Once again, thank you for the opportunity to sit on South Frontenac council. I look forward to the work ahead.  Ross.

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Sydenham Lake Association Questionnaire

Posted on October 8, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

The Sydenham Lake Association asked all candidates to answer the following questions.  I have posted my responses and I think they are relevant to many concerns of other lake associations.

QUESTION 1

Briefly outline your platform, and why Sydenham Lake residents should vote for you.

ANSWER: As a lake resident I am very aware of the value of lakes to our community and the work that is needed to keep them healthy and their surrounding communities vital. Having now canvassed most residents on Sydenham Lake I feel that my priorities – clean water for swimming and drinking, a healthy biosphere for fishing and ecological diversity, respectful accommodation for various lake uses – are similar to many on the Lake.

We live in a wonderful township that most residents value for its rural-small town character and beautiful healthy outdoor spaces. Maintaining this balance through: good planning; respect for the environment; provision of good local services; development appropriate to our joint vision of South Frontenac as a rural township; sound financial accountability and affordability; and, an open, inclusive Council, are key to my approach to municipal politics.

In a small township like ours, with many active community organizations, from the Lions Club to lake associations to renewable energy cooperatives, it is a priority for me to keep Council as open as possible, to solicit community input in decisions and make sure that all ideas are fully and respectfully considered.

QUESTION 2

What distinguishes you from the other candidates?

ANSWER: I have solid interpersonal skills attained through 50 years in community organizations and my professional practice as a nurse. These include valuable skills at listening, respectfully exchanging ideas to develop workable solutions that involve a variety of needs, and being open to new ideas.

I have a long-standing belief in open, inclusive government; addressing issues of the environment, both in my personal life and in policy, including working for land stewardship and helping set up the recycling program in South Frontenac; and managing larger organizations, like the Labour Council of Toronto, with a million dollar budget, and chairing the Ontario Health Coalition for 12 years; an organization with thousands of volunteers involved in community activities, a 400,000 dollar budget and no expenditure overruns.

I recognize the value of lake associations to our community. I will work hard to include them as an integral part of council deliberations and find ways the Council can make facilitate the work of these associations. For example, I was surprised to hear that more than a third of your yearly budget, money raised from lake residents, is spent with insurance payments. A closer relationship between Council and lake associations may be able to help reduce this and other operating costs.
QUESTION 3 

What do you think are the Lake’s biggest challenges, and how would you address them.

ANSWER: Lakes face challenges that are both broad and local. Climate change and invasive species are changing the biological make up of lakes. For example, we have seen the recent arrival of zebra mussels, milfoil and, on land, black-legged ticks. In the short-term these problems are difficult to solve, but steps can be taken to mitigate and educate for adaptation. The Township needs to include the reduction of carbon emissions as one of the factors in all of its decision making to help address environmental pressures from global climate change.

Long-term municipal planning needs to reflect population growth and development pressures on lakes. Water quality related to phosphates and overdevelopment can be addressed through close monitoring and good development controls that are improved and refined in working together with lake and road associations.

QUESTION 4

With decreased government funding, the stewardship of our lakes have become increasingly undertaken by organizations such as ours.  How do you envision the relationship between council and well-organized and established lake associations?

ANSWER: Council, and Councillors, must recognize the crucial role that your Association plays in the well-being of Sydenham Lake and in the vitality of the Township for the benefit of residents and maintenance of tourism. Consultation needs to be an automatic priority on all relevant issues, including a respectful exchange of ideas. The township should also look at low-cost ways to make the work of lake associations easier and more effective.

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Campaign Donations

Posted on October 6, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

An essential part of open and accountable municipal government is knowing who has donated to particular candidates before you vote. Most of the cost of my campaign will be covered by our family.  As of October 6, 2014, the following supporters have generously given to my campaign.  Unless noted all addresses are in South Frontenac Township.

Rob Maxwell and Marcelina Ponte, Mink Trap Lane – $100

Claudine Rodenberg, Railton Road – $35

John Sherbino and Laurie Gordon, Canoe Lake Road – $100

Linda Penrose, Desert Creek Lane – $200

Linda and Mike Campbell, Keely Road – $100

Peter Tabuns, Monteith Avenue, Toronto – $500

 

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South Frontenac: Energy Producer

Posted on September 20, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

The first all-candidates meeting was held in Perth Road on Sept 17. Among other topics discussed was expanding South Frontenac’s economy.

Expanding the economy in a small rural community can take many forms, but a good place to start is recognizing one of our strengths: we have a higher percentage of skilled trades living in our area than the provincial average. Most residents also have a strong desire to maintain the Township’s rural character.

Since the all-candidates meeting I have canvassed more residents with interesting local economic development initiatives. One family, who has a lovely house with multiple solar panels, keeps close track of his electricity consumption and production. He uses electricity for all his household needs, including air conditioning and heating. Over the last couple of years he has produced 6,000 more kilowatt-hours of electricity per year than he consumes.  Thanks to his solar panels, he receives over 800 dollars income every month for his energy production.

Just down the road another property owner has been approached by three multinational solar farm companies who promised to pay him a million dollars to install tens of acres of solar installations. The property owner had questions about the security of payment and decommissioning but is interested in using his scrub land for a solar farm.  I have put him in touch with Wintergreen Energy Cooperative, a local solar development cooperative to discuss some other options.

Our area also has many families doing amazing work on local energy conservation, raising the possibility that our Township could become a net exporter of electricity.   This would lower hydro costs, create many skilled jobs and increase revenue to the area. It could be an amazing demonstration of the benefits of decentralized rural power production coupled with energy conservation.

I have also talked with a number of farmers who are starting to make significant income from local market gardening.

These area initiatives are economic development that works well with the rural character of the riding. They utilize many of the skills we already have, increase Township revenue and help us meet some of the challenges we face in the near future.

