TimminsToday asked all candidates questions ahead of the Oct. 24 municipal election. Below are the responses from Ward 5 (Timmins) candidate Andrew Marks.
Timmins' population is declining, with another drop reported in the most recent census. What can be done within the municipality's scope to attract and retain new residents?
The City of Timmins needs to lead from the front and position Timmins as the centre of northeastern Ontario. We need to support the Timmins Economic Development Corporation’s “Timmins Regional Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot”. We need to welcome new immigrants to our community to grow it. We need to support housing development by making it attractive to developers to build housing for seniors, low income and family units. The city can actively put in the infrastructure and partner with housing developers to make this happen. More people in more homes equals a larger tax base, which means the city’s budget is spread over more taxpayers. More people result in healthier local businesses from grocery stores to car dealerships. It is one big circle, more people will lead to enhanced city services and a better quality of life, ensuring that more people want to live and stay in Timmins.
Communication and transparency have been identified as a concern by the public and by The Chamber. What does municipal transparency mean to you?
Municipal transparency means city hall has nothing to hide and that everything is open to all residents. Communication can always be enhanced at all levels, both internally and externally. We should strive to establish the city as trustworthy, credible and the primary source of information on city programs and services. The city also has to reach a broader public audience by utilizing the most effective communication tools targeting specific demographics. This means using our website, SMS alerts or a notification system for major projects or disruptions, various social media channels and more traditional communication methods (radio and newspaper). The city touches and affects everyone’s life and we have to ensure messaging is clear, efficient and where people are at.
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SEE: Advance voting opens Oct. 11
Everyone is feeling the financial impacts of inflation and the cost of living is rising faster than most residents' salary increases. How can the municipality help residents, especially those with a low income or seniors, through this period?
The City of Timmins has many options to help residents during these trying financial times. The city can easily offer a six-month transit fare reduction for all residents to access Timmins Transit. The city can enhance the tax increment rebate program for seniors. The city can keep the water and sewer rates the same as this past year with no increases. The city can also direct all departments to come in with a zero per cent budget for the upcoming year. I know heat, hydro, gas and insurance rates go up and I know that union-negotiated contracts also increase wages annually, but the city can direct departments to find savings and efficiencies so that taxes don’t increase. Also, the city should undertake a core services review to determine efficiencies and ensure the services and programs it offers are required and/or needed. Remember that the Timmins museum is free, the Timmins library has books, computers to access and videos to take out and is free, the Timmins trail system is free, the skating oval in the winter is free, and are neighbourhood parks are free to use.
What do you want voters to know about you?
It has been my honour to serve the residents of Ward 5 these past four years. Thank you! There is still work to be done to make the City of Timmins a better place to live, to work and to enjoy a quality of life that is second to none. I have lived in Timmins all my life and the opportunity to represent the residents of Ward 5 around the council table is something that I do not take lightly. This huge responsibility requires someone with experience, dedication and vast community knowledge to ensure we continue to grow our great city. My vision for Timmins is a safe, inclusive, prosperous and proud community. By working together, we can achieve this. When re-elected on Oct. 24 I will continue to work hard for you.
Read Marks' candidate profile here.
The other Ward 5 candidates are Steve Black, Rick Dubeau, Veronica Farrell, Caroline Martel, James McMahon, Kristin Murray, Cory Robin, Neil Siblall and Ed Stecewicz.
The municipal election is Oct. 24. Advance voting is being done online and runs Oct. 11-24. In-person polls are open on election day.
