Candidate Response – Stewart Strathearn

subscribe-to-newsletter

Positing Running For: Ward 3 Councillor

 

I am running for Midland Town Council because…

I am running for 2014 Midland Council to work cooperatively and constructively with fellow Councillors to make Midland once again the economic hub of North Simcoe.  I’ll use the skills I developed, building an internationally recognized business to help bring Midland jobs, opportunities, prosperity; a community where our children and grandchildren have a choice to live work and play.

My vision for Midland is…

My vision for Midland is a community with fair taxes, jobs, and a sound economy; a vibrant, prosperous and generous community, a community that our children and grandchildren will be proud and able to call home.

I will accomplish this vision by focusing on the following three things…

To accomplish this vision I will:  

Make Midland a tax and policy friendly town that is accountable and competitive in delivering services.   

Invest in Midland’s growth by actively supporting the Economic Development Corporation as it aggressively markets Midland to the world. 

Recruit talented citizen advisors that work with Council and our neighbours to find innovative ways to deliver community services while being diligent in where & how we spend.

Describe your top three accomplishments that make you a good candidate for Council. For current or previous members of council, please focus on your top three in that role.

I, with two partners started and built, a nationally recognized company with locations in 5 Countries and worldwide sales.  We developed and manufactured technologies that significantly advanced the science of fish and wildlife monitoring globally. 

Throughout all of this I married the love of my life, raised a son of whom I am very proud, and spend time doting on my grandson.   Family time and a strong sense of community matter to me. 

Investing time, effort, expertise and resources attending and influencing outcomes at most regular & ad hoc meetings of Council over the last 4 years to get midland back to work, to fully maximize her gifts/potential  and to reengage residents in a dialogue where Midland matters, residents voices matter and getting involved matters.

candidates-responses-banner


Read Other Candidate Responses:

Mayor

Gord McKay (incumbent) | James Downer | Sid Hutchinson | Stephan Kramp | Jonathan Reid

Deputy Mayor

Malcolm Dilts | Ruth Hackney | Bob Jeffery | Doug Reed | Mike Ross

Ward 1

Jim Attwood | Scott Campbell | Patricia File | Andrew King | George MacDonald | Jonathan Main | Steven Marks | Zena Pendlebury | Drew Plaxton

Ward 2

Glen Canning | Jack Charlebois | Jack Contin | Carole Nichols | Cody Oschefski | Ute Schmid-Jones

Ward 3

Frieda Baldwin | Stewart Strathearn

5 Comments on "Candidate Response – Stewart Strathearn"

  1. Dear Stewart, did your business have anything to do with Genetically Modified Fish? Sincerely Bonnie Hanmore

    • Stewart strathearn | September 24, 2014 at 9:22 pm | Reply

      Lotek Wireless Inc. Designs, manufactures, and sells tracking systems to follow fish and wildlife. These may have been used on GM fish but I am not aware of it.

      Cheers!

      Stewart

  2. Marilyn McCutcheon | September 24, 2014 at 10:15 am | Reply

    Hello Stuart,

    Please provide your ideas with regard to the development of the Unimin area. Much has been made of the impact this development will have on the economic future of MIdland and I am interested in your input.

    Secondly, what do you feel are the road blocks presently deterring new business from coming to Midland?

    In what areas would you cut municipal spending?

    Thank you for your time,

    Marilyn McCutcheon

    • Midland Community | October 1, 2014 at 2:14 pm | Reply

      Hi Marilyn,

      Do you want us to submit this question for the Candidates Meet and Greet?

    • Hello Marilyn,

      The conceptual plan (http://www.midland.ca/Pages/Midland-Bay-Landing.aspx) for Midland Bay Landing calls for a mixed-use development to be comprised of commercial institutional and residential building. It is a sound basis for the development. In my opinion the site must have a 4-season attraction with attached hotel. There must be appealing streets that are pedestrian friendly with the entire waterfront being a public mall / walkway. Completing both the environmental assessments and the Official Plan Amendments with associated zoning, gives developers a clear understanding of what is available and what the Town desires. The Town currently has 5 expressions of interest from developers for consideration.

      Midland’s taxes, the highest in Simcoe County, are a major roadblock for new business. Over regulation and red tape is also major deterrent. Getting permits can be both tedious and exasperating in terms of the time it takes to complete the process and the terms imposed to obtain approval of plans. If Midland is to attract more ‘new economy’ business like Shop City and Lab X, it will need to invest heavily in communications infrastructure upgrades e.g. fiber optic capacity.

      KPMG indicated there are approximately 58 opportunities worth $1.75 million. Reducing staff by 26 persons through attrition represents a good start. MPUC and Midland spend approximately $1.2MM & $1.8MM on Administration. This was not factored into the $1.75 million. I would look there for duplication and sharing opportunities. Looking at better models for our emergency services can yield big savings. Police & Fire consume in excess of 40% of the tax levy. Spending increased 107% from 2000 to 2010 while inflation increased ~30% and population increase was negligible. Looking back at what it cost in 2000 versus today and analysing where & why increases occurred will yield many more answers as to where cuts can and should occur.

      I trust this helps.

      Stewart Strathearn

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published.


*