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Speeding and Community Safety

Posted on September 8, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

One recurring issue raised be people when I canvass is speeding.  It is been voiced on Keely Road, Railton Road, Hogan Road, Bedford Road, Stage Coach Road, Campbell Road and Freeman Road.  I expect to hear it in others areas as I continue my door-to-door trip around the district.

The problem is fairly simple.  A fair number of families live along these roads.  They have children and dogs which play in their yards, and the adults often like to walk, bike or run along their road. Speeding cars make all these activities more dangerous and increase noise.

While some roads, like Rutledge, Sydenham and Perth Road, are rated for higher speeds and they are not too far from these 50-60 kilometer per hour roads, it seems that some people cannot wait the extra few minutes to get there.

The most common request is for more police and speed traps to slow down drivers.  While this would help, it is a limited option. We are only have a small number of officers on duty in the township at any point in time and, with the projected 30% increase in policing costs, and the large number of roads, it is difficult to use more police time for this kind of duty.

Another approach is to install various traffic calming measures like speed bumps or barriers that make it harder for cars to speed.  A less invasive step might be to score the roads, like they do along the edge of major highways, which help bring people’s attention back to their driving.  This, along with more signage, including the “your speeding” displays, would help.

To me, this is one of those problems that is not easily legislated, similar to the goal of having fewer people smoking.  We need a community discussion, with practical leadership from Council, to make our roads safer.

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Voting, Roads and Energy Sustainability

Posted on August 11, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

Are you on the voters list?

This year the South Frontenac municipal election vote will be electronic: you will only be able to vote either by phone or by computer over the internet  You can vote if you 18 years old or older, a Canadian citizen, a resident or property owner in South Frontenac Township; and if you are on the voters list.

You can find out if you are on the voters list by visiting the following web site:

http://www.voterlookup.ca

You will need your address, name and birthday or you tax roll number

If you are not on the voters list call 613-376-3027 for more information on how to get on the voters list. You need to go to the Township office in Sydenham and fill in a form to be placed on the list.

With hotly contested races for Township mayor and for the two council positions in Loughborough District this is an important election.  It will set the direction for the Township for the next four years.  Please get on the voters list and vote.

 

Road Classifications and Maintenance.

I have had questions on road classification and legal minimum maintenance requirements.  For those interested in this issue I have included a link to the provincial regulation detailing road classifications and provincially mandated minimum maintenance requirements:

http://www.spiao.ca/documents/MinimumMaintenanceStandardsUpdate.pdf

Also, some road associations are not aware that the Township has a program to provide funding to help road associations upgrade their private lanes.  The flowing is a link to information on that program:

Click to access Private_Lane_App-2014.pdf

 

Energy Innovation in South Frontenac

I am sure that all of us have noticed the many photovoltaic solar energy installations that are visible from the main roads.  But when you canvass the smaller lanes you realize that these highly visible ones are just the tip of the iceberg.  I have come across many solar water heating and power production installations, private windmills, geothermal installations, and a wide variety of innovative energy conservation initiatives that individual families have undertaken to both save money and help reduce global warming.

I have discussed with a few people the possibility of organizing a township wide energy conservation renewables tour to show case what is going on in South Frontenac.  Families who have working conservation and energy alternatives would volunteer to open their homes, like a garden tours but for energy technologies. These individuals could show others what can be done and explain how it works.  This demonstration of possibilities would dovetail nicely with new provincial legislation allowing municipalities to provide loans to individuals and businesses to make their buildings more energy-efficient.  This program, as well as reducing the Townships carbon emissions and saving money, would provide significant work to local contractors.

 

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A Strong Local Economy

Posted on July 28, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

A strong local economy that respects the environment and the rural character of South Frontenac is an important goal for many people who I have canvassed.  I came across an article on the CBC website about the rise of cycling tourism around the world and how Canada is missing out.  The benefits they cite include jobs and income in small villages. South Frontenac is ideally situated for this expansion in our cycling tourism. We have many diverse and beautiful existing and possible routes and it would be relatively straightforward to hook into Ontario’s waterfront trail that is being developed.

Other ideas that have been raised are: to expand agriculture that serves a local market; to increase our production of solar power; and, to expand our web-based businesses – though this would require more and better internet access which we need. I look forward to learning about the many other ideas South Frontenac Residents have for improving our local economy.

I have attached the link to the CBC story on cycling tourism:

http://www.cbc.ca/1.2717129

 

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Campaign Update – July 10

Posted on July 10, 2014 by Ross Sutherland

I have just finished the first few weeks of campaigning for councillor on South Frontenac Township council.

What a diverse and wonderful area we live in.  I have meet residents involved in lake associations, friends-of-lakes groups, renewable energy cooperatives, food banks, local palliative care, trade unions and volunteer fire and emergency services.  I know these are just a few of the many volunteer groups that make up the fabric of township.

In my discussions so far many issues and needs have been raised including: better equipment, road upgrades, better cell phone and internet access, and support for families that are having difficulties.  I am sure that as the campaign goes on there will be many other legitimate suggestions that would improve our community.

The heart of our political process is to understand all of these issues and work together on solutions.  I look forward to these discussions and challenges.  This process is made a lot easier and more effective by the many community-involved people we have in our township.

One strength of municipal governments is that they are the closest to people.  They have the potential to be the most participatory and democratic.

I am struck by some of the low cost suggestions on how we might use the Township’s existing resources to help community organizations: for instance, by facilitating bulk purchasing for common needs, like road sand and salt, by providing information on how to intervene in upper level government decisions, like around cell tower placement and lack of service, and by bringing together residents interested in our community energy program.

I am excited to meet more people and hear their ideas on how the Township can work with them to improve South Frontenac.

 

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