Rick Green (for MAYOR) – One of the issues I ran on in 2008 was the non-transparency of the Township property portfolio. On my initiative it is now available for the public to view through the Township Real Estate Division. Yes, the process to sell municipal lands (IF they should be sold) should be open to public scrutiny, BUT they should be a part of a process to enhance that public asset value.
Petrina Arnason – YES. I strongly support more consultation and vetting of the sale of “surplus†municipal lands as they are a finite community resource which should not be liquidated without broader public dialogue about other options. More particularly, I believe that “best practices†need to be maintained in order to ensure that we are not selling environmentally sensitive properties or green space as per the Sustainability Charter.
Solon Bucholz – YES. The past few years have shown us that the current council and mayor have little regard for the community’s input when it comes to municipal land sales. If it were not for informed and concerned citizens like me, lands such as the site of the Mclellan Park would already be sold and we would have no options to save them after the fact. We are already losing lands of significant ecological value which make our community so unique. The sale of municipal lands needs to be open to public scrutiny in advance and if deemed worthy of disposing, we need to ensure the township is also marketing them effectively and for maximum value.
David Davis – Yes. That is transparency.
Bev Dornan – No. Initial discussions of land are in camera as there are legal issues but the discussions could lead to the purchase price of lands going up if the plans are always public and therefore cost the taxpayers more.
Zoshia Ettenberg – Yes. My inclination is to say yes unless there are compelling reasons not to.
Charlie Fox – No, this is fraught with problems and issues. It sounds like a great idea but in fact a much closer look at the issue and the factors surrounding it indicates it is not a good process. Further in there are rules for land sales in the Local Government Act. That would reflect negatively on this decision making process.
Clint Lee – Yes, I am a strong advocate of community input in our decision making process.
Patricia Lessard – YES, Municipal lands are the property of the residents of the Township, entrusted to our Council for its safe keeping.
Jackie Mandzak – Yes. In my mind, municipal lands are assets of the citizens of the Township. While there can be good arguments for their sale, by allowing these lands to be disposed of behind closed doors the lack of transparency leaves open the possibility of misuse of a public asset.
Kevin Mitchell – YES. No land should be offered for sale pending a public hearing and open house opportunity. This land belongs to the residents and they should have a say in its future.
Scott Nichols – Yes. The Township should not be selling any lands currently held as the value will only increase in years to come. Township held land is money in the bank.
Kim Richter – YES. These are publicly owned lands bought by taxpayer dollars and the public has a right to know if they are up for sale and what they are being sold for.